UTEP vs. Jacksonville State Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 0: Gamecocks Seek 1st Win in FBS
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks play their first FBS game following a move from FCS, and they host a CUSA opponent to begin the season. Read on for our UTEP vs. Jacksonville State picks based on the best college football odds.
This matchup between UTEP and Jacksonville State is one of two games on the Week 0 college football slate between conference opponents.
UTEP’s Dana Dimel is in his sixth season as head coach, and after starting the first two years with identical 1-11 records, the Miners have won five-plus games in back-to-back seasons. The Miners look to end the longest drought of any FBS team without a bowl win (their last victory in a bowl game was in 1967).
Jacksonville State had plenty of success at the FCS level, winning 10 conference championships since 1996 and making a National Championship Game appearance in 2015 (losing to North Dakota State 37-10). The Gamecocks went 9-2 last year and a perfect 5-0 in conference play to be named champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Here is our best UTEP vs. Jacksonville State prediction and college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State prediction: Week 0
Jacksonville State ML (-104 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Not intended for use in MA
Affiliate Disclosure: Sportsbook Review may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook
Visit our Google News page and click "Follow" (⭐) for the latest odds, picks and news!
Jacksonville State plays a lightning-fast, up-tempo style under Rich Rodriguez, who has been a head coach at three different Power Five schools. The Gamecocks return plenty of experience at all the most critical positions for their unique offense, with Zion Webb back under center (1,737 passing yards and 10 touchdowns last year) and ready to hand off to the electric running back tandem of Anwar Lewis and Ron Wiggins, who combined for 1,279 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns.
UTEP backers will cite that this matchup plays into the team’s strengths, as it returns a front six defense that was second in the conference in rush defense (136.0 yards per game) and first in total defense (352.9). However, UTEP struggled with up-tempo offenses like Jacksonville State’s and took a step back from its 88th SP+ ranking in 2021, the highest in that metric in 13 years. All-conference tackle Jeremiah Byers transferred to Florida State, and while the roster has experience with eight defensive players who played 200-plus snaps last year, it is also a roster that will take time to gel in other areas as Dimel brought in 25 junior college transfers.
Between the coaching advantage the Gamecocks have, and with Webb being granted a waiver to compete in his seventh season, Jacksonville State should have enough experience to handle the pressure and excitement of its first FBS home game. UTEP does have a significant advantage in the trenches with four offensive line starters returning, but that should have less of an impact in the season opener than it would in the middle or later parts of a season.
Bet $5, Win $300 in Bonus Bets
New customers only. Min. first deposit and wager of $5+. Bonus bets are awarded within 72 hours of winning your first wager. T&Cs apply.
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Jacksonville State also features in our college football upset picks for Week 0.
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State best odds
FanDuel (-104)
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
| -110 | -104 | -105 | -105 | -105 |
Most of our best sports betting apps have identical moneyline odds for this matchup, with DraftKings the only major sportsbook that differs by more than 1 cent. Not only does FanDuel offer the best moneyline odds for the underdogs, but it is also the only one of our best sports betting sites at +1.5 on the point spread, while all others are at +1.
Get the best UTEP vs. Jacksonville State odds with our FanDuel promo code when making your college football best bets for Week 0.
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State odds
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State odds analysis
There has been no line movement on the point spread at any of our best sportsbooks thus far, as all have the same line as their opening number. The only move of significance is DraftKings teetering between charging -110 and -115 juice to take Jacksonville State +1. DraftKings also had the most significant line movement in its moneyline odds, briefly dipping from UTEP -115 to -112 before bettors drove it back up to its original number.
The O/U varies much more across the sportsbooks, with FanDuel the lowest at 53.5 and BetMGM the only sportsbook as high as 54.5. DraftKings opened the lowest at 53, but within 24 hours, was more aligned with other shops with a total of 54.
UTEP vs. Jacksonville State game info
- When: Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023
- Where: Burgess-Snow Field, Jacksonville, AL
- How to watch: CBSSN, 5:30 p.m. ET
- Weather: 98 degrees, 5% chance of precipitation, wind 7 mph NNW
College football betting odds pages
| CFP National Championship Odds | SEC Odds | Big 12 Odds |
| Heisman Trophy Odds | Big Ten Odds | Pac-12 Odds |
| College Football Playoff Odds | Mountain West Odds | ACC Odds |
Check out our best college football betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)
Related Articles
