UTEP vs Kennesaw State Prediction: Are the Owls the CUSA’s Best Team?

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 5:58 AM ET

Last season, Kennesaw State was the team that couldn’t but a close win. It was 2-10 with both victories by a combined four points.

This year, head coach Jerry Mack has changed everything around, with his Owls on a five-game winning streak, including a 3-0 run in Conference USA play.

Three of the last four games are on the road, but they can be bowl eligible with a win.

UTEP has been strangely disappointing. There was a thought that it might rise up and be a stunningly strong challenger this season, but it finally got its first FBS win last week against winless Sam Houston.

There’s still time to get to six wins and a bowl, but it has to start here with a road win.

UTEP vs Kennesaw State Preview

How To Watch UTEP vs Kennesaw State

Why UTEP Will Win

Good things happen when the Miners get the running game moving.

It’s supposed to be a fast-paced team that moves the ball all over the yard, but that’s not working quite right.

Last week against Sam Houston, though, quarterback Skylar Locklear had his best game of the season, and the running game helped with 175 and three scores in the 35-17 win

The only other time the Miners got past 170 yards was in the other win over UT Martin. Kennesaw State might be playing well, but it got run over by FIU for well over 200 yards last week. But …

Why Kennesaw State Will Win

UTEP has a hard time scoring.

No, the Kennesaw run defense isn’t great, but it makes up for it with a great offensive pace, excellent pass protection, and the downfield plays through the air that UTEP can’t seem to find.

This might not be a high-scoring Owl team, but the offensive balance and pace should be just enough to make the Miners start to air it out a bit and keep up. And then …

UTEP vs Kennesaw State Prediction, Betting Lines

The turnovers will start flowing from the road team.

UTEP is able to get the offense moving, but time after time, things flat with a third down misfire or a turnover.

The Miners have given it up multiple times in each of the last five games, and Kennesaw State has turned it over just once in the last three weeks.

The Owls won’t take a whole lot of chances here as they get up early and then convert off of two takeaways to pull away late.

Kennesaw State 34, UTEP 16
Line: Kennesaw State -10, o/u: 50.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 2.5

Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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