Time: 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MT local)
Venue: Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Weather Forecast (Las Cruces, NM)
Conditions: Clear skies, desert evening
Temperature: ~74°F at kickoff, dipping into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter
Wind: Light, 5–7 mph
Impact: Minimal effect on passing/kicking game
Injury Report (as of Sept. 30 updates)
Sam Houston:
QB Hunter Watson – Probable (ankle soreness, practiced limited)
RB Elijah Green – Questionable (hamstring)
New Mexico State:
WR Donovan Faupel – Probable (shoulder)
LB Keyshawn Banks – Out (knee, multi-week absence)
Key Player Matchups
Hunter Watson (QB, Sam Houston) vs. NMSU Secondary
Watson has struggled (396 pass yards, 0 TD, 2 INT), but his dual-threat rushing ability (140 yards, 2 TD) is the X-factor.
Kadarius Calloway (RB, NMSU) vs. Sam Houston Front Seven
Calloway’s versatility (34 rush yards + 12 receiving yards last game) will test a Bearkats defense allowing 42.8 PPG (worst in FBS).
Emon Allen (DB, Sam Houston) vs. Logan Fife (QB, NMSU)
Allen has 2 INTs this season; Fife threw 1 INT vs. New Mexico. Turnovers could swing momentum.
Recent Team Form
Sam Houston (0-4, 0-4 ATS)
Last game: Lost 55-0 to Texas
Offense: 16.3 PPG (129th nationally)
Defense: 42.8 PPG allowed (131st nationally)
Struggling on 3rd downs (13.7% conversion rate)
New Mexico State (2-2, 1-3 ATS)
Last game: Lost 38-20 to New Mexico
Offense: 18.5 PPG (124th nationally)
Defense: 26.0 PPG allowed (65th nationally)
More balanced but inconsistent
Series History
All-time series: New Mexico State leads 2–0
Last meeting: Aggies won 27-13 in 2023 (non-conference)
Betting Trends
Sam Houston:
0-4 ATS in 2025
3 of 4 games have gone Over
New Mexico State:
1-3 ATS in 2025
2 of 4 games have gone Over
Market Note: Despite Sam Houston being winless, they opened as slight favorites. Sharps leaning toward NMSU as a home underdog.
Historical Betting Results
Sam Houston:
ATS record since FBS transition: 5-15 (25%)
Struggles as a favorite (1-6 ATS)
New Mexico State:
ATS record last 2 seasons: 11-9 (55%)
Stronger at home in CUSA night games (4-2 ATS since 2023)
Game Odds
Sam Houston Bearkats – 2.5
New Mexico State Aggies 52.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, October 1, 2025
