Week 11 of the 2026 College Football season brings an intriguing matchup as the Kennesaw State Owls travel to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats at Elliot T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, TX. The game is set for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams are part of Conference USA, adding an extra layer of competition to this conference battle. The Kennesaw State Owls enter the game with a 3-6 overall record, struggling on the road with a 1-3 record away from Fifth Third Stadium. However, they are coming off a thrilling 42-40 win against Delaware, showcasing their ability to win tight games. Their recent form, with two wins in the last five games, offers a glimmer of hope as they look to improve their conference standing. On the other side, the Sam Houston Bearkats have had a tough season with a 1-8 record, including a 1-3 home record. Despite their struggles, the Bearkats have shown signs of promise, particularly on defense, as they seek their first conference victory this season. Playing at home could provide a much-needed boost as they aim to turn their season around in front of their fans.

Sam Houston vs Kennesaw State At a Glance (Week 11)

  • Game Venue: Elliot T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, TX
  • Game Date and Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM
  • TV Coverage: ESPN+
  • Kennesaw State Record: 3-6 overall, 2-3 in conference play
  • Sam Houston Record: 1-8 overall, 0-5 in conference play
  • Game Odds: Kennesaw State favored with a -7.5 spread

Sam Houston Bearkats Look to Turn the Tide at Home

Offensive Overview

The Sam Houston Bearkats have experienced a challenging offensive season, sitting 98th in the nation with only 158 points scored. Their passing game has been the highlight, ranking 51st with 2,164 yards, largely due to the efforts of starting quarterback Landyn Locke. However, the rushing attack has struggled significantly, ranking 133rd with just 679 yards.

Alton McCaskill leads the Bearkats' ground game with 235 rushing yards and one touchdown, highlighting the team's reliance on its aerial assault. Chris Reed has been a standout performer in the receiving corps, with 437 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The offensive line will need to provide better protection and open more running lanes to boost the ground game.

Defensive Analysis

Defensively, Sam Houston has had a tough season, allowing 248 points and ranking 117th in this category. Despite these struggles, the Bearkats have shown a knack for creating turnovers, ranking 7th with six interceptions and 9th with three fumbles recovered. Their ability to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks is evident with 16 sacks, ranking them 21st nationally.

The Bearkats' defense will need to tighten up against the run, as they have been susceptible to giving up big plays on the ground. Key contributors in the secondary, like Dravon Wilson, who is questionable, will need to step up to limit passing yardage. Improving their defensive efforts will be crucial to reversing their current losing streak.

Recent Performance

The Bearkats have faced a tough stretch, losing their last five games, including a 47-14 defeat to Jacksonville State. In their recent outings, they have struggled to maintain offensive momentum and have been outpaced in first downs and rushing yards. The defense has been unable to contain opposing offenses, leading to high-scoring games against them.

Sam Houston's performance against Missouri State was slightly better in terms of first downs but still resulted in a 24-3 loss. Their home game against New Mexico State showed some promise, as they were competitive in a 30-24 loss, indicating potential areas of improvement.

Key Players and Injuries

Quarterback Landyn Locke is a pivotal player for the Bearkats, with 1,779 passing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. However, injuries have been a setback, with key players like Kyan Berry-Johnson and Kamari Maxwell out for the remainder of the season. The offensive line also faces uncertainty with Zo'Maryon Bryan and Carter Kadow listed as questionable.

Running back Jerrian Parker Jr. and linebacker Ryan Mallory's availability remains uncertain, which could impact the team's performance on both sides of the ball. The Bearkats will need depth players to step up in the face of these injuries.

Upcoming Matchups

Sam Houston has an opportunity to turn things around in their upcoming home games against Kennesaw State and Middle Tennessee. Both games will be played at Elliot T. Bowers Stadium, giving the Bearkats a familiar environment to potentially secure a win. Following these home games, they will face Florida International on the road, closing out their regular-season schedule.

Team Betting Trends

  • O/U - Totals ≤ 42: Last 5 Games (2023) → 5-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - As Favorite: Last 10 Games (2023–2026) → 8-2 (80.0%)
  • ATS - Home Games: Last 16 Games (2023–2026) → 9-7 (56.2%)
  • O/U - After Loss: Last 16 Games (2025–2026) → 9-7 (56.2%)
  • O/U - Home Games: Last 8 Games (2025–2026) → 5-3 (62.5%)
  • O/U - As Underdog: Last 23 Games (2024–2026) → 12-11 (52.2%)
  • O/U - All Games: Last 21 Games (2025–2026) → 11-10 (52.4%)
  • SU - Home Games: Last 17 Games (2023–2026) → 9-8 (52.9%)
  • SU - After Win: Last 15 Games (2023–2026) → 8-7 (53.3%)
  • ATS - Totals ≥ 50: Last 24 Games (2022–2026) → 11-13 (45.8%)

Kennesaw State Owls Ready to Soar in Upcoming Game

Offensive Prowess

The Kennesaw State Owls have shown versatility in their offensive gameplay this season. Ranked 65th in passing yards with 2092 yards, their aerial attack has been significant. However, their ground game has struggled a bit, ranking 103rd with 1189 rushing yards.

Rickie Collins has been pivotal at quarterback, leading with 1672 passing yards and 7 touchdowns. His performance will be crucial, especially with his current questionable status due to an injury. The Owls' ability to adapt their offensive strategies will be key against the Sam Houston Bearkats.

Defensive Strengths

Kennesaw State's defense has been a mixed bag this season. They are ranked 113th in points against, allowing 243 points so far. However, their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks is notable, with 11 sacks ranking them 26th.

The Owls' secondary has been effective with 5 interceptions, ranking 6th. They will need to leverage their defensive strengths to contain the Bearkats' offensive threats. Their ability to recover fumbles has also been a strong suit, with 6 recoveries placing them 6th.

Injury Concerns

The Owls are facing several injury concerns that could impact their performance. Rickie Collins, their starting quarterback, is questionable due to an undisclosed injury. Additionally, key players like Luke Duska and Donovan Westmoreland are also on the injury list, which might affect their game strategy.

These injuries highlight the importance of depth in the Owls' roster. Backup players may have to step up to fill the gaps, and their performance could be a determining factor in the game's outcome.

Recent Performance

Kennesaw State's recent games have been a mix of highs and lows, with a 2-3 record in their last five games. Their recent win against Delaware with a score of 42-40 showcased their offensive capabilities. However, losses to teams like Liberty and Missouri State indicate areas needing improvement.

The team's ability to bounce back after defeats is crucial, and their performance against Middle Tennessee, where they won 44-28, proves they can rise to the challenge. The upcoming game will test their consistency and resilience.

Betting Trends

  • SU - After Win: 10-2 (83.3%) in the last 12 games.
  • ATS - As Underdog: 6-1 (85.7%) in the last 7 games.
  • SU - As Favorite: 10-3 (76.9%) in the last 13 games.
  • ATS - All Games: 9-3 (75.0%) in the last 12 games.
  • ATS - Away Games: 5-1 (83.3%) in the last 6 games.

Sam Houston vs Kennesaw State Week 11 Prediction: Over 46.5

The upcoming game between Sam Houston and Kennesaw State features two teams with defenses that have struggled this season. Sam Houston has allowed 248 points, ranking them 117th, while Kennesaw State has allowed 243 points, ranking them 113rd. These defensive struggles increase the likelihood of a high-scoring game.

Offensively, Kennesaw State has shown potential to put points on the board, with 226 points this season. In their last game, they scored 42 points against Delaware. Sam Houston, although struggling offensively, is playing at home, which could give them a slight edge in finding the end zone.

The total points for this game is set at 46.5, a number that both teams can surpass given their defensive vulnerabilities. Historical matchups also suggest a propensity for scoring, as seen in their 2023 game that ended 24-21, resulting in 45 total points.

Considering the available data, the projection leans towards a higher-scoring contest. Expect both teams to exploit defensive weaknesses, which should push the combined score over the set total of 46.5.

  • Sam Houston vs Kennesaw State Prediction: Over 46.5
  • Sam Houston vs Kennesaw State Score: Kennesaw State 31 - Sam Houston 20

Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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