Updated Dec. 10, 2025, 5:20 p.m. ET

The Jackson State Tigers (1-7) and No. 8 Houston Cougars (8-1) meet Wednesday. Tip-off from the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Jackson State vs. Houston odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Jackson State suffered an 88-73 loss at the Kennesaw State Owls last time out on Dec. 2, but it hung on for the cover as a 15.5-point underdog as the Over (157.5) cashed. G Daeshun Ruffin was the only standout, going for 28 points with 5 assists and a pair of 3-pointers, while getting to the free-throw line to go 12-of-13.

The Tigers have covered back-to-back games after a 1-5 against the spread (ATS) start, and the Over has cashed in 5 of 8 outings.

Houston topped the Florida State Seminoles 82-67 on a neutral floor last time out on Saturday at Toyota Center in Houston, covering as a 13-point favorite as the Over (148.5) cashed. That snapped an 0-3 ATS skid. The Over is 5-1 in the past 6 outings. G Emanuel Sharp finished with 27 points with 6 triples, while G Kingston Flemings went for 21 points, 8 steals, 5 assists and 3 rebounds while going 3-of-4 from behind the arc.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!Jackson State at Houston odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:08 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)Against the spread: Jackson State +40.5 (-110) | Houston -40.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Jackson State at Houston picks and predictionsPrediction

Houston 96, Jackson State 48

PASS.

Move along — nothing to see here.

HOUSTON -40.5 (-110) is worth a play, even though this is a giant number to lay.

The Cougars have covered the past 2 instances as a favorite of 30 or more points, including a 41-point number in a 91-45 victory on Nov. 20 against Rider Broncs.

For the Tigers, they’re 1-3 ATS in 4 games this season as an underdog of 28 or more points, including back-to-back losses by 46 or more points to the Auburn Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks Nov. 19-21. Expect more of the same here.

OVER 137.5 (-110) is worth a look.

Jackson State has hit the Over in 5 of 8 games to date, including 5-2 on the road, with 106+ allowed in all 4 games against power-conference teams. Houston has hit the Over in 5 of the past 6 games.

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