UTEP at UTSA: 11/14/20 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by Austin American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Content Services, LLC
UTSA Roadrunners (4-4) vs UTEP Miners (3-3)
Game Info: Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 3:00 pm (Alamodome)
Betting Odds: UTSA Roadrunners -5 -- Over/Under: 47 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UTEP Miners will travel to the Alamodome to take on the UTSA Roadrunners this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The UTEP Miners had their last two games (North Texas, FIU) postponed/cancelled due to COVID-19 come into this game with an overall record of 3-3 (0-2 C-USA West). UTEP comes into this game riding a 2-game losing streak after falling to the Charlotte 49ers, 38-28, on October 24th. UTEP struggled with turnovers in their last game against Charlotte and could not fight back after a 49ers TD with just 4:40 remaining gave Charlotte a 31-14 lead. UTEP outgained Charlotte by a 374-329 margin however, lost the turnover battle by a 3-0 margin in the loss.
On the season, UTEP is averaging 20.0 ppg on 340.3 total yards per game (218.2 passing yds/g; 122.2 rushing yds/g). Offensively, UTEP as been led by RB duo of Deion Hankins (83 att, 419 yards, 6 TD) and Joshua Fields (64 att, 20 yards, TD). QB Gavin Hardison has completed 52.8% of his passes for 1,260 yards, 4 TD, & 5 INT. The top receiving threats for the Miners have been Jacob Cowing (34 rec, 515 yards), Justin Garrett (31 rec, 445 yards, 3 TD), and Devaughn Cooper (9 rec, 130 yards, TD).
Defensively, UTEP is allowing their opponents to average 25.2 ppg on 326.5 total yards per game (218.8 passing yds/g; 107.7 rushing yds/g).
The UTSA Roadrunners also had their game last week postponed due to COVID-19 and come into this matchup with an overall record of 4-4 (2-2 C-USA West). UTEP comes into this game losing 4 of their last 5 games after being defeated by the FAU Owls, 24-3, on October 31st. UTSA could not get anything going on the offensive end agianst the FAU defense and couldn’t fight back after a 2-yard TD run by the Owls Nick Tronti gave FAU a 17-3 lead late in the 2nd quarter. UTSA was outgained by FAU by a 332-230 margin and did not force a turnover in the loss.
On the season, UTSA is averaging 23.9 ppg on 378.1 total yards per game (203.4 passing yds/g; 174.8 rushing yds/g). Offensively, UTSA has been led by RB Sincere McCormick who has 921 rushing yards & 7 TD’s on 171 carries. QB Frank Harris has completed 58.1% of his passes for 895 yards, 4 TD, & 4 INT. Harris is also the 2nd leading rusher for the Roadrunners as he has 258 rushing yards & 5 TD’s on 61 carries. The top receiving threats for the Roadrunners have been Zakhari Franklin (32 rec, 390 yards, 4 TD), Joshua Cephus (40 rec, 386 yards, 3 TD), and Brennon Dingle (22 rec, 260 yards, TD).
Defensively, UTSA is allowing their opponents to average 27.4 ppg on 399.6 total yards per game (231.4 passing yds/g; 168.3 rushing yds/g).
The Miners are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games on grass, however, are just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win. The Roadrunners are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
UTEP has more success this season than we’ve seen over the past few years and despite having their last two games cancelled, I like them in their matchup agianst the Roadrunners as I think their 17th ranked rushing defense is going to give UTSA some trouble. UTSA is a solid team, but as I expect a low-scoring game that is going to come down to the final position, I think the play here is to take the Miners and the poitns. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick UTEP Miners +5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
