The FIU Panthers will play the UTEP Miners in a Conference USA Game on Saturday afternoon at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
The FIU Panthers are 4-6 (2-4) this season after they lost to Florida Atlantic by a score of 52-7 in their last game. FIU gained 277 total yards, but turned the ball over four times in the loss. The FIU offense is averaging 18.4 points per game with 215.5 passing yards per game and 116.2 rushing yards per game. Grayson James has thrown for 1,906 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also rushing for 232 yards and three touchdowns for the Panthers this season. Lexington Joseph has rushed for 508 yards and five touchdowns, while Tyrese Chambers has caught 49 passes for 535 yards and four scores for FIU. The FIU defense is giving up 37.4 points per game and 445.1 yards per game.
The UTEP Miners are 4-6 (2-4) this season after they lost to Rice by a score of 37-30 in their last game. UTEP allowed Rice to gain 502 total yards and gave up a first down on 8-13 third down attempts in the game. The UTEP offense is averaging 22.2 points per game with 217.7 passing yards per game and 141.8 rushing yards per game. Gavin Hardison (questionable) has thrown for 2,044 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Miners this season. Deion Hankins has rushed for 589 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyrin Smith has caught 62 passes for 882 yards and five scores for UTEP. The UTEP defense is allowing 28.4 points per game and 370.3 yards per game.
FIU is 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games and 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games. The over is 17-6 in FIU’s last 23 road games. UTEP is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 conference games. The under is 5-0 in UTEP’s last 5 home games.
FIU has been really bad on defense this season and is allowing over 37 points per game. Both teams have struggled on offense, but FIU is only averaging 19 points per game. Both of these teams need to win their last two games to go to a bowl game, so they should be super focused on this game. I am going to take FIU with the points, as UTEP has only won by more than 14 points once this year.