Southern Utah vs UTEP Prediction College Football Picks 9/7/24

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds and the UTEP Miners meet Saturday in college football action from the Sun Bowl. Here’s a Southern Utah vs UTEP prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Southern Utah vs UTEP pick. We will examine:

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds’ recent form and player performance

The UTEP Miners’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UTEP Miners

Recent betting trends in games played between Southern Utah and UTEP

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Southern Utah vs UTEP game

Southern Utah Thunderbirds Betting Preview

The Thunderbirds didn’t have the worst year in the world during their 2023 run, going 6-5 overall. Southern Utah managed a 4-2 stretch in United Athletic Conference games, which put them behind Austin Peay and Central Arkansas in the standings.

Southern Utah took a rough loss in their first outing of 2024 versus Utah. The Thunderbirds gave up 28 points in the second quarter alone during a 49-0 blowout. QB Jackson Berry threw for just 54 yards and a pick. Targhee Lambson rushed six times for 44 yards.

UTEP Miners Betting Preview

Over on the UTEP side, they posted a rough season at 3-9 in 2023. The Miners managed to go just 2-6 in Conference USA games, which put the team ahead of only Sam Houston, Louisiana Tech, and FIU in the standings.

Matched up against Nebraska on Saturday, the Miners held a 7-7 tie after one quarter but didn’t score from there in a 40-7 blowout loss. QB Skyler Locklear finished with 115 yards, one TD, and one pick. Kam Thomas led the receivers on 71 yards and a TD off seven grabs.

Why the UTEP Miners will win

• UTEP has won seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Sun Bowl.
• The home team has covered the spread in three of UTEP’s last four games.

Why the Southern Utah Thunderbirds will win

• UTEP has lost each of its last five home games.
• UTEP has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Ten of UTEP’s last 11 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Sun Bowl have gone UNDER the total points line.

Southern Utah vs UTEP Prediction

I’m staying with UTEP but probably not touching it. This matchup should give us a clearer picture of each team, as they’re both coming off tough first games. The Miners’ stats were pretty brutal: 205 yards (149 passing) gained; 507 yards (284 passing) given up. Additionally, UTEP posted 12 first downs and 3-of-10 on third-down tries while surrendering 30 first downs and 11-of-17 on third-down conversions.

As for Southern Utah, no one expected much against Utah in Week 1, and that’s what we got. The Thunderbirds managed just 150 total yards (71 passing) and nine first downs to go along with their 13 penalties. Southern Utah should look better here but I don’t think they’ll end up covering.

Andrew Jett's Pick: UTEP Miners -7