The Utep Miners and Utsa Roadrunners will go head-to-head on the dome at the Alamodome. This conference game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
Betting Preview: UTSA Roadrunners vs. UTEP Miners
UTEP is a live dog and is currently getting 11 points in this Saturday CUSA game. The Miners are also receiving +325 moneyline odds while the Roadrunners are -450. If one side can create a bunch of points early, it’ll likely create a reasonable live betting opportunity.
The Miners have lost 2.0 units so far and are 1-3 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 1-2.
The Roadrunners are down 2.0 units this season. The team is 0-4 ATS and owns an O/U record of 3-1.
The Miners have gone 0-4 straight up (SU) and they haven’t faced any CUSA competition yet. The Roadrunners are 1-3 SU overall and are also 0-0 SU in conference play.
When these two programs faced each other a year ago, UTSA got the victory 31-14.
The Miners are still looking for win No. 1 after a 27-20 defeat to New Mexico State last week. Kai Locksley completed 10 passes for 194 yards, along with one TD and an interception. Locksley (64 yards on 27 rush attempts, one TD) also led the running attack and was complemented by Quardraiz Wadley (111 yards on 20 carries). Warren Redix (four receptions, 24 yards) and Terry Juniel (two catches, 80 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
UTSA just picked up a 25-21 win over Texas State. Cordale Grundy completed 19-of-35 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown. Jalen Rhodes (76 yards on 17 rush attempts) and B.J. Daniels (38 yards on 12 carries) mounted the running game as Greg Campbell Jr. (seven receptions, 71 yards) and Gavin Sharp (five catches, 26 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
UTEP has run the ball on 62.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while UTSA has a rush percentage of 49.1 percent. The Miners have produced 174.3 rush yards per game and have five touchdowns on the ground this year. The Roadrunners are logging 97.0 rush yards per game and have two total rushing TDs.
The Miners offensive scheme has averaged 120.8 yards in the air overall and has only one passing scores so far. The Roadrunners have produced 164.8 pass yards per contest and have four total pass TDs.
UTEP appears to have an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 255.3 yards and pass for 163.3 yards per game. The UTSA D has allowed 286.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 136.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Miners are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 8.40 to opposing QBs, while the Roadrunners have given up a whopping 9.98 ANY/A.
Offensively, Locksley has put up 371 passing yards this season. He’s completed 48 percent of his 61 attempts with one passing scores and two interceptions. Locksley has a 3.30 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 3.06 over the last two outings.
The Miners have tried to control the pace by pounding the defense with their running backs. Quardraiz Wadley (250 rush yards, two rush TDs) and Treyvon Hughes (95 rush yards) have been big focal points in the offensive gameplans for UTEP.
In the home locker room, Cordale Grundy has connected on 53-of-101 passes for 471 yards, two TDs and two INTs. Grundy’s ANY/A sits at a terrible 3.17 for the year and 4.33 over his last two games.
The Roadrunners also prefer to utilize their backfield. Along with Greg Campbell Jr. (167 receiving yards), Jalen Rhodes (104 rush yards) and B.J. Daniels (152 rush yards, two rush TDs) have gotten a lot of looks lately.
UTEP Miners at UTSA Roadrunners NCAA Tip
SU Winner: UTSA, ATS Winner: UTSA
Betting Trends
- The UTSA D has registered 11 sacks on the year while UTEP has seven.
- UTSA has lost four fumbles in 2018 while UTEP has lost five.
- The Miners offense has created two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Roadrunners have accounted for zero such plays.
- Both defenses have allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards. The UTEP defense has given up five pass plays of 30+ yards while UTSA has given up nine such plays.
- The UTEP offense has created six rushing plays of 20+ yards, while UTSA has created four such runs.
- The Miners defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Roadrunners have given up four such runs.
- UTSA was favored by 8 points in its last match and the O/U was set at 48.5. The under cashed and UTSA failed to cover in the 25-21 victory over Texas State.
- In its last three contests, UTSA is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matches, UTEP is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- UTEP was the underdog by 6 points in its last game and the O/U was set at 51.5. The under cashed and UTEP failed to cover in the 27-20 defeat to New Mexico State.
- UTEP has produced 4.61240310077519 yards per carry over its past three games and 3.6 over its last two.
- UTSA has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.6 over its past two.
