The UTEP Miners (+24) are making a trip east to face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Joe Aillet Stadium. Kickoff for this CUSA showdown is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and ESPN+ is in line to broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. UTEP Miners
UTEP is a big road underdog here and is currently getting 24 points from oddsmakers. If the Miners get out in front in the early stages it’ll create a decent live betting opportunity. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points.
This game’s opening line was -27. The over/under hasn’t changed after being set initially at 48.5.
The Miners are 3-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 3.0 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 2-3.
The Bulldogs have gained 0.5 units this season. The team is 4-2 ATS and has an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Miners have gone 0-6 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against CUSA opponents. The Bulldogs are 4-2 SU overall and 2-1 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced each other last year, Louisiana Tech won by three touchdowns 42-21.
The Miners are still looking for their first win after a narrow 27-24 defeat to North Texas on October 6Their defense allowed the Mean Green to eat up the clock by running for 134 yards on 35 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Rico Bussey, Jr. had a productive day for the Mean Green in that one with 117 yards and a score on eight catches. On the offensive side of the ball, Ryan Metz completed only 16 passes on 33 attempts for 313 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Quardraiz Wadley (65 yards on 11 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Metz (37 yards on 10 carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Warren Redix (seven receptions, 131 yards) and Keynan Foster (two catches, 76 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Louisiana Tech is coming off of a 31-3 win over UTSA. The defense held its ground in the victory, keeping the Roadrunners to only 201 passing yards and 85 rushing yards. Blaze Moorhead had a good showing in the loss, recording 87 yards on six catches for UTSA. For Louisiana Tech, J’mar Smith completed 25-of-36 passes for 309 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jaqwis Dancy (34 yards on 21 rush attempts, one TD) and Kam McKnight (42 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) spearheaded the running game while Teddy Veal (seven receptions, 75 yards) and Adrian Hardy (five catches, 87 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
UTEP’s run the ball on 61.1 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 58.1 percent across possessions in conference play. Louisiana Tech has an overall rush percentage of 49.8 percent, and has kept it on the ground 52.9 percent of the time against CUSA opponents. The Miners have run for 159.2 yards per game (including 129.0 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are logging 143.2 rushing yards per game (118.3 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
The Miners offense has tallied 156.5 yards per contest in the air overall (228.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has four passing scores so far. The Bulldogs have produced 268.7 pass yards per contest (215 against CUSA competition) and have 11 total pass TDs.
Defensively, UTEP has allowed 207.7 rush yards and 189.0 pass yards per game. The Louisiana Tech D has allowed 188.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 158.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulldogs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.04 to opponents, while the Miners have allowed an 8.10 ANY/A.
Offensively, Metz has amassed 386 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 23-of-49 attempts with two passing scores and four interceptions. Metz has a 3.89 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 6.95 over the last two games.
On the other sideline, J’mar Smith has managed to complete 115-of-191 passes for 1,458 yards, 10 TDs and five INTs. Smith’s ANY/A sits at 6.83 for the season and 4.55 over his last two outings.
UTEP Miners at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Bedding Prediction
SU Winner: Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner: UTEP, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Louisiana Tech defense has sacked opposing QBs 16 times this year. UTEP has produced just nine sacks.
- The Louisiana Tech offense has lost five fumbles this season while UTEP has lost six.
- The Miners offense has recorded four pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Bulldogs have put up five such plays.
- The UTEP defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Louisiana Tech has given up two such plays.
- The UTEP offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Louisiana Tech has created seven such runs.
- The Miners defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have given up eight such runs.
- The O/U for Louisiana Tech’s last game was 47. The under cashed in that 31-3 triumph over UTSA.
- Over its last three contests, Louisiana Tech is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- Over its last three matchups, UTEP is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for UTEP’s previous game was set at 54. The under cashed in the team’s 27-24 defeat to North Texas.
- UTEP has produced 3.6 yards per carry across its past three contests and 3.6 over its last two.
- Louisiana Tech has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 2.9 over its past two.
