Week 0: UTEP vs North Texas 8/27/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UTEP Miners and North Texas Mean Green square off Saturday night in week 0 of college football action at the Sun Bowl. The North Texas Mean Green won 6 games last year and enter the seventh year under coach Seth Littrell. The UTEP Miners won 7 games last season and enter year five under coach Dana Dimel.

The North Texas Mean Green averaged 27.5 points and 431.2 yards per game last season. North Texas allowed an average of 27.5 points and 382 yards per game last season. Austin Aune returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,000 yards, 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Roderic Burns and Damon Ward are a returning receiving duo that combined 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Ikaika Ragsdale was second for the Mean Green with 500 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, KD Davis returns after leading North Texas with 121 tackles, Roderick Brown had 3 sacks and Kevin Wood had 2 interceptions. North Texas will be a lot more experienced this season, mainly at quarterback and on the defensive side. Davis is possibly the best defensive player in the C-USA, and this North Texas linebacker group is one of the best in the entire country. Yes, I said it. 

The UTEP Miners averaged 25.1 points and 393 yards per game last season. UTEP allowed an average of 25.2 points and 348.8 yards per game last season. Gavin Hardison returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,200 yards, 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Tyrin Smith and Reynaldo Flores are a returning receiving duo that combined 700 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Ronald Awatt led the Miners with almost 800 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Breon Hayward returns after leading UTEP with 108 tackles, Jadrian Taylor had 6.5 sacks and Dennis Barnes had 2 interceptions. UTEP will have possibly the best defense in the C-USA, as this front seven is stacked with playmakers. Awatt also makes a case for the best running back in the conference as well. Needless to say, I’m excepting big things from UTEP this season and there shouldn’t be an issue surprising last year’s win total.

The Mean Green are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Miners are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 18-7 in Mean Green last 25 road games. The over is 5-1 in Miners last 6 games overall. The home team is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

The North Texas Mean Green is getting a lot of respect here and for good reason, as last year showed promise, and they’re more experienced than they were last season. I get it. However, the UTEP Miners have probably the best defense in the conference and a quarterback in Hardison who could take a big leap if he just limits the interceptions. It’s kind of a surprise UTEP finds itself at home in a pick em spot. It’s a massive season opener for both teams as it’s a measuring stick contest in conference play. We could see either of these clubs in the C-USA title game. I’ll give the edge to UTEP at home.