The Sam Houston Bearkats and UTEP Miners clash Wednesday in week 9 college football action from Bowers Stadium. UTEP is just 2-6 on the year so far. The Miners lost to New Mexico State by three touchdowns in their last outing. As for the Bearkats, they’re sitting at 0-7 on the season following an overtime loss to FIU. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

UTEP Miners 

The Miners haven’t had much luck so far this year after starting out on a rough 1-5 run. The losses in that time came to Jacksonville State 17-14, Northwestern 38-7, Arizona 31-10, UNLV 45-28 and Louisiana Tech 24-10 with a lone win over Incarnate Word 28-14. Since then UTEP has a win over FIU 27-14 and a loss to New Mexico State. 

In the matchup versus the Aggies last Wednesday, the Miners went into the second half with a 7-7 tie. UTEP couldn’t score from there however and lost 28-7. QB Cade McConnell posted 179 yards on 15-of-32 passing, and Deion Hankins rushed 16 times for 120 yards. Jeremiah Ballard added five catches for 75 yards as well. 

UTEP Miners Team Facts

• The road team has won each of UTEP’s last four games.
• UTEP has covered the spread in eight of its last nine October road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Each of UTEP’s last four games as an underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.

Sam Houston Bearkats 

Over on the Bearkats’ side, it’s been a completely futile run so far. To be fair however, Sam Houston has a few close matchups mixed into their 0-7 record. The losses have come to BYU 14-0, Air Force 13-3, Houston 38-7, Jacksonville State 35-28 (OT), Liberty 21-16, New Mexico State 27-13 and FIU 33-27 (OT). 

In the overtime loss to FIU last week, Sam Houston scored 10 points in the final quarter to extend the game. After two extra periods the Bearkats ended up with another loss, though. Keegan Shoemaker finished with 306 yards, two scores and a pick, while Noah Smith led the rush with 40 yards and a score. Smith also led the receivers on 91 yards and a TD from nine catches. 

Sam Houston State Bearkats Team Facts

• Sam Houston State has lost each of its last 14 games.
• Sam Houston State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll take a stab on the Bearkats in this one. Granted, there’s not a lot to get excited about in this matchup between teams that are a combined 2-13, but we should have a pretty competitive game in the end. Sam Houston pushed a decent FIU team to the edge in their last game, posting 410 total yards (306 passing) and 25 first downs. The 5-of-14 rate on third-down tries and eight penalties didn’t help matters, though. The Bearkats are going to have to score well in this one in order to cover; Sam Houston has posted more than 16 points in just two of seven games so far. UTEP has given up 24 or more points in five of their last six games, so the opportunities should be there. Ultimately I like a close finish here with a Bearkats cover in an entertaining matchup.