Kennesaw State Owls (1-7) vs. UTEP Miners (1-8)
November 9, 2024 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: UTEP Miners -3.5 / Kennesaw State Owls +3.5; Over/Under: +42.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a UTEP vs Kennesaw State prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, November 9th at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 11 matchup.
UTEP Miners Betting Preview
The UTEP Miners are 1-8 (1-5) this year after they lost to Middle Tennessee by a score of 20-13 in their last game. UTEP was tied at 10 at the half and they led 13-10 in the third quarter, but they allowed the last 10 points for the loss. The Miners were outgained by a total of 333-305, won the turnover battle 3-1, and went 5-16 on third down in the game. JP Pickles threw for 145 yards and one interception, while Jevon Jackson caught five passes for 33 yards.
Prior to that loss, the Miners lost to Louisiana Tech by a score of 14-10 but did beat FIU by a score of 30-21 before that. The UTEP offense has scored 16.6 points per game with 193.4 passing yards and 125.2 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 29.1 points per game this season. The UTEP quarterback situation is up in the air right now, as Locklear was battling a concussion, so we may see Pickles once again here.
Kennesaw State Owls Betting Preview
The Kennesaw State Owls are 1-7 (1-3) this season after they lost to Western Kentucky by a score of 31-14 in their last game. Kennesaw State tied the game at seven in the first quarter, but they allowed the next 24 points for WKU to pull away. The Owls were outgained by a total of 467-272, lost the turnover battle 1-0, and went 5-15 on third down in the game. Davis Bryson threw for 96 yards and one interception, while Michael Benefield rushed for 98 yards and one score.
Prior to that loss, the Owls defeated Liberty by a score of 27-24 but did lose their first six games of the season. The Kennesaw State offense has scored 14.9 points per game with 130.1 passing yards and 115.3 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 31.1 points per game this season. Davis Bryson has completed 54.8% of his passes for 901 yards, three touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Michael Benefield has rushed for 394 yards and three scores.
Why Kennesaw State will cover
- UTEP has lost four of its last five games as a favorite.
- The underdog has won three of UTEP’s last four games at Sun Bowl.
- The underdog has covered the spread in five of UTEP’s last six games at Sun Bowl.
- UTEP has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Kennesaw State’s last four road games against non-AP-ranked teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of UTEP’s last seven games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- UTEP ranks 133rd among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (3.4).
- UTEP ranks 132nd among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (66.7).
- Kennesaw State ranks 134th among FBS teams for yards per game this season (245.4).
- Kennesaw State ranks 134th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (109).
UTEP vs Kennesaw State Prediction
Kennesaw State comes into this matchup with a little momentum, as they beat Liberty two games ago for their first FBS win, and they were competitive against Western Kentucky last week. The Owls have been one of the worst teams in the nation this season, but I think they are turning things around. UTEP also only has one win on the season and they are dealing with an injured starting quarterback. I don’t really trust either offense in this game, but I do think Kennesaw State has way more momentum. Take the Owls and the points here.
