College Football

UTEP vs Middle Tennessee Prediction 11-2-24 College Football Picks

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-6) vs. UTEP Miners (1-7)
November 2, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: UTEP Miners -3 / Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +3; Over/Under: +50.5
(Get latest betting odds)

In this article, we will formulate a UTEP vs Middle Tennessee prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, November 2nd at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 10 matchup. 

UTEP Miners Betting Preview

The UTEP Miners are 1-7 (1-4) this year after they lost to Louisiana Tech by a score of 14-10 in their last game. UTEP led 7-0 and 10-7, but they allowed the only points in the fourth quarter for the loss. The Miners were outgained by a total of 255-251, tied the turnover battle at zero, and went 1-14 on third down in the game. Skyler Locklear threw for 76 yards and one touchdown, while Jevon Jackson rushed for 112 yards on 22 carries. 

Prior to that game, the Miners defeated FIU by a score of 30-21 but did lose their first six games of the season. The UTEP offense has scored 17 points per game with 199.5 passing yards and 120.9 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 30.3 points per game this season. The Miners have gone 30.4% on third down and 6-16 on fourth down so far this season. UTEP will go with freshman JP Pickles under center, who is 2-5 for nine yards so far this year, while Jevon Jackson has rushed for 499 yards and one score. 

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Preview

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are 2-6 (1-3) this season after they lost to Jacksonville State by a score of 42-20 in their last game. Middle Tennessee led 10-7 in the first quarter, but it was downhill from there, as they struggled to get stops in the third quarter. The Blue Raiders were outgained by a total of 575-364, won the turnover battle 1-0, and went 5-13 on third down in the game. Nicholas Vattiato threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns, while Omari Kelly caught eight passes for 128 yards. 

Prior to that game, the Blue Raiders defeated Kennesaw State by a score of 14-5 but did lose the five games before that. The Middle Tennessee offense has scored 16.9 points per game with 262.3 passing yards and 76.6 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 36.3 points per game this season. The Blue Raiders have gone 38% on third down and 7-18 on fourth down through eight games. Nicholas Vattiato has completed 64.3% of his passes for 2,057 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Omari Kelly has caught 46 passes for 779 yards and three scores. 

Why Middle Tennessee will cover

  • UTEP has lost 10 of its last 11 games.
  • Middle Tennessee has won each of its last four games against UTEP.
  • The underdog has covered the spread in four of UTEP’s last five games at Sun Bowl.
  • UTEP has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

  • Five of UTEP’s last six games as a favorite have gone UNDER the total points line.
  • Five of Middle Tennessee’s last six road games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

  • UTEP ranks 133rd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (3.4).
  • UTEP ranks 132nd among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (64.3).
  • Middle Tennessee ranks 134th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (2.1).
  • Middle Tennessee ranks 134th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (3.1).

UTEP vs Middle Tennessee Prediction 

UTEP comes into this matchup with the home-field advantage, but they only have one win on the season and their offense has been brutal. The Miners will go with a true freshman at quarterback in this game, so I am not confident the offense will look any better here. Middle Tennessee has one more win than UTEP does this year, but they have lost by 22, 27, and 17 points in their last three road games. I don’t like either team in this matchup, but I am staying away from the UTEP quarterback situation. Take Middle Tennessee here. 

David Racey's Free Pick: Middle Tennessee +3

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David Racey

David started writing about sports in 2015, but sports has been his passion for as long as he can remember. David spends most of his free time watching pretty much anything sports related from Baseball to Tennis and everything in between. David likes to analyze statistics and recent results to form an unbiased opinion on whatever game he is breaking down. Follow David on Twitter at @itsyerboi41

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