The New Mexico State Aggies and the UTEP Miners meet Wednesday in college football action from the Sun Bowl. New Mexico State is 4-3 overall this year. The Aggies beat Sam Houston in their most recent game last Wednesday. As for UTEP, they’re sitting at 2-5 following a win over Florida International. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

New Mexico State Aggies 

The Aggies went just 1-2 in their first three outings this year with a win over Western Illinois 58-21 sandwiched between losses to UMass 41-30 and Liberty 33-17. It’s been a 3-1 run in the four games since for New Mexico State; the loss came to Hawaii 20-17 and the wins otherwise were versus New Mexico 27-17, FIU 34-17 and Sam Houston 27-13. 

Last Wednesday versus Sam Houston, New Mexico State was up 27-0 by halftime. The Aggies didn’t score again but still held on for the win 27-13. QB Diego Pavia had 286 yards and two passing scores while also leading the rush on 115 yards and a TD. Trent Hudson was tops in receiving on three catches, 122 yards and two touchdowns. 

New Mexico State Aggies Team Facts

• New Mexico State has lost 19 of its last 21 road games in October.
• New Mexico State has covered the spread in seven of its last eight October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• New Mexico State has lost the first half in nine of its last 10 road games against conference opponents.
• Five of New Mexico State’s last six games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.

UTEP Miners

Over on the UTEP side, they lost a tough one to Jacksonville State 17-14 in the opener then beat Incarnate Word in game two 28-14. A string of losses followed as the Miners dropped to Northwestern 38-7, Arizona 31-10, UNLV 45-28 and Louisiana Tech 24-10. UTEP stopped the bleeding with a 27-14 win over Florida International last Wednesday. 

In their last outing versus FIU, the Miners stormed out to a 24-7 lead at the break and eventually took the win 27-14. Cade McConnell threw for 262 yards and two scores, while Torrance Burgess was the top rusher with 86 yards on 20 carries. Kelly Akharaiyi led the receivers on 223 yards and two touchdowns off eight grabs. 

UTEP Miners Team Facts

• The favorite has won each of the last 10 games between New Mexico State and UTEP.
• UTEP has covered the spread in six of its last seven October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Ten of UTEP’s last 11 October games as a home underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stay with New Mexico State in this one. The Aggies are going to need a more convincing performance in this one though, as they couldn’t do much after halftime in their last outing. In that matchup versus Sam Houston, New Mexico State ended up with 458 yards (286 passing), 21 first downs and zero turnovers. That said, the Aggies also went just 4-of-14 on third downs and had eight penalties for 85 yards. Still, New Mexico State has posted 27 or more points in three of tier last four games and should score pretty well here. 

As for UTEP, they get credit for a nice win over FIU in their last appearance, holding the Panthers to just 16 first downs and 2-of-11 on third-down tries. UTEP has 14 or fewer points in four of their seven games so far however, and I don’t think they’ll be able to keep a cover pace for the whole game against the Aggies.