Old Dominion Monarchs (1-3) vs. UTEP Miners (3-1)
October 2, 2021 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: UTEP Miners -4 ; Over/Under: 51
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The UTEP Miners meet the Old Dominion Monarchs Saturday in Week 5 Conference USA college football action from the Sun Bowl in El Paso. Old Dominion is coming off a matchup versus Buffalo. In that one the Monarchs lost a tough one by a single point. As for UTEP, they played New Mexico in their last appearance. The Miners managed to power out a seven-point win there. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Old Dominion came out of the gate with a blowout loss against Wake Forest, falling 42-10. The Monarchs were able to bounce back in week two with a nice 47-7 win over Hampton, but ODU fell again in game three versus Liberty 45-17.
This past weekend versus Buffalo, Old Dominion gave up 28 points in the second quarter duding a 35-34 loss. Quarterback DJ Mack had 224 yards with one TD and one interception, while also leading the rush attack with 18 carries for 84 yards and two more scores.
Over on the UTEP side, they took out New Mexico State in their opener 30-3, then kept it going in week two versus Bethune-Cookman with a 38-28 win. The Miners had a much tougher customer in game three however, a 54-13 loss to Boise State.
In game four versus New Mexico, UTEP was down 13-3 at halftime but surged from there in a 20-13 win. QB Gavin Hardison had 293 yards with one TD and one pick, while Ronald Awatt had 12 carries for 34 yards to lead the rush.
The Monarchs are 1-4 ATS in their last five after an ATS win and 1-4 ATS in their last five in October. Old Dominion is also 1-5 ATS in the last six overall.
Meanwhile, the Miners are 4-1 ATS in their last five overall and 8-20 ATS in their last 28 hoe games. UTEP is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 after an ATS win as well.
PICK: I’m going to try UTEP, but probably staying away. The Miners posted a few sketchy stats in their comeback win last weekend, with just 51 rush yards, 12 first downs and 62 total plays to the Lobos’ 74. The good news is that UTEP sustained key drives late when they needed them.
As for Old Dominion, they were doomed by a handful of mistakes last weekend, like the 10 penalties and three turnovers. Overall this should be a pretty competitive matchup but I like the Miners a little better on a cover.
