The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and the UTEP Miners meet Saturday in college football action from the Sun Bowl. Here’s a UTEP vs LA-Monroe prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UTEP vs LA-Monroe pick.
LA-Monroe Warhawks Betting Preview
The Warhawks only have two games in the can so far this year, the first being a pretty manageable matchup versus St. Francis PA. LA-Monroe held a modest 10-0 lead by halftime, then scored 19 more points on the way to a 29-0 blowout shutout victory. QB Aidan Armenta was 12-of-23 for 95 yards, one TD and one pick. Braylon McReynolds added 11 carries for 113 yards to top the rushers, and Tyler Griffin was tops among receivers with three catches for 32 yards and a score. McReynolds also had two catches for 20 yards and a TD receiving.
In game two versus Alabama, LA-Monroe was on the other end of a blowout shutout. The Warhawks gave up 21 points in three of four quarters (and 10 in the other) on the way to a rough 73-0 outcome. Armenta was 8-of-14 this time for just 28 yards and an interception. McReynolds was the top rusher with 24 yards off seven carries, and Tyler Griffin caught two balls for 22 yards as the top receiver in the blowout defeat.
UTEP Miners Betting Preview
Over on the UTEP side, they’ve got three games in the bag so far with mixed results across the board. The Miners kicked things off versus Utah State on August 30 in their opener. UTEP was down by 10 points at the half and couldn’t make the comeback in a 28-16 loss. QB Malachi Nelson was 22-of-34 for 178 yards, one TD and one pick. Tops in rushing was Kam Thomas with 16 totes for 36 yards, while Kenny Odom led the receivers with his nine catches for 97 yards and a touchdown during the defeat.
In game two versus TN-Martin, UTEP had a better outcome. The Miners jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead and kept it going in the third on the way to a 42-17 victory. Nelson was 14-of-26 in that one with 278 yards and four touchdowns to his credit. Hahsuan Wilson carried eight times for 117 yards and one touchdown, while Odom again led the receivers with his five catches for 124 yards and a score.
Matched up against Texas last Saturday, the Miners could only muster a field goal in the first half and eventually lost 27-10. Nelson was 24-of-36 this time for 209 yards and two interceptions. Wilson rushed six times for 39 yards, and Trevon Tate was the leading receiver on six catches for 64 yards.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks @ UTEP Miners Betting Trends: Week 4
UTEP Miners Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 4, Ashten Emory leads the Conference USA for touchdowns (4) this season.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 4, Braylon McReynolds ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- UTEP ranks 130th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (24:57).
- UTEP ranks 122nd among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (30.0).
- Louisiana-Monroe ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- Louisiana-Monroe ranks T133rd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (1.5).
UTEP vs LA-Monroe Prediction
I might try LA-Monroe here. We’ve only got a couple of games to draw conclusions on the Warhawks—with one of those games being a ridiculous blowout loss to a great Alabama team. LA-Monroe had three turnovers and only generated 148 yards of offense in that one, so it went pretty much how everyone expected the game to go. In the St. Francis PA game the Warhawks controlled things on the ground, gathering up 311 rush yards and 24 first downs while holding an overmatched St. Francis team to just 131 total yards on the other side. This weekend’s game is going to finish somewhere in the middle of that pair, but if LA-Monroe can keep that ground game rolling I think they’ll be okay.
As for UTEP, they (understandably) couldn’t do much in a tough road battle versus a talented Texas squad last weekend, posting just 13 first downs and 4-of-15 on third-down tries (not to mention 0-of-3 on fourth downs). The Miners obviously should look better this weekend, though.