The UTEP Miners (+31) are heading northeast to face the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. This afternoon matchup will get underway at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to SEC Network.
UTEP Miners at Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
Tennessee has been tabbed as heavily favored in this one and is currently giving up 31 points to UTEP. There should be some solid live betting opportunities for this matchup, and bookmakers have yet to decide what the game’s over/under (O/U) will be.
The line for this matchup initially opened at -30.
The Miners are 0-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 1.0 unit so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 1-0. The Volunteers are down 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 1-1.
The Miners have gone 0-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Volunteers are 1-1 SU.
The Miners are still looking for win No. 1 after a 52-24 defeat to UNLV last week. the Miners completed 11-of-29 passes for 123 yards and one interception. Kai Locksley went six-for-19 for 57 yards while Ryan Metz completed five-of-10 for 66 yards and one interception. Locksley (119 yards on 20 rush attempts, two TDs) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Quardraiz Wadley (96 yards on seven carries, one TD). Terry Juniel (two receptions, 12 yards) and David Lucero (two catches, 26 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Tennessee just put together a lopsided 59-3 win over ETSU. The defense allowed the Buccaneers to rush for 125 yards on 29 attempts. Jacob Saylors was a bright spot in the defeat for ETSU, recording 41 rushing yards on eight attempts. For Tennessee, Jarrett Guarantano completed eight-of-13 passes for 154 yards. Tim Jordan (65 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and Jeremy Banks (62 yards on 13 carries, two TDs) spearheaded the running game as Marquez Callaway (five receptions, 78 yards) and Jordan Murphy (three catches, 75 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
UTEP has run the ball on 54.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tennessee has a rush percentage of 66.7 percent. The Miners have rushed for 184 yards per game and have four touchdowns on the ground this year. The Vols are logging 160 rush yards per game and have six total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then it appears the Vols might have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has allowed only two sacks while the D-line has logged three sacks. The Miners O-line has allowed five sacks and their defense has recorded only two sacks.
The Miners offensive scheme has logged 125 yards per game through the air overall and has yet to record a passing TDs so far. The Vols have produced 198 pass yards per contest and have two total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, UTEP should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 261 rush yards and 165 pass yards per game. The Tennessee defense has allowed 249 yards per game to opposing passers and 121.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Vols are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 7.55 to opponents, while the Miners have allowed a whopping 8.88 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Locksley has amassed 57 yards on the year. He’s completed 32 percent of his 19 attempts with zero passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. He has a 3.00 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 2.51 over the last two games.
We expect the UTEP offense to mix it up in this one. Kai Locksley (119 rushing yards, two rush TDs, 0 receiving yards this season), Quardraiz Wadley (96 rush yards, one rush TD) and Walter Dawn Jr. (27 receiving yards) have each played key roles of late.
Jarrett Guarantano has completed 8-of-13 passes for 154 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs for Tennessee. His ANY/A sits at 10.57 for the season and 8.32 across his last two games.
Tim Jordan (65 rushing yards on the year), Marquez Callaway (78 receiving yards) and Josh Palmer (51 receiving yards) have combined for 446 total yards and two touchdowns the past two games.
NCAA Pick: UTEP Miners vs. Tennessee Volunteers
SU Winner – Tennessee, ATS Winner – UTEP
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
Tennessee has lost zero fumbles this season while UTEP has let three get away
The Tennessee defense has produced three sacks on the year while UTEP has two.
+++++
