One losing streak will conclude at zero games as the Rice Owls square off against the UTEP Miners. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN 3 and kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
UTEP Miners at Rice Owls Betting Preview
Rice is a live dog and is currently getting 1.5 points in this CUSA game. The Miners are also receiving -120 moneyline odds while the Owls are +100. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 48.5 points. There should be multiple good live betting scenarios during the contest.
This game’s total has yet to move after it was set initially at 48.5. Having said that, the line opened at 0 so has recently moved up to 1.5.
The Miners have lost 4.0 units so far in 2018 and are 4-4 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-4. The Owls have lost 4.2 units this season. The team is 4-5 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-4.
The Miners have gone 0-8 straight up (SU), including 0-4 SU against conference opponents. The Owls are 1-8 SU overall and are also 0-5 SU in conference play.
Each team enters the matchup on an eight-game losing streak. The Miners are most-recently on the rebound after a 19-0 shutout to UAB last weekTheir defense allowed the Blazers to eat up the clock by running for 265 yards on 47 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Spencer Brown posted a productive day for the Blazers in that one with 103 rushing yards and a score on 21 attempts. On the offense, the Miners completed 12-of-20 passes for 101 yards. Kai Locksley went seven-for-11 for 52 yards while Brandon Jones completed five-of-nine for 49 yards. The Miners rushed for just 19 yards as a team in the defeat.
One week ago, North Texas knocked off this Rice team by a score of 41-17. The Owls defense allowed the Mean Green to pass for 333 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 164 yards and three scores. Rico Bussey, Jr. put up a productive showing for North Texas, posting 145 yards and a score on four catches. For Rice, Wiley Green completed 21-of-37 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown. Juma Otoviano (64 rushing yards on 17 attempts) and Austin Walter (30 yards on 14 carries) mounted the running game while Trammell (10 receptions, 94 yards) and Aaron Cephus (six catches, 79 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the loss.
UTEP’s run the ball on 59.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Rice has an overall rush percentage of 55.9 percent. The Miners have produced 131 rush yards per game (including 87 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Owls are averaging 147 rush yards per game (91 in conference) and have nine total rushing TDs.
The Miners offensive scheme has logged 166 yards per contest in the air overall (210 per game versus conference opposition) and has five passing TDs so far. The Owls have put up 171 pass yards per game (151.0 in the CUSA) and have 10 total pass scores.
Defensively, UTEP should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 210 yards and throw for 173 yards per game. The Rice defense has allowed 270.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 176.9 yards per game on the ground. The Miners are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 6.89 to opposing QBs, while the Owls have allowed an ugly 10.40 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Metz has put up 576 yards this year, and has connected on 51 percent of his 69 attempts with three passing scores and five interceptions. Metz’s got a 4.60 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.47 over the past two outings.
Wiley Green has completed 21-of-37 passes for 204 yards, one TD and zero INTs for Rice. His ANY/A sits at 5.46 for the season and 2.91 over his past two games.
These two teams faced off last year with the final outcome being a 31-14 victory for Rice.
RELATED: Week 10 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Tip: UTEP Miners vs. Rice Owls
SU Winner – UTEP, ATS Winner – UTEP, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The UTEP defense has sacked opposing QBs 13 times this season. Rice has produced 12 sacks.
Both teams have lost six fumbles this season.
The Miners offense has tallied five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Owls have put up one such play.
The UTEP defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Rice has given up 14 such plays.
The UTEP offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Rice has created 15 such runs.
The Miners defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Owls have given up 16 such runs.
The O/U for Rice’s last match was set at 58.5. The under cashed in the 41-17 loss to North Texas.
In its last three contests, Rice is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
In its last three contests, UTEP is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for UTEP’s last game was set at 50. The under cashed in the team’s 19-0 loss to UAB.
UTEP has averaged 2.1 yards per rush attempt over its last three outings and 1.4 over its last two.
Rice has averaged 2.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.3 over its past two.
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