The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (7-3) are looking to extend their three-game winning streak as they travel to play the Texas-El Paso Miners (4-6). The CUSA’s third-leading rusher, Kenneth Dixon (933 yards, 17 TDs), will be the focal point of this matchup. It’s been a rough season for UTEP, and after losing two of its last three, things haven’t gotten any better. The game will air Saturday, Nov 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FSN.
UTEP lost to Old Dominion 31-21 last week. Jaquan White had a good game in the loss, grabbing three balls for 20 yards and two TDs. Louisiana Tech is hoping for another victory like its last game, when it dominated North Texas 56-13. Kenneth Dixon had a huge game running the ball for the Bulldogs, rushing for 195 yards and six TDs on 22 attempts. Carlos Henderson had a big game as well, totaling 162 receiving yards on five catches.
Louisiana Tech is a substantial 21-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available.
The Miners enter the game with a record of 4-6 Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS) this season. In their five most recent matchups, the Miners went 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS. On special teams, Louisiana Tech may give up some big plays to the Miners in the return game. The Bulldogs have allowed 153.3 return yards per game, making them one of the worst in Division I.
On the other side, the Bulldogs head into Week 12 with records of 6-4 ATS and 7-3 SU. Over their last five games, the Bulldogs have a SU record of 4-1 and a 3-2 record ATS for those betting with them. Chances are Louisiana Tech will continue to rely on its passing attack, where its 314.1 passing yards per game ranks 17th in the nation. Switching gears to the Louisiana Tech defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. Louisiana Tech’s sixth-ranked run defense has given its competition trouble. Opponents have only run for 99.8 yards per game against this intimidating unit. The Bulldogs usually get going immediately from the initial kickoff, averaging 11.1 points in the first quarter this year.
Predictions: SU Winner – Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner – Louisiana Tech
Notes
Texas El Paso is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas El Paso’s last 7 games.
Texas El Paso is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas El Paso’s last 5 games at home.
Texas El Paso is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Louisiana Tech.
Louisiana Tech is 7-1 SU when leading at halftime this season.
Remarkably, Louisiana Tech is winless (0-3 SU) in games where it wins the turnover battle, yet undefeated (4-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
Among all FBS teams, the UTEP offensive passing game is ranked 81st in the nation, while the Louisiana Tech pass defense is only ranked 104th. The Bulldogs passing attack is ranked 17th, compared to the 120th-ranked pass defense of the Miners.
