The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky (-8) are gearing up to welcome their in-conference nemesis UTEP Miners to Houchens-Smith Stadium. beIN Sports owns the TV rights and the game’s scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
UTEP Miners vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
UTEP is a live dog and is currently getting 8 points in this Saturday CUSA game. The Miners are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Hilltoppers are -330. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 47.5 points, and if one program can create a bunch of points early, it’ll probably result in a nice live betting scenario.
This game’s line opened at -7, while the total hasn’t changed since it was set initially at 47.5.
The Miners are 5-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 4.0 units this season. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 5-4. The Hilltoppers have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors so far, losing 12.2 units. The team is 4-6 ATS and has an O/U record of 4-6.
The Miners have gone 1-9 straight up (SU), including 1-5 SU against CUSA opponents. The Hilltoppers are 1-9 SU overall and 0-6 SU in conference play.
The Miners are hoping to get back in stride after a 48-32 defeat to Middle Tennessee last week. The passing game wasn’t where it needed to be as the Miners completed 18-of-39 passes for 218 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Kai Locksley went 14-for-29 for 163 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Brandon Jones completed four-of-10 for 55 yards and one touchdown. Quardraiz Wadley (99 yards on 15 rush attempts, two TDs) led the running attack in the loss while Josh Weeks (four receptions, 71 yards) and David Lucero (four catches, 62 yards) manned the receiving duties.
Western Kentucky most-recently dropped a 34-15 game to Florida Atlantic. The team’s defense let the Owls rush for 315 yards on 58 attempts, including four rush TDs. Kerrith Whyte, Jr. was outstanding, recording 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts for the Owls. For Western Kentucky, Steven Duncan completed 25-of-42 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Joshua Samuel (101 yards on 15 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Duncan (-1 yards on 11 carries) led the ground game in the defeat as Mik’Quan Deane (10 receptions, 112 yards, one TD) and Quin Jernighan (five catches, 67 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
UTEP has run the ball on 58.5 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 55.7 percent across possessions in conference play. Western Kentucky has a rush percentage of 47.3 percent, and has kept it on the ground 45.0 percent of the time against CUSA opponents. The Miners have produced 136 rush yards per game (including 111 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 17 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Hilltoppers are totaling 124 rushing yards per game (118 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
The Miners offense has logged 175 yards/game in the air overall (212 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing TDs so far. The Hilltoppers have recorded 242 pass yards per outing (229.3 in the CUSA) and have 12 total pass scores.
Defensively, UTEP appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 189 yards and pass for 205 yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 232.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 196.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Hilltoppers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.65 to opposing QBs, while the Miners have given up a 7.52 ANY/A.
Offensively, Locksley is up to 742 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 50 percent of his 139 attempts with three scores through the air and five interceptions. Locksley has a 2.79 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.17 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Steven Duncan has completed 75-of-120 passes for 704 yards, five TDs and four INTs. Duncan’s ANY/A sits at 4.70 for the year and 3.70 over his last two games.
When these two programs met last year, Western Kentucky earned the win 15-14.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NCAA Betting Tip: UTEP Miners vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Western Kentucky offense has lost six fumbles this season while UTEP has lost eight.
The Western Kentucky defensive unit has registered 19 sacks on the year while UTEP has 15.
UTEP has averaged 3.3 yards per rush attempt across its last three outings and 4.3 over its last two.
Western Kentucky has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.9 over its past two.
Over its last three matches, Western Kentucky is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for UTEP’s last game was set at 48.5. The over cashed in the team’s 48-32 defeat to Middle Tennessee.
In its last three games, UTEP is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Western Kentucky’s last outing was set at 60. The under cashed in that 34-15 loss to Florida Atlantic.
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