The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (-13) and UTEP Miners are set to do battle on the turf at Sun Bowl. Interested parties can tune in to the action on ESPN+ and this CUSA game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: UTEP Miners vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
In this Saturday Conference USA matchup, Southern Miss is tabbed as the big favorite and is currently giving up 13 points. The Golden Eagles are also receiving -550 moneyline odds while the Miners are +375. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 45.5 points, and if one team can create a bunch of points early, it will likely create a reasonable in-game betting scenario.
The Golden Eagles are 5-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.5 units so far. The team has posted an O/U mark of 4-5.
The Miners have lost 5.0 units this season. The team is 5-6 ATS and six of its games have gone over the total.
The Golden Eagles are 5-5 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against conference opponents. The Miners are 1-10 SU overall and 1-6 SU in conference play.
When these two programs met a year ago, Southern Miss won easily 24-0.
The Golden Eagles enter after a 21-20 victory over Louisiana Tech last week. Jack Abraham completed 24 passes on 29 attempts for 195 yards and one touchdown. Steven Anderson (just 29 yards on 12 rush attempts, but two TDs) provided the ground attack while Quez Watkins (nine receptions, 110 yards) and Tim Jones (three catches, 27 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
UTEP just lost a brutal 40-16 game to Western Kentucky. As a group, the team collectively completed 15-of-34 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. Brandon Jones went 14-for-25 for 340 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while Kai Locksley was one-of-nine for two yards and three interceptions. Quardraiz Wadley (22 rushing yards on seven attempts) led the running game as Warren Redix (four receptions, 34 yards) and Tre’Shon Wolf (three catches, 63 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Southern Miss has run the ball on 48.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while UTEP has a rush percentage of 56.8 percent. The Golden Eagles have run for 98.7 yards per game (including 97.4 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Miners are averaging 128.3 rushing yards per game (102.0 in conference) and have 17 total rush TDs.
The Golden Eagles offense has averaged 267.9 yards in the air overall (261.6 per game versus conference opposition) and has 18 passing TDs so far. The Miners have put up 190.4 pass yards per contest (230 against CUSA foes) and have nine total pass scores.
Southern Miss should have an advantage in both areas of the defense. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 106.2 yards and throw for 181.8 yards per game. The UTEP D has given up 205.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 190.6 yards per game to opposing runners. The Golden Eagles are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.39 to opposing QBs, while the Miners have given up a 7.29 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Abraham has amassed 2,255 yards this year. He’s completed 209-of-285 attempts with 14 scores through the air and 10 interceptions. Abraham’s got a 6.27 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.76 over the last two outings.
Quez Watkins (722 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns this season), Tim Jones (469 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Darius Maberry (18 rush yards) have each played key roles of late.
In the hosts’ locker room, Brandon Jones has connected on 27-of-52 passes for 504 yards, two TDs and two INTs. Jones’ ANY/A stands at 7.22 for the year and 9.41 across his last two outings.
As a group, David Lucero, Quardraiz Wadley and Josh Weeks have combined for 410 total yards and three touchdowns the last two games.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles at UTEP Miners Free Pick
SU Winner: Southern Miss, ATS Winner: Southern Miss, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- The Golden Eagles offense has registered 12 pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Miners have accounted for nine such plays.
- The Southern Miss defense has allowed five pass plays of 40+ yards, while UTEP has given up eight such plays.
- The Southern Miss offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while UTEP has created 15 such runs.
- The Golden Eagles defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Miners have given up 17 such runs.
- Each team defense has produced 18 sacks this year.
- Southern Miss, as a team, has averaged 1.3 yards per carry across its last three games and 0.9 over its last two.
- UTEP has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.4 over its last two.
- Over its last three matches, UTEP is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Southern Miss’ last game was set at 45.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-20 victory over Louisiana Tech.
- In its last three matchups, Southern Miss is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for UTEP’s previous outing was set at 48. The over cashed in the 40-16 loss to Western Kentucky.
