The New Mexico Lobos (2-1) meet the UTEP Miners (2-1) Saturday at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. Kickoff is schedule for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the New Mexico vs. UTEP odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Lobos opened 2-0 SU with narrow wins over FCS Houston Baptist and rival New Mexico State, but they were still feeling good. However, UNM crashed back to Earth with a 34-0 loss at Texas A&M, slipping to 0-3 ATS.
The Miners have also been feeling good, stopping New Mexico State 30-3 in the opener before a 38-28 win over FCS Bethune-Cookman. However, UTEP lost last time out at Boise State on Sept. 10, 54-13. The Over has cashed in each of the past two.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
New Mexico at UTEP odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: New Mexico -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | UTEP +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread (ATS): New Mexico -1.5 (-112) | UTEP +1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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New Mexico at UTEP odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
UTEP 26, New Mexico 23
Money line
I love UTEP (+102) as short ‘dogs at home. The Sun Bowl hasn’t been a difficult place to play in recent seasons, but head coach Dana Dimel has things going in the right direction. The Miners stacked up 420.3 total yards per game, ranking 58th in the nation, and they’re 33rd overall with 199.0 rushing yards per outing.
While New Mexico (-125) has been strong against the run, this is an offense still struggling. They rank just 111th with 329.7 total yards per outing, and they’re 97th in the nation in both passing and rushing yards per game while going for just 20.3 PPG.
Against the spread
AVOID.
UTEP +1.5 (-108) isn’t as good of a value as playing the home side straight up, unless you really feel strongly New Mexico -1.5 (-112) is going to win by just one point. Just play the money line.
Over/Under
The UNDER 53.5 (-108) is the lean here. New Mexico just hasn’t produced enough offensively outside of its rivalry game with New Mexico State, a team with a traditionally poor defense. This won’t be a defensive slog, but it won’t be a track meet, either.
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