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The UTEP Miners (1-5, 0-2 CUSA) and the FIU Golden Panthers (3-3, 0-3) meet Wednesday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami for a Conference USA league game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UTEP vs. FIU odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Miners are coming off a 24-10 setback at home in the Sun Bowl against Louisiana Tech last Friday, failing to cover a 1.5-point spread. Not only has UTEP dropped the past 4 games, it has failed to cover each game, too. In fact, the Miners are winless in 5 tries against FBS teams, also going 0-5 against the spread (ATS).
The Golden Panthers were doubled up at New Mexico State 34-17, not even coming close to covering a 6.5-point number. The last time FIU was home, it was pounded by Liberty 38-6 on Sept. 23, snapping a 3-game winning streak.
FIU ranks 124th in the NCAA stats with 207.7 rushing yards allowed. That’s the one thing UTEP does well on offense, averaging 158.5 yards per game, ranking 64th, but the offense has managed just 16.2 PPG, good for 130th in FBS.
Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
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UTEP at FIU odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UTEP +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | FIU -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UTEP +2.5 (-120) | FIU -2.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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UTEP at FIU picks and predictions
Prediction
FIU 23, UTEP 18
Moneyline
FIU (-135) is a good play at home, as the Golden Panthers have had a measure of success this season. While it was completely outplayed at New Mexico State last weekend, the Golden Panthers have showed resiliency before. FIU topped North Texas in a high-scoring 46-39 win on Sept. 9 at home, and it went on the road to top UConn on Sept. 16, winning 24-17.
UTEP (+110) has no such victories on its resume. The Miners has topped only Incarnate Word of the FCS back on Sept. 2, and UTEP is winless in 3 games on the road, losing the past 2 games by 21 or more points.
Against the spread
FIU -2.5 (+100) is a decent play as long as this stays under a flat 3, especially at even-money.
Again, UTEP +2.5 (-120) has failed to cover all 5 games against FBS opponents this season. The Golden Panthers have covered 2 of the past 4 games, and they’re the lean, especially since they’re at home. As long as FIU can manage to at least slow the run game, it will get the job done.
Over/Under
UNDER 43.5 (-105) is a low number, but these are both dysfunctional offenses.
FIU manages just 328.8 total yards per game, and 107.5 rushing yards per game, while cobbling together just 20.7 PPG.
UTEP has managed 346.2 total yards per game, while going for just 187.7 passing yards per outing, and the Miners are good for just 16.2 PPG. And if you take out the 28 points scored against Incarnate Word, the Miners offense has managed just 13.8 PPG in 5 games against FBS opponents. The defense has been shaky, allowing 24 or more points in 4 straight games, it should be decent enough against a struggling FIU squad.
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