UTEP Miners vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Pick & Prediction 10/10/24
UTEP is still looking for their first win of the season as they head into this week seven matchup against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Kick-off is set for 8:00 ET from Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, and the game can be seen on ESNU. The Hilltoppers are favored by -19.5 points, with the over/under line currently at 58.5 points. Western Kentucky has a 3-2 record for the season.
UTEP MINERS VS WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: UTEP Miners +19.5
This game will be played at Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium at 8:00 ET on Thursday, October 10th.
WHY BET THE UTEP MINERS:
- We have the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers winning this one by a score of 28 to 26
- Even though we like the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to win, our ATS pick is to take the UTEP Miners at +19.5
- We see this game finishing below the line of 58.5 points
Will The UTEP Miners Pull Off An Upset As Road Underdogs
UTEP enters Week 7 against Western Kentucky with an 0-5 record, ranked 130th in our CFB power rankings. Their chances of becoming bowl-eligible are slim, with only a 0.4% probability.
The Miners have an average scoring margin of -16.8 points per game and are 1-3 against the spread this season.
This week’s over/under line is set at 58.5 points. UTEP’s games have averaged 48.4 points, with their average over/under line at 51.1 points.
Heading into week 7, UTEP’s offense ranks 130th in our power rankings, averaging just 15.8 points per game. Their third-down conversion rate is only 30.6%, and their rushing attack has struggled, producing just 87.6 yards per game on the ground.
Skyler Locklear leads the passing game with 710 yards, and UTEP is 35th in passing attempts per game. Locklear has a passer rating of 77, with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Kenny Odom has 359 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season.
UTEP’s defense has struggled this season, allowing an average of 32.6 points per game. In their recent 41-21 loss to Sam Houston, they gave up 41 points and 519 total yards, including 295 rushing yards on 50 attempts.
Opponents are averaging 240.6 rushing yards per game against UTEP, while quarterbacks have posted a 105.6 passer rating, completing 67.3% of their passes for an average of 196.6 yards per game.
Are The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Going To Defend Home Field Advantage?
Western Kentucky enters Week 7 with a 3-2 record, hosting UTEP. They are ranked 93rd in our power rankings but have a 96.5% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. The Hilltoppers have a 20.6% chance of winning Conference USA this season.
So far, Western Kentucky has been favored in just one game, and their average scoring margin is zero. They are 3-1 against the spread, going 1-0 as favorites and 2-1 as underdogs.
Their over/under record is 2-2, with an average line of 55.8 points. This week’s line is 58.5, and their games have averaged 50.4 points per contest.
Western Kentucky’s offense has been driven by their passing game, ranking 24th in passing attempts per game. They are 16th in completions, averaging 25 per game, and 33rd in passing yards, with 281.8 yards per game. Caden Veltkamp has thrown for 883 yards and has a 70.4% completion rate, leading the team with eight touchdowns.
The Hilltoppers are 66th in scoring, averaging 25.2 points per game, and are 83rd in our offensive power rankings. Veltkamp has four interceptions and a passer rating of 104. On third downs, they convert 36.4% of the time. Their run game is limited, averaging 101.6 rushing yards per game. Elijah Young leads with 218 rushing yards.
Western Kentucky’s defense has allowed 25.2 points per game this season, ranking 46th nationally. In their recent game against Boston College, they gave up 21 points, allowing 17 first downs but holding BC to just 65 rushing yards on 29 attempts. The Hilltoppers forced two interceptions but allowed 254 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Opponents have averaged 233.2 passing yards per game against Western Kentucky, completing 63.2% of their passes. The defense has faced the 34th fewest passing attempts nationally, but they’ve allowed 168.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 118th in the country.