Arizona vs. UTEP Prediction
Can Arizona take care of business on the road and pick up a lopsided win over UTEP when the two teams meet tonight at 10:15PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Arizona is favored on the road in this game, as they are getting odds of -23 points against UTEP. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 58.5 points. Arizona has won the last four meetings with UTEP, but the Miners are 3-1 against the spread in those four games. Tonight’s game takes place from the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. The game will air live on ESPN.
NCAA FB QUICK LINKS: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats | Standings
UTEP is 0-2 overall and 0-2 against the spread to start 2017. The Miners suffered a 49-point loss at Oklahoma and a 17-point loss at home to Rice despite being a 1.5-point favorite. UTEP is struggling on offense, averaging just 198 yards per game right now. The defense isn’t doing much better, allowing 556.5 yards per game. Ryan Metz has thrown for 259 yards, but suffered a shoulder injury that has him out indefinitely. Zack Greenlee has taken over for him, but has just eight pass attempts this season. Walter Dawn has rushed for 80 yards and a score to lead the offense.
Arizona is off to a 1-1 start, picking up a 62-24 win over Northern Arizona and suffering a 19-16 loss to Houston. The Wildcats are also 1-1 against the spread, failing to cover in last week’s loss to the Cougars. Arizona is putting up 483 yards per game through two games, but also allowing 472.5 yards per contest. Brandon Dawkins has thrown for 267 yards and a touchdown to lead the team, while also rushing for 118 yards and two scores. J.J. Taylor has added for 131 rushing yards on 26 carries.
Both teams have been lacking so far in 2017, but UTEP appears to be the worse of the two. The Miners got hammered at home as a favorite against Rice last week. Arizona’s lone setback was a 3-point loss to Houston, a respectable program. Arizona has traditionally done well in the Friday spotlight, going 9-2 against the spread in their last 11. UTEP comes into tonight just 3-8 ATS in its last 11 non-conference games. Look for the Miners to continue to struggle on offense while Arizona flies past them.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: ARIZONA -23