Last Updated on December 18, 2010 4:30 pm by drew
New Mexico Bowl Odds
ALBERQUERQUE, NM (TheSpread) – The first bowl of the 2010-11 College Football Bowl Season features BYU taking on UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl.
UTEP is 6-6 on the year and 5-6 against the spread while BYU is 6-6 overall on the season and 7-5 against the point spread odds. The two have combined to go over the point total in 15 of 23 games. Trends show that BYU is 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games on a neutral site while UTEP is 8-21 ATS in their last 29 games following a cover in their last game.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com have made BYU an 11.5-point favorite against UTEP on Saturday. The over/under total has been set at 50. (View Matchup)
Opening odds had BYU favored by 12 points. The spread has since dropped back to 11.5 points. The over/under total opened at 49 and climbed up to 50.5 before settling in at 50.
BYU won four of their last five games to get bowl eligible. The Cougars lost 17-16 to Utah in their season finale. On the year, BYU is averaging 24 points per game while giving up 21.4 points per game. The Cougars have been led by a strong rushing attack, which averages 163.8 yards per game on the ground. J.J. Di Luigi is leading the team with 819 rushing yards and seven scores while also catching 42 passes for 422 yards and a score.
UTEP lost five of their last 6 games to finish at 6-6 on the year. The Miners average 26.2 points per game on offense but allow 25.4 points per game. Their strongest attack is their passing game, which averages 221.5 yards per game. Trevor Vittatoe has thrown for 2,511 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions on the season.
In terms of injuries, UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe is probable for the game despite an ankle injury while BYU running back Mike Hague is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Over 14,900 public bets have been placed on this game with BYU getting 60% of the wagers with point spread odds of -11.5 against UTEP on Saturday.
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