Table of Contents
The UTEP Miners (3-6) will host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-4) on Saturday at 9:00 PM ET.
The Hilltoppers are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -8.5) versus the Miners. The over/under for this game is 54.5 points.
Create your Pick’em Pool with the Internet’s #1 pool creation and hosting platform. Get 15 friends together and play for free!
Start here >
Game Info for Western Kentucky vs. UTEP
- Game Day: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Game Time: 9:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Location: El Paso, Texas
- Stadium: Sun Bowl Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | -8.5 | -111 | -109 | 54.5 | -110 | -110 | -343 | +263 |
Western Kentucky Pick Insights
- Western Kentucky has posted a 4-3-0 record against the spread this season.
- Western Kentucky is a perfect 1-0 against the spread when favored by 8.5 points or more this season.
- Western Kentucky games have gone over the point total on three of seven occasions (42.9%).
Western Kentucky Stats & Insights
- Western Kentucky has the 63rd-ranked offense this season (395.4 yards per game), and have been less effective defensively, ranking third-worst with 467.1 yards allowed per game.
- On offense, Western Kentucky ranks 58th in the FBS with 29.9 points per game. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 100th in points allowed (467.1 points allowed per contest).
- Offensively, Western Kentucky has been a top-25 unit in terms of passing yards, ranking 17th-best in the FBS by putting up 291.9 per game. The Hilltoppers rank 106th on defense (248.5 passing yards allowed per game).
- Western Kentucky ranks 16th-worst in rushing offense (103.5 rushing yards per game) and fourth-worst in rushing defense (218.6 rushing yards per game allowed) this year.
- Western Kentucky is averaging a 38.5% third-down percentage on offense (78th in the FBS), and ranks 87th defensively with a 40.3% third-down conversion rate allowed.
- Western Kentucky has forced 18 total turnovers (third in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 10 times (46th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +8, the ninth-best in college football.
Western Kentucky’s Best Players
- Austin Reed has recorded 2,273 yards (284.1 ypg) on 203-of-337 passing with 20 touchdowns compared to five interceptions this season. In addition, he’s added 94 rushing yards (11.8 ypg) on 29 carries while scoring three touchdowns on the ground.
- Markese Stepp has carried the ball 47 times for a team-high 232 yards on the ground and has found the end zone two times.
- Elijah Young has racked up 187 yards on 47 attempts, scoring one time.
- Malachi Corley’s team-leading 652 yards as a receiver have come on 49 receptions (out of 78 targets) with seven touchdowns.
- Easton Messer has caught 27 passes for 335 yards (41.9 yards per game) and three touchdowns this year.
- Dalvin Smith has a total of 234 receiving yards so far this year, hauling in 25 passes and scoring two touchdowns.
- Kendrick Simpkins has racked up 5.0 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up 6.0 TFL and 34 tackles.
- Talique Allen is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s racked up 39 tackles.
- Anthony Johnson Jr. has picked off a team-leading two passes. He also has 26 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and two passes defended to his name.
UTEP Betting Insights
- UTEP has covered the spread twice in eight opportunities this year.
- UTEP is 0-1 against the spread when an underdog by 8.5 points or greater this season.
- Out of UTEP’s eight games with a set total, two have hit the over (25%).
UTEP Pick Insights
- UTEP ranks 88th with 360.9 total yards per game on offense, and it ranks 81st with 385.0 total yards given up per contest on defense.
- UTEP’s offense has been bottom-25 this season, posting 18.7 points per game, which ranks 12th-worst in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, it ranks 80th with 27.2 points surrendered per contest.
- From an offensive angle, UTEP is putting up 201.4 passing yards per game (99th-ranked). It ranks 39th in the FBS on the other side of the ball (204.9 passing yards allowed per game).
- UTEP’s defense has been a bottom-25 unit in run defense this season, allowing 180.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks 19th-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 62nd with 159.4 rushing yards per contest.
- UTEP’s third-down offense has been bottom-25 this season, posting a 31.4% third-down percentage, which ranks 14th-worst in the FBS. Defensively, it ranks 105th with a 43.6% third-down rate surrendered.
- UTEP has fared poorly in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of -6 is 15th-worst in the FBS.
UTEP’s Best Players
- Gavin Hardison leads UTEP with 947 yards on 73-of-129 passing with five touchdowns compared to seven interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Deion Hankins, has carried the ball 123 times for 679 yards (75.4 per game) with three touchdowns.
- Torrance Burgess Jr. has racked up 529 yards (on 108 carries) with two touchdowns, while also catching 13 passes for 184 yards.
- Kelly Akharaiyi has racked up 645 receiving yards on 32 receptions to pace his squad so far this season while scoring four touchdowns as a receiver.
- Jeremiah Ballard has caught 26 passes and compiled 434 receiving yards (48.2 per game) with one touchdown.
- Tyrin Smith’s 30 targets have resulted in 19 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown.
- Maurice Westmoreland leads the team with 5.5 sacks, and also has 6.0 TFL and 26 tackles.
- Tyrice Knight is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s picked up 86 tackles, 8.0 TFL, and 2.5 sacks.
- Praise Amaewhule leads the team with one interception, while also recording 26 tackles, 4.0 TFL, five sacks, and one pass defended.
