The UTEP Miners and the Sam Houston Bearkats meet in a Conference USA matchup in Week 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 25.
UTEP (2-6, 1-3 CUSA) fell to New Mexico State in Week 8, 28-7. They struggled to stop dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia on the Aggies side. However, despite the loss and tough offensive performance, running back Deion Hankins had a good game, rushing for 120 yards over 16 carries. The Miners’ only conference win was over FIU.
Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4 CUSA) is still on the hunt for that first win. They had another heartbreaker in Week 8 in their second overtime loss of the season. They fell 33-27 to FIU in double OT. Quarterback Keegan Shoemaker had a very good game, passing for 306 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, but the Bearkats defense ultimately could not stop the FIU run game.
Here’s everything you need to know and a pick for the game.
SP+ Rankings
UTEP: 122 overall, 125 offense, 105 defense
Sam Houston: 121 overall, 132 offense, 70 defense
Injury update
UTEP
QB Gavin Hardison – Questionable (arm)
QB Jake McNamara – Questionable (concussion)
WR Tyrin Smith – Questionable (undisclosed)
Sam Houston
UT Trapper Pannell – Questionable (leg)
RB Landan Brown – Questionable (undisclosed)
RB Charles Crawford – Questionable (undisclosed)
RB Zach Hrbacek – Questionable (leg)
ATS/Total
Against The Spread in 2023
UTEP: 2-6 ATS
Sam Houston: 3-3-1 ATS
Total in 2023
UTEP: Over 2-6
Sam Houston: Over 3-4
Team Pace
UTEP: 2.04 plays per minute of offense
Sam Houston: 2.16 plays per minute of offense
Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: Sam Houston -3.5
Total: 37
Moneyline: Sam Houston -175, UTEP +145
Weather
77°F, Partly Cloudy, 17% chance of rain, 12 MPH winds
Our Best Bet for UTEP vs. Sam Houston
Sam Houston -3.5
The Bearkats are so, so, so close to that win. After last week’s heartbreaking loss to FIU, Sam Houston hosts another struggling CUSA team, and I think that they may finally have what it takes here. The Bearkats have a solid defense in the plus column and should be able to contain a fairly mediocre UTEP offense. Bearkats get their first win this week.