The FIU Panthers (2-4, 1-1 Conference USA) and UTEP Miners (0-6, 0-3) meet at the Sun Bowl on Wednesday night for more midweek action in the Conference USA. The game is set to kick off at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The Panthers suffered a heartbreaking loss at Liberty last week in overtime to fall to 2-4 on the season and 1-1 in C-USA.
Meanwhile, the Miners are undergoing a full rebuild season under a new head coach and are still searching for their first win through six games.
FIU enters the game as a -7 favorite with the over/under at 48.
This may not be the best matchup on paper, but I do see solid betting value on a road favorite. So, let’s preview this conference tilt and make some FIU vs. UTEP predictions and college football picks for Wednesday, Oct. 16.
FIU vs. UTEP Pick
- FIU vs. UTEP Prediction: UTEP Team Total Under 21.5
My UTEP vs. FIU best bet is on the Miners to go under their team total, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
FIU vs. UTEP Odds, Betting Line, Spread
| FIU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -108 | 47 -108o / -111u | -245 |
| UTEP Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -112 | 47 -108o / -111u | +200 |
- FIU vs UTEP Spread: FIU -7
- FIU vs UTEP Over/Under: 47
- FIU vs UTEP Moneyline: FIU ML -245 · UTEP ML +200
FIU vs. UTEP College Football Week 8 Betting Preview
FIU Panthers Betting Preview: Let the Rebuilding Begin
In his third season with the program, FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre has been known for rebuilding losing programs, and he almost had a memorable win last week.
FIU erased a 14-point deficit with 10:43 left in regulation to force overtime at Liberty. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they couldn't match the Flames’ score in the extra period.
After beating Louisiana Tech the week before, FIU would have been in the driver's seat for a conference title game appearance and a bowl trip. Regardless, it does show the potential that this team has under MacIntyre.
Linebacker Travion Barnes played a key role in that game against Liberty. He racked up a career-high 16 tackles in the loss, which has been the norm for him this season. Coming into this contest, Barnes ranks second in the FBS with 70 total tackles.
He has also led a defensive unit that has given up only a combined 17 points in the second halves against Louisiana Tech and Liberty.
With the inconsistent play on offense, Barnes and the defense will need another big performance here to pick up a win.
UTEP Miners Betting Preview: Can Walden Deliver?
Head coach Scotty Walden decided in the offseason to make the jump up to the FBS level after years of success at Austin Peay. Even with the multiple starters he brought with him, it has been a difficult debut season in El Paso.
It also hasn’t helped that the Miners have faced the harder teams in Conference USA at the beginning of his tenure. UTEP had Liberty, Sam Houston and Western Kentucky to open league play to go along with a nonconference game at Nebraska to begin the season.
Wednesday night starts a stretch where the level of the opponent drops, and I expect the Miners to catch someone on their schedule.
Offensively, the team has also started to make plays. Ezell Jolly ran for a career-high 119 yards at WKU, and Kenny Odom ranks second in CUSA in yards per catch (22.9) and tied for first in touchdown receptions (four).
Walden needs time to turn this program around, but he showed during his time at Austin Peay, he can deliver results.
UTEP vs FIU Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how UTEP and FIU match up statistically:
FIU Offense vs. UTEP Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 123 | 108 | |
| Line Yards | 131 | 95 | |
| Pass Success | 76 | 106 | |
| Havoc | 106 | 107 |  |
| Finishing Drives | 21 | 84 | |
| Quality Drives | 113 | 121 | |
UTEP Offense vs. FIU Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 101 | 104 | |
| Line Yards | 85 | 115 | |
| Pass Success | 118 | 21 | |
| Havoc | 129 | 123 | |
| Finishing Drives | 134 | 55 | |
| Quality Drives | 131 | 87 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 46 | 37 |
| PFF Coverage | 16 | 120 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 122 | 134 |
| Middle 8 | 109 | 82 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.9 (55) | 25.0 (23) |
| Rush Rate | 51% (78) | 49% (106) |
FIU vs. UTEP Prediction and Best Bet
As much as I’d love to fade UTEP here, I just can’t get over how bad the spot is for FIU. The Panthers just had an overtime loss against the defending CUSA champion, and they now have to travel over two time zones from Miami to El Paso.
So, I’m electing to take another route to fade the Miners, which is to oppose their troubling offense.
With that said, my best bet is for UTEP to fall under its team total of 21.5 at FanDuel, which I would play down to 20.5.
The key matchup on both sides of the ball will be on passing plays because both teams are outside the top 70 in rush rate. This is where there's a clear advantage for the visitors.
On offense, the Miners come into this game ranked outside the top 110 in both Passing Success Rate and Finishing Drives. It also doesn’t help that starting quarterback Cade McConnell left the game against WKU with an injury and is questionable for this one.
Regardless of who starts under center, FIU has been solid defending the pass. The Panthers defense ranks 21st nationally in Passing Success Allowed and 16th in PFF coverage grade.
This is also the same unit that ranks top-10 among non-Power 4 programs in Pass EPA.
UTEP has eclipsed this number in only one game this season, which came in a loss to FCS Southern Utah.
I think the struggles continue here with a backup quarterback, so I’ll back the Panthers to stay hot on defense.
Pick: UTEP Team Total Under 21.5 (Play to 20.5)
FIU vs. UTEP Live: Start Time, TV Channel, How to Watch
| Location: | Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX |
| Date: | Wednesday, Oct. 16 |
| Kickoff Time: | 9 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | CBS Sports Network |
FIU vs. UTEP Betting Trends
- 79% of bets and 93% of the money are on FIU to cover the spread.
- 85% of bets and 96% of the money on the moneyline are on FIU to win outright.
- 78% of bets and 79% of the money are on the over.
Betting trends via our live, updating NCAAF public betting & money percentages page.
FIU vs. UTEP Weather
