Mid-week Conference USA action returns in Week 10 with the Miners taking on the Owls at 8:00 PM ET on ESPNU. SBR's Matt Jacob takes a look at the matchup in his UTEP vs Kennesaw State prediction:
Over/Under pick: Over 50.5 (-110 via BetMGM)
Game prediction: Kennesaw State -9.5 (-120 via FanDuel)
"UTEP has put up 88 points in two victories and a total of 70 points in five losses (scoring 16 or fewer four times). What about the defense? Take out a 42-17 Week 2 win over FCS opponent UT-Martin and last week’s 35-17 rout at Sam Houston, and the Miners are yielding 27 points per outing.
So this UTEP vs. Kennesaw State prediction comes down to a simple question: Can the Miners put together back-to-back complete performances - on both sides of the ball - for the first time all season?
My answer: Highly doubtful, not against a Kennesaw State squad that is rolling.
The Owls have won five straight games; they’re on a 4-0 ATS roll (including two outright upsets); and they’re coming off their most dominant efforts to date (35-7 vs. Louisiana Tech and 45-26 at FIU).
Two other points worth making: Kennesaw State is surrendering just 15.7 points per game against opponents not named Indiana, and four of UTEP’s five defeats were double-digit blowouts."
Player prop bet: Skyler Locklear Over 202.5 passing yards (-114 via FanDuel)
"After splitting time with starter Malachi Nelson in the previous two games, UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear went the distance last week against Sam Houston and played quite well (21-for-26, 236 yards, two TDs, one INT).
This week, Locklear shouldn’t have much trouble cracking the 200-yard passing barrier again. After all, the senior will be throwing a lot in the second half if (as expected) the Miners are in a big hole. Also, five of six FBS quarterbacks have eclipsed 215 passing yards this year against Kennesaw State."
Over/Under pick: Over 50.5 (-110 via BetMGM)
Game prediction: Kennesaw State -9.5 (-120 via FanDuel)
"UTEP has put up 88 points in two victories and a total of 70 points in five losses (scoring 16 or fewer four times). What about the defense? Take out a 42-17 Week 2 win over FCS opponent UT-Martin and last week’s 35-17 rout at Sam Houston, and the Miners are yielding 27 points per outing.
So this UTEP vs. Kennesaw State prediction comes down to a simple question: Can the Miners put together back-to-back complete performances - on both sides of the ball - for the first time all season?
My answer: Highly doubtful, not against a Kennesaw State squad that is rolling.
The Owls have won five straight games; they’re on a 4-0 ATS roll (including two outright upsets); and they’re coming off their most dominant efforts to date (35-7 vs. Louisiana Tech and 45-26 at FIU).
Two other points worth making: Kennesaw State is surrendering just 15.7 points per game against opponents not named Indiana, and four of UTEP’s five defeats were double-digit blowouts."
Player prop bet: Skyler Locklear Over 202.5 passing yards (-114 via FanDuel)
"After splitting time with starter Malachi Nelson in the previous two games, UTEP quarterback Skyler Locklear went the distance last week against Sam Houston and played quite well (21-for-26, 236 yards, two TDs, one INT).
This week, Locklear shouldn’t have much trouble cracking the 200-yard passing barrier again. After all, the senior will be throwing a lot in the second half if (as expected) the Miners are in a big hole. Also, five of six FBS quarterbacks have eclipsed 215 passing yards this year against Kennesaw State."