- What: NCAA Football Regular Season Game
- When: October 16, 2024
- Who: FIU vs. UTEP
- Time: 6:00 p.m. PST
- Where: Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, TX)
The UTEP Miners will host the FIU Panthers in a Conference USA game on Wednesday night at the Sun Bowl.
Florida International
After coming close to upsetting the top seed in the Conference USA last week, the Florida International Panthers face the UTEP Miners, who currently hold the bottom spot in the division.
The Panther’s defense may finally have an opportunity to shine against their upcoming opponent’s offense.
The Panthers’ defense allows an average of 28.5 points per game and over 407 yards of offense, ranking 106th in the nation. Their run defense is struggling, allowing an average of 201.8 yards per game.
Up in the mountains ⛰️ pic.twitter.com/gpTjyq36QR
— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) October 16, 2024
Despite these challenges, the Panthers have shown promise in their recent games. In their last game against C-USA leaders Liberty, they came close to ending the nation’s longest regular-season winning streak, which is 17 games.
FIU scored two late fourth-quarter touchdowns, pushing the game to overtime, but they eventually lost 31-24.
Offensively, the Panthers are averaging 27 points per game, and their passing attack averages 226.3 yards per contest.
Quarterback Keyone Jenkins has been a key player, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 1,349 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
UTEP
Despite the Miners seeking its first win of the season, UTEP is only a 7-point underdog according to the college football odds. This marks its smallest point spread as an underdog this season.
In their last game, the UTEP Miners suffered a 44-17 defeat at the hands of Western Kentucky, their fifth loss by double-digits in six games.
Their defense has struggled, conceding 40 or more points three times this season and allowing an average of 34.5 points per game, ranking 14th-worst in the C-USA.
???????????????? ????????????????
???? @FIUFootball
???? El Paso, Texas
????️ Sun Bowl Stadium
????️ Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024
????️ 7 pm
???? @CBSSports Network
???? @600espnelpaso #PicksUp | #WinTheWest pic.twitter.com/d5udUTz9lP— UTEP Football (@UTEPFB) October 14, 2024
Offensively, UTEP is also struggling, averaging just 16 points per game, which is the second-lowest in Conference USA and 129th in the nation. Despite winning the last two matchups, the 2024 UTEP team is not performing as well as in previous years.
UTEP’s quarterback situation is uncertain. Starting quarterback Cade McConnell’s availability is doubtful due to a wrist injury. McConnell had to exit last week’s loss to Western Kentucky, and the team is preparing Skyler Locklear to start.
Locklear has seen action in five games this season, but he is considered a step down at the position. He has thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdown passes (3). Additionally, he has been averaging less than 5.0 yards per completion over his last two games.
Panthers-Miners Best Bet
The UTEP Miners have been dreadful this season. FIU has shown some signs of promise and it’s difficult not to lean their way in this matchup.
The tough thing with this one is the spread. Oddsmakers have set the spread around 7 points at most sportsbooks. It’s a key number so I typically advise to stay away from it, perhaps you can find a -6.5 point spread at a sportsbook.
The moneyline is around -245 for FIU while UTEP is +200, that’s indicates it’s a pretty lopsided matchup. This UTEP team is so bad, that I’d risk it and lay the 7 points and back FIU in this one as the best bet.
Will New Mexico State upset the visiting Louisiana Tech Bulldogs?
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
