Spread: OM -7.5
Total: 56
M/L: OM -310, UTEP +260
UTEP
Last week UTEP faced then-No. 4 overall Oklahoma and kept it close through low scoring first half, 7-7, but failed to score the final three quarters of the game, eventually surrendering 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Amazingly, the Miners did cover the 30 point spread, despite most bettors predicting an Oklahoma rout. Oklahoma is the highest ranked opponent they had faced at home, and Nathan Jeffrey ran for 177 yards and returned a blocked punt 24 yards for a TD in the first quarter for the Miners’ only score. The game had the makings of what could have been the biggest upset in school history.
Missed field goals were a part of the reason, as two kickers missed three field goals, and the fake punt failed, which set up a short field for the Sooners, as they scored and took a 17-7 lead.
“We had a great opportunity and we played our hearts out,” UTEP coach Mike Price said.
The Miners will take a half-time tie to the fourth best team in the country and move forward optimistically towards this game against Ole Miss, as only 7.5 point underdogs. If they could easily cover a 30 point spread, this could result in a victory, and many are making money line bets on the Miners as college football oddsmakers have less faith in UTEP than bettors.
OLE MISS
Ole Miss won their home opener against Central Arkansas, as Bo Wallace threw for 264 yards and two TDs. Wallace is a big QB at 6’5″ 210 lbs, and came from a JUCO program, so his seasoning should have primed him for success at the NCAA D-1 Level. He completed 20 of 24 passes, but did throw one interception. He rushed for an additional 82 yards and a TD.
Despite handling business, Ole Miss was down 20-14 at the half, but scored 35 unanswered points in the second half. It was the lack of defense that caused most of the problems, as the Rebels allowed Central Arkansas QB Wynrick Smothers to complete 25 of 32 passes for 247 yards and two TDs. They did control the run, though, so positives can be drawn from that.
The win was the first season opening win for Ole Miss since 2009.
Ole Miss will likely be without star running back Jeff Scott (pictured), who is battling back problems.
UTEP Betting Trends:
Miners are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conf games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 in Sept; 5-1 ATS in their last 6 following an ATS win and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 20 or less in previous game. 1-5 ATS in their last 6 overall and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs the SEC.
Ole Miss Betting Trends:
Rebels are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 non-conf games. 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after accumulating more than 450 yards in previous game, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 overall, 0-8 ATS vs teams with losing records; 0-5 ATS following an ATS win, and 0-5 ATS in the last 5 after accumulating 200+ yards rushing in previous game.
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