UTEP Miners vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Matchup

Check out our free UTEP Miners vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers pick and preview for this CFB week 7 game in Bowling Green. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week 7 CFB matchup.

UTEP is still looking for their first win of the season as they head into this week seven matchup on the road vs. Western Kentucky. Kick-off is set for 8:00 ET from Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green. The game can be seen on ESNU, with the Hilltoppers coming in with a 3-2 record. The over/under is at 58.5 points, and Western Kentucky is -19.5 point favorites at home.

Miners vs. Hilltoppers Matchup At A Glance

Sport: CFB
Teams: UTEP Miners at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Where: Bowling Green at Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium
Date: Thursday, October 10th
Betting Odds WKENT -19.5, UTEP +700 | WKENT -1163 O/U 58.5

Miners Preview:

UTEP enters Week 7 against Western Kentucky with an 0-5 record, ranking 130th in our power rankings. Their chances of becoming bowl-eligible are slim, with only a 0.4% likelihood according to projections.

The Miners have been underdogs in all five games this season and have an average scoring margin of -16.8 points per game. Their ATS record stands at 1-3.

This week’s over/under line is set at 58.5 points, higher than their season average line of 51.1 points. UTEP’s over/under record is 1-3, with their games averaging 48.4 points.

Miners Offense Breakdown

Heading into week 7, UTEP’s offense ranks 130th in our offensive power rankings, averaging just 15.8 points per game. Their third-down conversion rate is low at 30.6%, and they are 116th in rushing, with 87.6 yards per game.

Skyler Locklear leads the passing game with 710 yards and a 63.5% completion rate. UTEP is 35th in passing attempts and 32nd in completions. Locklear has three touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 77. Kenny Odom has 359 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Miners Team Defense

UTEP's defense has struggled this season, giving up an average of 32.6 points per game. In their recent game against Sam Houston, they allowed 41 points, surrendering 519 total yards, including 295 rushing yards on 50 attempts.

Opponents have averaged 240.6 rushing yards per game against UTEP, while the secondary has allowed 196.6 passing yards per game. Quarterbacks have completed 67.3% of their passes, with a passer rating of 105.6 against UTEP’s defense.

Hilltoppers Preview:

The Miners have been underdogs in all five games this season and have an average scoring margin of -16.8 points per game. Their ATS record stands at 1-3.

This week’s over/under line is set at 58.5 points, higher than their season average line of 51.1 points. UTEP’s over/under record is 1-3, with their games averaging 48.4 points.

Hilltoppers Offense Breakdown

Western Kentucky’s offense is centered around their passing game, ranking 24th in passing attempts per game. They are 16th in completions, averaging 25 per game, and 33rd in passing yards with 281.8 yards per game. Caden Veltkamp leads the team with 883 passing yards and a 70.4% completion rate. He has thrown eight touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 104. Kisean Johnson has 392 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Overall, Western Kentucky is 66th in scoring, averaging 25.2 points per game, and they are 83rd in our offensive power rankings. Their third-down conversion rate is 36.4%, and they rank 112th in rushing, averaging 101.6 yards per game. Elijah Young leads the rushing attack with 218 yards, two touchdowns, and an average of 3 yards per carry.

Hilltoppers Team Defense

Western Kentucky's defense comes into this week ranked 46th nationally, allowing 25.2 points per game. In their recent matchup against Boston College, they gave up 21 points, surrendering 254 passing yards but holding the Eagles to just 65 rushing yards on 29 attempts. The defense also forced two interceptions in the game.

Opponents are averaging 233.2 passing yards per game against Western Kentucky, completing 63.2% of their throws. The Hilltoppers are ranked 118th in the nation against the run, giving up 168.6 rushing yards per game.

Miners vs Hilltoppers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the UTEP Miners last ten road games, the team averaged 19 points per game while allowing 29. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-5, while going 2-8 straight-up.
When looking at their past five home matchups, Western Kentucky has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 29 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
Looking back on the team's last ten games as the underdog, the UTEP Miners have a straight up record of 2-8. Their record vs the spread in these games was 6-4.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.