The UTEP Miners have been struggling on defense, but against the equally woeful Tulane Green Wave offense, getting the win and cover should not be a problem.
With a 2-14 SU and 3-12 ATS record in its last 16 games, Tulane has certainly been taking it on the chin lately.
The Green Wave haven’t had any success at home either notching a woeful 1-7 SU and 0-7 ATS mark in their last eight tries. Texas-El Paso enters this Conference USA affair off its stunning home loss to UAB and the Miners will be looking to take their frustrations out here.
Believe it or not, there is actually a strong late-season college system that favors UTEP on Saturday afternoon. Since 1980, Game 9 or 10 road favorites priced at -15 or less are an outstanding 105-54 ATS provided they carry a win/loss percentage greater than .125 and less than .500, and their opponent is a losing team. On Saturday, Texas El Paso and Utah State fit this system perfectly. (Colorado State would apply too if the Rams were favored at Hawaii.)
Defensively the Miners have struggled. UTEP has allowed an average of 33.9 points and 470.1 total yards per game this season. That’s bad enough to rank the Miners 116th in the nation in total defense. That fact is noted.
However, under the direction of redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Griffin, Tulane’s offense has been stuck in neutral. The Green Wave has averaged only 13.4 points and 314 total yards per game this season. That’s a far cry from UTEP’s offensive averages of 26.0 points and 378 total yards per game.
Tulane has lost its last four games by the combined score of 160-32! Even though the Green Wave will move the football a little better against this soft Miners defense, Tulane won’t be able to match points with an El Paso offense that is led by quarterback Trevor Vittatoe and RB Donald Buckram. Take UTEP!
Free Pick: UTEP -6½ (-110)
