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At Sun Bowl Stadium on Saturday, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-4) play the UTEP Miners (3-6).
The Hilltoppers are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -9) versus the Miners. The over/under for this game is 54.5 points.
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Game Info for Western Kentucky vs. UTEP
- Game Day: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Game Time: 9:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Location: El Paso, Texas
- Stadium: Sun Bowl Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | -9 | -110 | -110 | 54.5 | -109 | -111 | -348 | +273 |
Western Kentucky Pick Insights
- Western Kentucky has gone 4-3-0 ATS this season.
- Western Kentucky is 1-0 against the spread so far this season when playing as at least 9-point favorites.
- The teams have hit the over in three of Western Kentucky’s seven games with a set total.
Western Kentucky Stats & Insights
- Western Kentucky sports the 63rd-ranked offense this season (395.4 yards per game), and have been less effective on the other side of the ball, ranking third-worst with 467.1 yards allowed per game.
- Western Kentucky is compiling 29.9 points per game on offense (58th in the FBS), and ranks 100th on the other side of the ball with 29.5 points allowed per game.
- Western Kentucky has the 106th-ranked defense this season in terms of passing yards (248.5 allowed per game), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 17th-best with 291.9 passing yards per game.
- It’s been a tough stretch for Western Kentucky in terms of running the ball, ranking 16th-worst in rushing offense (103.5 rushing yards per game) and fourth-worst in rushing defense (218.6 rushing yards per game allowed) in 2023.
- Western Kentucky is putting up a 38.5% third-down conversion rate on offense, which ranks them 79th in the FBS. On the other side of the ball, the defense ranks 87th, giving up a 40.3% third-down conversion rate.
- Western Kentucky has forced 18 total turnovers (third in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 10 times (47th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +8, the ninth-best in college football.
Western Kentucky’s Best Players
- Austin Reed has thrown for 2,273 yards (284.1 ypg) to lead Western Kentucky, completing 60.2% of his passes and tossing 20 touchdown passes compared to five interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 94 rushing yards on 29 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
- Markese Stepp has 232 rushing yards on 47 carries with two touchdowns.
- Elijah Young has been handed the ball 47 times this year and racked up 187 yards (23.4 per game) with one touchdown.
- Malachi Corley’s leads his squad with 652 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 49 catches (out of 78 targets) and scored seven touchdowns.
- Easton Messer has caught 27 passes for 335 yards (41.9 yards per game) and three touchdowns this year.
- Dalvin Smith has hauled in 25 catches for 234 yards, an average of 29.3 yards per game. He’s scored two times as a receiver this season.
- Kendrick Simpkins has racked up five sacks to pace the team, while also picking up six TFL and 34 tackles.
- Western Kentucky’s leading tackler, Talique Allen, has 39 tackles this year.
- Anthony Johnson Jr. leads the team with two interceptions, while also putting up 26 tackles, one TFL, and two passes defended.
UTEP Betting Insights
- UTEP is 2-6-0 against the spread this year.
- UTEP has not yet covered the spread as underdogs of 9 points or more this season (0-1).
- UTEP hase hit the over in two of eight games with a set total (25%).
UTEP Pick Insights
- UTEP is putting up 360.9 total yards per contest on offense this season (87th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 385 total yards per contest (81st-ranked).
- UTEP’s offense has been a bottom-25 unit this season, compiling 18.7 points per game, which ranks 12th-worst in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, it ranks 80th with 27.2 points allowed per contest.
- UTEP is compiling 201.4 passing yards per contest on offense this season (99th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 204.9 passing yards per game (38th-ranked) on defense.
- UTEP’s defense has been bottom-25 in run defense this season, surrendering 180.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks 19th-worst in the FBS. On offense, it ranks 61st with 159.4 rushing yards per contest.
- UTEP ranks 14th-worst in third-down conversion rate (31.4%), but it has been more productive on the other side of the ball, ranking 105th in the FBS with a 43.6% third-down rate allowed.
- UTEP has forced six turnovers this season and have turned it over 12 times, leading to a -6 turnover margin that is 16th-worst in the FBS.
UTEP’s Best Players
- Gavin Hardison has racked up 947 yards on 56.6% passing while tossing five touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season.
- Deion Hankins has run for 679 yards on 123 carries so far this year while scoring three times on the ground.
- Torrance Burgess Jr. has run for 529 yards across 108 carries, scoring two touchdowns. He’s chipped in with 13 catches for 184 yards.
- Kelly Akharaiyi has collected 32 receptions this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 645 (71.7 yards per game). He’s been targeted 66 times and has four touchdowns.
- Jeremiah Ballard has 26 receptions (on 47 targets) for a total of 434 yards (48.2 yards per game) and one touchdown this year.
- Tyrin Smith has racked up 191 reciving yards (21.2 ypg) and one touchdown this season.
- Maurice Westmoreland has 5.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has six TFL and 26 tackles.
- UTEP’s leading tackler, Tyrice Knight, has 86 tackles, eight TFL, and 2.5 sacks this year.
- Praise Amaewhule has picked off a team-leading one pass. He also has 26 tackles, four TFL, five sacks, and one pass defended to his name.
