We have an exciting Conference USA matchup between UTEP (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS) and Charlotte (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) on Saturday at a rainy Jerry Richardson Stadium at 6pmET.
These teams last met in 2020 with Charlotte winning 38-28 at home as a 17.5-point favorite.
The Miners are coming off a huge upset of Boise State, 27-10 at home as a 16.5-point dog. After upsetting Georgia State on Sept. 17 as a 20-point dog (42-41), reality hit the 49ers as they fell at South Carolina 56-20 as a 24-point dog.
UTEP had a rough start to the season heading to their game against Boise State last Friday. They fell to North Texas at home (31-13), lost at Oklahoma (45-13), beat a bad New Mexico State team (20-13) as a 17-point favorite and lost at New Mexico (27-10) as a 2-point road favorite. The Miners shocked the world when they beat Mountain West-darling Boise State at home 27-10. They played a tremendous game on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Broncos to just 84 rushing yards and 93 passing yards. Offensively, they were efficient, rushing for 199 yards and keeping possession for 40:35.
UTEP's Marcus Bellon takes it to the house on a punt return ?? pic.twitter.com/6KpPVdIqUv
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 24, 2022
UTEP QB Gavin Hardison managed the game well with 123 yards (10-of-11) with one TD and a pick. He has completed just 52% of his passes for 1,125 yards with three TDs and three picks. Hardison is not a major threat as a runner (3yds). The Miners are averaging just 339.8 yards per game and 233.8 passing yards (81st) with 106 rushing yards (113th), so they are not the most explosive offense. They scored just two offensive touchdowns against Boise State and had a third on a 47-yard punt return from Marcus Bellon.
Defensively, they have been very good led by Cal Wallerstedt (3.0 sacks). The Miners are allowing just 336 yards per game (41st), 157 passing yards (11th) and 179.2 rushing yards (105th). Fortunately, the 49ers are not a strong running team.