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A pair of struggling programs from Conference USA take the field in search of a victory in the Volunteer State. The UTEP Miners are on the road as they make the trip to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Saturday afternoon. UTEP fell 21-13 at home to Western Kentucky at home back on November 4, though they covered the line as a 10-point underdog. They had a bye last week. Middle Tennessee cruised to a 40-6 home win over FIU last Saturday, covering the line as a 10.5-point favorite in their previous contest. In the all-time series between the teams, the Blue Raiders own a 4-1 advantage and have taken the last three matchups. That includes a 24-13 road win in the most recent matchup on October 29, 2022.
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UTEP is rested for this one after coming in off a bye last week following their loss to Western Kentucky back on November 4. The Miners enter this game 3-7 overall and stand tied for fifth in Conference USA with a 2-4 record. Against Western Kentucky, UTEP led 3-0 at the half before giving up two third-quarter touchdowns to trail 14-3. The Miners got as close as 14-10 but never were able to come back and regain the lead. UTEP held a 368-280 edge in total offense, picked up 19 first downs while allowing 11 and controlled the clock by a 33:10 to 26:50 margin in the contest yet fell short. Each team turned the ball over once in the game.
The Miners come into this contest 94th in the FBS in passing offense with 202.7 yards per game through the air and 65th in rushing offense with 159.3 yards per game. UTEP is only 127th in scoring offense with an average of 18.1 points p er contest and 70th in scoring defense as they allow an average of 26.6 points per game. Gavin Hardison has hit 73 of 129 passes for 947 yards with five touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Cade McConnell (56 of 107, 909 yards, four touchdowns, two INT), Kevin Hurley (eight of 19, 139 yards, TD, 47 rush yards, two TD) and Cade McNamara (three of seven, 32 yards, INT, 32 rush yards, TD) have seen work under center as well. Deion Hankins leads the Miners on the ground with 139 carries for 746 yards and three scores this season. Torrance Burgess Jr. (123 carries, 615 yards, two TD) and Mike Franklin (30 carries, 124 yards, two TD) have also been in the mix on the ground. Kelly Akharaiyi leads the team with 37 receptions for 786 yards and five scores this season. Jeremiah Ballard (30 catches, 464 yards, TD), Tyrin Smith (19 grabs, 191 yards, TD) and Burgess Jr. (14 receptions, 183 yards) are reliable secondary targets in the passing game. Buzz Flabiano has hit all 22 ext ra point attempts and nine of 13 field goal attempts with a long of 43 this season.
Hardison (arm) last played on September 23 against UNLV and remains out indefinitely. McNamara (concussion) last played on September 29, Smith (undisclosed) last played against Arizona on September 16 and tight end Zach Fryar (undisclosed) last saw the field against Sam Houston State on October 25. All three are questionable for this contest.
Free Daily NFL Lock Pick, Thursday November 16th: Baltimore vs Cincinnati 8:15pm ET CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW