The FIU Panthers seek their first victory in conference play this season when they host the UTEP Miners on Wednesday in a Conference USA matchup. FIU (3-3, 0-3), which went just 2-6 against conference rivals last year, remained winless in 2023 with its 34-17 loss at New Mexico State last week. UTEP (1-5, 0-2) also enters without a conference win this season as it was defeated by Louisiana Tech 24-10 in its last outing. The Panthers have a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series, including a 2-0 mark at home.
Kickoff at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Panthers are 3-point favorites in the latest SportsLine consensus FIU vs. UTEP odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 43.5. Before making any UTEP vs. FIU picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of more than $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on FIU vs. UTEP and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine to see the model’s CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for UTEP vs. FIU:
- FIU vs. UTEP spread: Panthers -3
- FIU vs. UTEP over/under: 43.5 points
- FIU vs. UTEP money line: Panthers -153, Miners +128
- FIU: The Panthers are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven conference games
- UTEP: The Miners are 1-5 ATS both overall this season and in their last six road contests
- FIU vs. UTEP picks: See picks at SportsLine
- FIU vs. UTEP live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why FIU can cover
The Panthers have one of the top receivers in Conference USA in Kris Mitchell, who leads the conference and ranks 11th in FBS with 550 yards on 31 receptions. The junior, who also is second in CUSA with four touchdown catches, has had at least 89 receiving yards in four of his last five contests and is averaging 91.7 this season. Mitchell has a penchant for big plays as he has four receptions of over 40 yards this year and at least one of 38 or more yards in each of his last six games.
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers are led by linebackers Donovan Manuel and Alex Nobles. Manuel ranks first in FBS with an average of 0.67 forced fumbles and ninth with 10.5 tackles per game. Nobles leads FIU with 3.5 sacks this year after registering two in 14 games over his previous three seasons and recorded the only points for the Panthers in their 40-6 loss to UTEP in 2022, returning a fumble 84 yards for a touchdown. See which team to pick here.
Why UTEP can cover
After being limited to 91 rushing yards in their 45-28 loss to UNLV on Sept. 23, the Miners gained 224 yards on the ground against Louisiana Tech the following week. Junior Deion Hankins led the attack with 83 yards on 15 carries, while sophomore Torrance Burgess Jr. ran 11 times for 68 yards. Hankins, who leads the team with 380 yards but amassed only 69 over his previous three games, is 10th on UTEP’s all-time rushing list with 2,172 yards.
Hankins is hoping to at least duplicate the performance he had against the Panthers last season, when he ran for 81 yards to become one of three players to gain at least 80 of the Miners’ 335 rushing yards. Another looking to repeat his effort is wideout Kelly Akharaiyi, who made three catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in UTEP’s 40-6 rout. The junior is the Miners’ top receiver this year with 290 yards on 17 receptions and posted his first career 100-yard performance in the 2023 opener against Jacksonville State as he hauled in four passes for 102 yards and a TD. See which team to pick here.
How to make FIU vs. UTEP picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 49 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins FIU vs. UTEP, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the UTEP vs. FIU spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of more than $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
