New Mexico Bowl: UTEP vs. Utah State Free Picks & Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 12/15/2014
New Mexico Bowl
Saturday, December 20, 2:20 PM on ESPN
University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
In the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, the UTEP Miners (7-5) will be taking on the Utah State Aggies (9-4), who won five of their final six games of the regular season. Both teams ended up finishing in second play in their respective conferences.
In their final home game, UTEP scored a touchdown with six minutes to go in the fourth quarter to beat Middle Tennessee 24-21. They didn't have a turnover in that win and they ended up converting seven of their 13 third down chances.
UTEP's offense scored 28.3 points per game this season, but their defense allowed opponents to score 28.7 points per game against them. Running back Aaron Jones has averaged 5.7 yards per carry this season and has 1,233 yards with 11 scores.
In their last regular season game, Utah State had their four-game winning streak come to an end when Boise State blew them out 50-19 on the road. The Aggies had three turnovers in that loss and only ended up with 268 total yards of offense. Quarterback Jameill Showers has 1,732 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
In 13 games, the Aggies had one of the top 25 defenses in the country by only allowing opposing offenses to score 20.8 points per game against them. Wide receiver Hunter Sharp has been their most consistent offensive threat by catching 63 passes for 918 yards and a team-best seven touchdowns.
Texas-El Paso Miners Betting Trends
Texas-El Paso Miners are 8-3-1 Against the Spread
Texas-El Paso Miners are 5-7-0 against the Over/Under
Utah State Aggies Betting Trends
Utah State Aggies are 6-7-0 Against the Spread
Utah State Aggies are 6-5-0 against the Over/Under
Injuries to Watch
Texas-El Paso Miners
12/07/14 LB Anthony Puente Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs Utah State
12/07/14 C Paulo Melendez Concussion "?" Saturday vs Utah State
09/23/14 RB Jeremiah Laufasa Knee out for season
08/15/14 OL Kyle Brown Lung out for season
Utah State Aggies
11/10/14 LB LT Filiaga Undisclosed out for season
11/05/14 WR Hayden Weichers Suspension out indefinitely
10/30/14 QB Craig Harrison Knee out indefinitely
10/19/14 QB Darell Garretson Wrist out for season
10/01/14 QB Chuckie Keeton Knee out for season
09/09/14 WR Brandon Swindall Achilles out for season
09/09/14 WR Shaan Johnson Knee out for season
09/03/14 LB Kyler Fackrell Knee out for season
08/23/14 LB Alex Huerta Shoulder out for season
Josh's Pick: Take Utah State
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