The University of North Carolina Charlotte 49ers (1-4, 0-1 CUSA) host the University of Texas-El Paso Miners (2-3, 0-1 CUSA) at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday. The Miners are three-point favorites, and the total is 50. UTEP is coming off a convincing 27-10 win over Boise State at Sun Bowl last Friday. Gavin Hardison was 10 of 11 for 123 yards and a touchdown. Deion Hankins ran 21 times for 86 yards. Jeremiah Ballard caught four passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Charlotte lost 56-20 to South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium last Saturday. Chris Reynolds threw for 213 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Shadrick Byrd carried nine times for 33 yards. Grant DuBose caught four receptions for 60 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2020, a 38-28 win for the 49ers. Reynolds threw two touchdowns for Charlotte. Hardison tossed two touchdowns for UTEP, as Justin Garrett found the end zone twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Miners are averaging 16.6 points per game for the season, 122nd in FBS, and they are facing a 49ers defense that has surrendered 47.4 PPG (130th). Meanwhile, Charlotte has scored 24.0 points a game this season, 97th in the nation, and UTEP is allowing 25.2 PPG (70th).The Miners rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (99.2, 117th), while they are 94th in passing yards (211.2). They may find their best opportunities on the ground, as the 49ers are 129th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (253.6). Against the pass, Charlotte is 127th (307.4).Charlotte has been one of the nation’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 93.6 yards per game (119th), while ranking 44th in passing yards (274.2). The Miners are allowing 156.8 passing yards (11th) and 176.2 rushing yards per game (103rd).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through five games, Hardison has thrown for three touchdowns (3 INT) and 202.4 yards per game to lead UTEP in passing. In two away games this season, he has zero TDs (3 INT) and an average of 221.5 yards passing. Ronald Awatt leads the team in rushing with an average of 55.4 yards a game over five games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Tyrin Smith is the Miners’ leading receiver with 72.4 yards a game and two TDs. Reynolds has nine passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 246.7 yards per game through three games to lead Charlotte. Byrd has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 39.0 yards a game through five games. Elijah Spencer has been the primary target in the 49ers’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 75.6 yard per game average through five appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UTEP (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
