Free College Football Picks Today: University of Texas at El Paso Miners vs Florida International Panthers 11/19/22

The Florida International University Panthers (4-6, 2-4 CUSA) head to take on the University of Texas-El Paso Miners (4-6, 2-4 CUSA) at Sun Bowl on Saturday. The Miners are 14-point favorites, and the total is 51.FIU is coming off a crushing 52-7 loss to Florida Atlantic at Riccardo Silva Stadium last Saturday. Grayson James was 9 of 26 for 56 yards and two interceptions.

Lexington Joseph ran 11 times for 87 yards. Tyrese Chambers caught two passes for 28 yards. UTEP lost 37-30 to Rice at Rice Stadium on November 3. Gavin Hardison threw for 159 yards and a touchdown. Calvin Brownholtz carried eight times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Tyrin Smith hauled in six receptions for 79 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2019, a 32-17 win for the Panthers.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Panthers are averaging 19.0 points per game for the season, 120th in FBS, and they are facing a Miners defense that has surrendered 28.4 PPG (85th). Meanwhile, UTEP has scored 22.2 points a game this season, 104th in the nation, and FIU is allowing 37.4 PPG (127th).

The Panthers rank 90th in the nation in passing yards per game (215.5) and 106th in rushing (116.2), while the Miners are 47th in passing yards allowed per game (216.0) and 80th against the run (154.1). UTEP is 88th in the country in passing yards per game (217.7) and 78th in rushing (141.8).

FIU’s defense has been most vulnerable through the air, as the Panthers are 111th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (265.3). Against the run, the Panthers are 103rd (179.8).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 10 games, Grayson James has thrown for 11 touchdowns (10 INT) and 190.6 yards per game to lead FIU in passing. In five away games this season, he has four TDs (5 INT) and an average of 178.4 yards passing.

Lexington Joseph leads the team in rushing with an average of 50.8 yards a game over 10 games. He has five touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Tyrese Chambers is the Panthers’ leading receiver with 59.4 yards a game and four TDs.

Gavin Hardison has 11 passing touchdowns (8 INT) with 204.4 yards per game through 10 games to lead UTEP. In five home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (2 INT) and an average of 184.8 yards.

Deion Hankins has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 58.9 yards a game through 10 games. He has three touchdowns. Tyrin Smith has been the primary target in the Miners’ passing game. He has five touchdowns and an 88.2 yard per game average through 10 appearances.