The Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders (3-4, 0-3 CUSA) will be out to snap their losing streak when they travel to face the University of Texas-El Paso Miners (4-4, 2-2 CUSA) at Sun Bowl on Saturday.
The Miners are 1.5-point favorites, and the total is 52. Middle Tennessee is coming off a 35-17 loss to Western Kentucky at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium on October 15, their third consecutive defeat. Chase Cunningham was 32 of 51 for 228 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran nine times for 29 yards and a touchdown. Yusuf Ali caught six passes for 43 yards.
UTEP beat Florida Atlantic 24-21 at Sun Bowl last Saturday. Gavin Hardison threw for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Deion Hankins carried 17 times for 138 yards. Tyrin Smith hauled in seven receptions for 70 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since November 2018, a 48-32 win for the Blue Raiders.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Blue Raiders are averaging 28.0 points per game for the season, eighth in the CUSA, and they are facing a Miners defense that has surrendered 27.9 PPG (4th). Meanwhile, UTEP has scored 22.4 points a game this season, 10th in the conference, and Middle Tennessee is allowing 31.6 PPG (7th).
The Blue Raiders rank as one of the country’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (105.0, 117th), while they are 54th in passing yards (255.0). The Miners are 29th in passing yards allowed per game (195.1) and 87th against the run (157.5). UTEP is 78th in the country in passing yards per game (228.4) and 73rd in rushing (145.4). Middle Tennessee’s defense has been most beatable through the air, as the Blue Raiders are 122nd in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (282.6). Against the run, the Blue Raiders are 67th (143.9).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through seven games, Chase Cunningham has thrown for 10 touchdowns (5 INT) and 256.0 yards per game to lead Middle Tennessee in passing. In four away games this season, he has six TDs (3 INT) and an average of 245.0 yards passing. Frank Peasant leads the team in rushing with an average of 51.7 yards a game over seven games. He has six touchdowns on the ground and one through the air.
Jaylin Lane is the Blue Raiders’ leading receiver with 84.3 yards a game and two TDs. Gavin Hardison has nine passing touchdowns (7 INT) with 220.5 yards per game through eight games to lead UTEP. In four home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 186.8 yards. Ronald Awatt has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 61.3 yards a game through eight games. He has two touchdowns. Tyrin Smith has been the primary target in the Miners’ passing game. He has four touchdowns and an 85.8 yard per game average through eight appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UTEP (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
