Arizona Wildcats vs UTEP Miners Game Preview, Pick and Vegas Odds

For the first time in 40 years, the UTEP Miners are hosting the Arizona Wildcats in El Paso, Texas. This Friday night game kicks off at 10:15 P.M ET inside the Sun Bowl. The game will be televised on ESPN, which is the second time ever that the global sports network will broadcast a UTEP game from the Sun Bowl.

NCAAF Game Preview and Betting Lines: Arizona Wildcats vs UTEP Miners

This is the first time these two teams have played since 2003, and Arizona has dominated this head-to-head series dating all the way back to 1916. Their game on Friday, September 15th, should be no different.

The Wildcats (1-1) are better on paper and on the field than UTEP. However, their season has not gone as well as they had hoped. A loss to Houston derailed their plans for a 2-0 start to their season. With an easier opponent this week, Arizona looks to rebound in a big way and start a winning streak that hopefully carries them into conference play.

The UTEP (0-2) Miners look like they’re still digging for a clue on how to play offense as the team has averaged only 10.5 points per game. It feels like the school and town of El Paso are just excited to have ESPN visiting and not really concerned that there’s a game against the Wildcats.

The spread opened with Arizona favored by 20 points and it’s currently holding steading at this large number. The Over/Under opened at 57 points, but has since gone up to 60.5 total points.

Game Prediction and Free Vegas Over Bet: Over 60.5 Total Points

When looking at Arizona’s defense, you can’t help but think that they should be 0-2 and contesting for the bottom of the Pac 12 conference. In 2 games, the Wildcats are giving up 472 yards per game and they’ve only played Houston and Northern Arizona. Yes, I wish that I could put some emojis after that sentence because it’s horrible how many yards they’re giving up. However, it appears that they have perfected the “bend, but don’t break” philosophy because they’re only allowing 21.5 points per game.

What’s even worse than Arizona’s defense is UTEP’s defense, which has given up 556 yards per game. Even more eye popping, is the 243 yards per game on the ground that the Miners are allowing. Arizona has totaled 329 yards rushing per game and is salivating over the thought of how many yards they can tally this week. Could we see 400 rushing yards for the Wildcats?

Other than ESPN being in town, the only interesting storyline heading into this game is the return of Theron Aych who was with the UTEP Miners last season. Not that Arizona needs any extra help, but having a former UTEP coach can’t hurt any.

The Over is 4-2 in Arizona’s last 6 games and 5-1 in their last 6 games on the road.

These two defenses give up a lot of yards, so we could easily see a repeat of the Arizona vs. NAU game where the Wildcats scored over 60 points and NAU chipped in another 24. I can’t imagine how UTEP will stop Arizona’s rushing attack, and I’m sure the UTEP defense can’t either. Neither team has been good ATS, so the best bet in this game is the Over.

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