Liberty Flames (11-0) vs. UTEP Miners (3-8)
Liberty Flames vs. UTEP Miners 11/25/23 – As we gear up for a riveting Week 13 showdown in NCAAF, the undefeated Liberty Flames are set to take on the struggling UTEP Miners. Scheduled for Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the Sun Bowl, this game is attracting significant attention, especially from top handicapper insights, due to the contrasting forms of both teams. The Liberty Flames boast an impeccable 11-0 record, showcasing their dominance this season, while the UTEP Miners have had a challenging run, holding a 3-8 record. This game is not just a clash of teams but of contrasting fortunes and strategies.
The Liberty Flames enter this game with one of the most dynamic offenses in college football, led by quarterback Kaidon Salter. Salter has put up video game numbers so far this year, with over 2,400 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, and a stellar 183.8 passer rating. Halfback Quinton Cooley has established himself as one of the best running backs in the nation as well, racking up over 1,100 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. The Miners defense, which gives up over 33 points per game, could be in for a world of hurt trying to slow this Liberty attack down.
For UTEP Miners, quarterback Cade McConnell has put together a decent year, but the junior signal-caller simply doesn’t have the weapons around him to keep up with elite offenses like Liberty’s. The Miners best player is wideout Kelly Akharaiyi, who leads the team with 43 catches for 924 yards. However, Akharaiyi has scored just over half of UTEP’s receiving touchdowns in 2022, illustrating the lack of other dynamic playmakers the Miners have on offense.
Liberty Flames vs. UTEP Miners 11/25/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Sun Bowl |
| TV: | CBSSN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Kaidon Salter QB vs. Cade McConnell QB
Kaidon Salter has taken the college football world by storm in his first year running Liberty’s offense, emerging as a dark horse Heisman candidate late this season. The redshirt freshman displays elite arm talent, throwing darts to all levels of the field. He has great anticipation and often throws his receivers open, showing the confidence of a seasoned NFL vet. Salter is equally dangerous with his legs, using his mobility to extend plays and pick up chunk rushing gains when the opportunity is there. While he has been known to make some risky throws which lead to interceptions at times, his sky-high upside and penchant for spectacular plays outweighs these sporadic miscues.
Cade McConnell is the definition of a solid, game-manager type quarterback – but that kind of cautious style is unlikely to be enough to take down this Liberty squad. The San Antonio native displays decent accuracy in the short and intermediate ranges, but lacks the elite arm strength to consistently challenge defenses deep. He has also struggled against the blitz at times this year and can be quick to throw checkdowns rather than fully progress through his reads. With the Flames likely to bring frequent pressure on passing downs, McConnell’s limitations could be exposed in this matchup.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Liberty Flames -800, Total Odds: 56.5
The betting odds heavily favor the Liberty Flames, reflecting their strong season performance. The -800 moneyline on the Flames is indicative of their dominance and the challenges that face the Miners. However, the total odds of 56.5 suggest an expectation of a high-scoring affair, which could be influenced by both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Liberty Flames Betting Trends
The Flames have been sensational from a betting perspective this year, covering spreads at an impressive 9-3 clip. They also have flown over the total in four of their last five outings. Liberty is currently on a perfect 10-0 SU run and has won 12 straight matchups against Conference USA opponents. The one area of slight concern when wagering on Liberty is their middling 3-7 ATS record in November games over the past few seasons. Still, very little about their cumulative body of work this year suggests they are primed for a letdown.
UTEP Miners Betting Trends
The Miners enter this game on a solid 4-1 ATS stretch their last five times out. However, against better competition they have struggled mightily, with an 0-7 straight up record their last seven games overall. UTEP has played a lot of low-scoring, defense-oriented contests in 2022, going under the total in four of their past six. Notably, the under has cashed in 10 of their last 11 home games at the Sun Bowl. When facing Independent conference foes like Liberty over recent years, UTEP has again trended under with a 4-1 mark their last five in the series. With only two SU wins their last 18 November contests, the prospects of a Miners upset victory in their house finale look slim.
Liberty Flames vs. UTEP Miners 11/25/23 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical analysis and betting trends, the Liberty Flames stand out as the stronger team, both in terms of overall performance and betting trends. However, the UTEP Miners’ recent ATS record and defensive strength at home should not be overlooked, making them a potential value pick against the spread.
In terms of NCAAF daily predictions, while the Liberty Flames are the safer bet to win, the point spread presents a more nuanced choice. The Miners’ ability to keep games close, especially at home, might make them an attractive pick against the spread. As for the total, given the trends, a cautious approach might lean towards the UNDER, particularly considering UTEP’s defensive record at home.
Free Pick and Prediction: Liberty Flames 34, UTEP Miners 20