Week 7 of the NCAAF season unfolds the winless UTEP Miners (0-5) are ready for their next match against the WKU Hilltoppers (3-2), who have a .600 record. Scheduled to be held on October 10 and commencing at 8 PM ET at the Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, this match will be recorded as a game for the UTEP kids looking to salvage a tough season while the Hilltoppers looking to improve on their position. Our exclusive free NCAAF predictions have all the odds and picks for bettors to place bets on their favorite teams.
UTEP Miners vs. WKU Hilltoppers 10/10/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium |
| TV: | ESPNU |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
UTEP Miners (0-5) vs. WKU Hilltoppers (3-2)
UTEP Miners are looking for their initial breakthrough in the competition and are offensively impotent, as almost all their rushing and receiving stats demonstrate. Notably, Donerio Davenport, the running back leader of this team, has contributed 107 rushing yards from 31 attempts with only 3.5 yards gained on average also, the longest in a run for Donerio has only been 12 yards, signifying the trouble UTEP offensive rushing opponents blunders. In the same way, expansive notions, Stow shows the most potential in receiving the ball, having made 208 yards out of 17 catches, 12.2 yards per catch average, like in the game that brutalized Middle Tennessee vs Louisiana Tech today.
On the other hand, the WKU Hilltoppers have had a better start this season, owing mainly to their ability to rush and receive the ball equally well. Running back Elijah Young has 63 carries and has gained 218 rushing yards. He is a suitable ball carrier, going through tackles, but his average is 3.5 yards per carry. Kisean Johnson is another wide receiver for the Hilltoppers who has made 29 receptions for 392 receiving yards with an average of 13.5 yards and four touchdowns. These attacking players, notably the mentioned duo, perfectly recreate the tensions anticipated in tonight’s game. Although JMU will likely impose its passing wide-spread offense principles, both teams must run the ball and vice versa. A similar game will take place between Coastal Carolina vs James Madison today.
Jack Turner QB vs. Caden Veltkamp QB
Jack Turner is the leader of UTEP’s offense, and this season, he passed for 392 yards at a 51.7% completion rate. He seems capable even in limited conditions, as he completed passes of up to 71 yards, although he also threw four interceptions and took four sacks. Turner’s improvement is also significant, especially since he wants better protection and accuracy, which will be critical for UTEP to snap its losing run.
On the other hand, WKU’s Caden Veltkamp has not been passive and recorded 883 passing yards with 70.4% completions. He has 8 touchdowns against 4 interceptions. So, it is easy to see that Veltkamp is good at reading his opponents and punishing them for their mistakes. Like that of Turner, his longest pass stood at 72 yards, illustrating that he can produce consistent performance in diverse situations.
The passing battle between the quarterbacks Turner and Veltkamp will likely be a significant determining factor in the outcome of this match. Turner has to work on his decision-making skills to decrease mistakes and help UTEP compete with the calculative analytical Hilltoppers defense. At the same time, however, Veltkamp is expected to easily grab the offense for WKU, with better statistics and adjustments during games, probably hitting the injured spots of the Miners’ defense for scoring chances.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: WKU Hilltoppers -19.5, Total Odds: 55.5
The betting odds favor the WKU Hilltoppers with a -19.5 spread, reflecting their stronger form and home-field advantage. The total odds at 55.5 suggest an anticipation of moderate scoring with potential for explosive plays. Bettors should consider WKU’s ability to capitalize on UTEP’s vulnerabilities, especially given their contrasting trends in recent games.
UTEP Miners Betting Trends
UTEP enters this matchup with significant challenges reflected in their betting trends. Having gone 1-4 ATS in their last five games and 0-8 SU in their last eight, the Miners have struggled both on the road and against Conference USA opponents, recording a 1-6 SU in recent matchups within the conference. However, their 9-1 ATS record against East Division foes provides a glimpse of potential underdog success.
WKU Hilltoppers Betting Trends
WKU’s betting trends indicate a team in strong form with 6-1 ATS in their last seven games and a robust 8-0 SU against Conference USA opponents. Their home performance further boosts confidence with a 7-2 SU record, suggesting a solid hold over opponents in familiar territory. Their trends depict reliability and strategic discipline when targeting divisional games.
UTEP Miners vs. WKU Hilltoppers 10/10/24 Betting Picks
Evaluating all layers of performance and strategic alignments, the WKU Hilltoppers appear well-equipped to take command of this encounter. Their adept aerial game and a more consistent ground strategy should help them cover the spread effectively and push through the limits of UTEP’s defensive structures.
For fans and bettors alike, this game is where considering prop bets might yield significant returns, primarily focused on individual player performances. The over/under set at 55.5 also invites careful consideration, particularly viewing the historical trends towards the under. Utilizing exclusive premium handicappers can provide sharper insights into nuanced betting selections for this matchup.