UTEP Miners vs. Florida International Panthers Prediction and Odds (10/11/2023): Sliding Miners Visit Struggling Panthers in Midweek Clash Looking for Victory

The UTEP Miners (1-5) and the Florida International Panthers (3-3) will face off on Wednesday night. UTEP has lost four straight, most recently losing to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 24-10 two weeks ago. The Miners were awful throwing the ball, with three quarterbacks combining to finish the contest 9-of-27 for 92 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, FIU was bested by New Mexico State 34-17 last Wednesday. Panthers QB Keyone Jenkins was under duress all game, getting sacked six times while throwing two picks.

UTEP Miners vs. FIU Panthers Odds and Match Details

• Fixture: UTEP Miners @ FIU Panthers
• Date and Time: October 11, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
• Location:  Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami, FL
• Weather Forecast: Partially Cloudy, 84 Degrees
• Field Surface: FieldTurf

UTEP Miners vs. FIU Panthers Injury Report

UTEP Miners Injuries

• Gavin Hardison (QB)-Arm: QUESTIONABLE
• Aaron Dumas (RB)-Transfer: OUT
• Tyrin Smith (WR)-Undisclosed: QUESTIONABLE
• Jake McNamara (QB)-Concussion: QUESTIONABLE
• Judah Ezinwa (TE)-Redshirt: OUT
• Mike Franklin (RB)-Undisclosed: QUESTIONABLE

FIU Panthers Injuries

• Lexington Joseph (RB)-Knee: QUESTIONABLE
• Keyone Jenkins (QB)-Concussion: PROBABLE
• Amari Jones (QB)-Achilles: OUT

UTEP Miners Key Stats

The UTEP Miners have scored 16.2 points per game, the second-lowest average in the C-USA. The passing attack has been horrific, completing just 53% of their passes. Starter Gavin Hardison has missed time, including their last game against Louisiana Tech. He is deemed day-to-day heading into Wednesday’s tilt. Hardison has thrown for five touchdowns against seven picks this season. Backup Cade McConnell will start if Hardison remains unavailable. McConnell is 4-for-11 for 48 yards and no scores or picks in 2023. The Miners average just 4.1 yards per rush attempt on 39 attempts per game. They are also one of the worst teams in holding onto the football.

Defensively, UTEP coughes up 28.2 points per game. The secondary has played well, holding opposing passers to a 60% completion percentage and under 200 yards passing per game. However, the rushing defense has been virtually nonexistent. They allow opping backs to average a league-high 5.2 yards per rushing attempt. The Miners surrender a conference-worst 6.2 yards per play on defense and are one of the worst teams in the country in forcing turnovers.

FIU Panthers Key Stats

The Florida Atlantic Panthers have labored on offense this season. They score 20.7 points per game while struggling to throw the football. Starting quarterback Keyone Jenkins completed 59% of his passes and has thrown for five touchdowns against six picks this season. Additionally, the Panthers have been brutal in running the ball, averaging 3.5 yards per rush attempt. They also average 1.8 turnovers committed per game.

FIU allows 27 points per game on defense. Opposing passers have done well, completing 59% of their passes for 238 passing yards per game. Opposing teams also have their way on the ground, averaging 5.1 yards per rush attempt. They are in the bottom three of the C-USA in yards allowed per game and yards allowed per play. However, they do a decent job of forcing turnovers (1.7 turnovers forced per game).

Game Prediction

I like the under in this matchup. The UTEP Miners have been terrible on offense year, specifically passing the ball. Meanwhile, FIU has also struggled to throw the football. Additionally, neither team runs the ball well. The defenses are both suspect, but the offenses provide little firepower to get excited about. So, let’s roll with the under in the C-USA tilt.