Devonte Robinson (3) and LaJuan Hunt celebrate a touchdown in Utah State’s win over BYU earlier this season. (Getty)
The Basics
Who:
Utah State (9-4) vs. UTEP (7-5), Gildan New Mexico Bowl
When:
Saturday, 2:20 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
Where:
University Stadium, Albuquerque
Line:
Utah State (-10.5). Line provided by bovada.lv
All-Time Series:
Utah State 2-0
Last Year’s New Mexico Bowl:
Colorado State 48, Washington State 45, on Dec. 21, 2013
Heavy’s Pick
Ball security probably doesn’t pop into your head when talking about UTEP’s offense. But only the nearly-flawless Heisman winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks have less turnovers than the Miners (Oregon has 8, UTEP 11). Utah State isn’t far behind, giving it away just 19 times in 13 games.
So does that mean we’re in for a clean, mistake-free New Mexico Bowl? Maybe not. UTEP QB Jameill Showers has accounted for 16 touchdowns and threw 3 of his 5 interceptions in 1 game. But he’s facing a ball-hawking USU defense, which has forced 29 takeaways (18 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries), good for a tie for 7th in the FBS.
The Aggies allow just over 20 points per game, and UTEP hasn’t given much indication lately it will score more than that. Utah State doesn’t put up eye-popping numbers either, but it is more battle-tested and that’ll show Saturday.
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Utah State vs. UTEP: Time, Channel, Line & Prediction