Neither of these teams have been playing well in recent weeks.
Going into the season as the favorite to win Conference USA, Liberty is 1-4 overall and is on a four-game losing streak. That includes a 34-24 loss at CUSA foe Jacksonville State which began this stretch for the Flames.
In fact, none of those losses were even decided by single digits.
UTEP is also 1-4 and 0-1 in league play. The Miners started off 1-1 with a win over FCS UT Martin, but they’ve lost three straight since then. Most recently, UTEP lost at home 30-11 against Louisiana Tech.
One of these teams will break those losing skids – which one will it be?
Liberty vs. UTEP Spread & Betting Odds
UTEP is a +1.5 college football betting odds underdog against Liberty, with the Over/Under being 46.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for Liberty is -115, while it’s -105 for UTEP.
Liberty vs. UTEP On TV
The matchup between Liberty and UTEP will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The contest is taking place at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
Liberty vs. UTEP Prediction
I predict UTEP will win and cover the 1.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 46.5 total points.
No matter who wins, I believe this will be a low-scoring game. UTEP and Liberty have both been solid defensively – not perfect, but solid. The Miners are first in Conference USA in total defense with 340.4 yards per game allowed, while the Flames are fourth with 387.8 yards per contest allowed. Liberty is fifth in CUSA in scoring defense with 23.2 points per game allowed, and UTEP is seventh with 26.6 PPG allowed.
The thing that gives me concern is that the quarterback situation is unclear at UTEP. Malachi Nelson won the job Day 1, and the former five-star prospect has thrown for 1,142 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions. But in UTEP’s last game, a 30-11 loss against CUSA frontrunner Louisiana Tech, Skyler Locklear entered the game. He was 4-for-6 passing for 74 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
But no matter who’s at quarterback for the Miners, I like their offense more than Liberty’s. The Flames have steadily been less and less productive on that side of the ball. They scored a season-high 28 points against FCS Maine in their only win. Since then, they’ve scored 24 points at Jacksonville State, 13 against Bowling Green and James Madison, and then just seven at Old Dominion.
I think UTEP’s defense will flourish in this game at home, and I anticipate the Miners will score just enough to win.
