Week 8 tips and odds

Two C-USA programs are in desperate need of a win as FIU travels to El Paso, Texas to face UTEP in the Sun Bowl on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET (CBSSN).

• Our FIU vs. UTEP prediction assumes the Panthers will win by more than a touchdown against a UTEP team that is 0-6 this season
• FIU has played in the last two games, including against G5 College Football Playoff contender Liberty after OT
• While he may not be a Heisman Trophy candidate, Panthers wide receiver Eric Rivers has been one of the best receivers in the Group of Five this season

With UTEP being one of the worst ATS teams this season (1-5), our college football predictions for Week 8 don’t expect much to change for the Miners against FIU.

FIU vs. UTEP Quota movement

FIU entered our college football betting sites as a 4-point favorite. Since then, the line has shifted even further towards the Panthers, with FIU sitting between -6.5 and -7.

The Panthers also cover 70% of the money, while the Miners only cover 30%. The Over has 60% of the money, the total is around 47.

Best FIU vs. UTEP picks

College football tips based on odds from our top college football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

• Against the spread pick: FIU -6.5 (-120 via FanDuel) vs. UTEP ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• My best bet: Over 48.5 (-106 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

FIU vs. UTEP against the spread forecast: week 8

FIU to cover the spread: – 6.5 (-120) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

FIU vs. UTEP opening odds:

The Panthers’ offense trumps the Miners’ defense

QB Keyone Jenkins leads Florida International completing 63% of his pass attempts for nine touchdowns and five interceptions in 2024. The team also rotates between running backs Kejon Owens and Lexington Joseph, with the two averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.

UTEP’s defense ranks in the bottom 15 in the FBS, ranking 120th out of 134 programs. The Miners are giving up 34.5 points per game, allowing a completion rate of over 66% and 5.1 yards per carry. UTEP has been in a close game just once in 2024, losing 27-24 to Southern Utah in overtime after blowing a 17-6 halftime lead.

The Panthers’ offense has been good in recent weeks, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter against Liberty in Week 7 and a total of 42 points in a three-point loss to Monmouth. A 52-point win over Central Michigan early in the season resulted in their first of two wins, the other being a 17-10 home victory over Louisiana Tech in late September.

UTEP QB injury and poor rushing offense

UTEP quarterback Cade McConnell injured his wrist last week against Western Kentucky, allowing backup passer Skyler Locklear to go under center. While Locklear went 11-for-17 passing for 82 yards and no interceptions while adding 23 yards on the ground, he is very inexperienced.

Florida International’s defense hasn’t given up a passing touchdown in two straight games, but it’s weak against the run. However, UTEP’s rushing attack isn’t strong, while averaging 3.1 yards per carry in 2024 and scoring just twice on the ground.

It will be interesting to see if the school can capitalize on a weak run defense after its offense has leaned more toward the run of late.

Best odds: FIU -6.5 (-120) via FanDuel | Implied probability: 54.55%

FIU vs. UTEP best choice

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Over 48.5 (-114) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It may sound like the under is the play of two offenses that will struggle to generate production in 2024. However, both FIU and UTEP have some glaring deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball.

UTEP has given up more than two rushing touchdowns in all six games and has allowed opposing quarterbacks a 66.7% completion rate. Jenkins and the Panthers should have no problem scoring points, as the team has shown in games against several poor defenses this season.

Locklear didn’t commit turnovers, which was a big problem for McConnell, and FIU’s run defense is terrible, allowing more than three rushing touchdowns in four of six games. The Miners have become a more run-oriented team. With running backs Ezell Jolly and Jevon Jackson leading the way, as well as Locklear’s rushing ability, there could be a shootout of sorts in the Sun Bowl.

The Miners are desperate for a win and FIU’s run defense is very exploitable. Meanwhile, FIU also shouldn’t have much trouble prevailing against a bottom-15 defense in the FBS, making 48.5 points too few to make the under in your college football Week 8 predictions set.

Best odds: -106 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 51.46%

FIU vs. UTEP Opportunities

Check out all of this week’s college football odds and NCAAF results.

FIU vs. UTEP Game info

• When: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
• Start: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
• Here’s how to watch: CBSSN
• Weather: 74 degrees and partly cloudy
• favorite: FIU -6.5 (-120 via FanDuel)

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