Two of the best rushing teams in the country face off in this Wednesday night C-USA showdown rivalry dubbed “The Battle of I-10” between the New Mexico State Aggies and UTEP Miners.
New Mexico State is 4-3 after their 27-13 win over Sam Houston State last week. If New Mexico State wins this game, it would be the first time the program has won 5+ games in back-to-back seasons since 2001-02.
UTEP is 2-5 and is fighting for their own bowl survival. The Miners took down Florida International last week 27-14 despite playing their fourth-string quarterback.
What Channel Airs the New Mexico State-UTEP Game?
New Mexico State @ UTEP
- Start Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN2
- Odds: New Mexico State -3.5
- Over/Under Total: 48.5
NMSU is led by quarterback Diego Pavia, one of the best in the Group of Five. Pavia has 1,615 yards through the air with 14 touchdowns but is also an excellent rushing threat, tacking on 429 yards on the ground with his legs.
Pavia is guiding this Aggies offense to perfection and generates explosive plays with ease, sitting top 10 in the country in yards per attempt at 9.8. Pavia is NMSU’s leading rusher as well.
Behind Pavia, running backs Star Thomas and Monte Watkins each have over 250 on the ground. Thomas is the team’s main back, with Watkins serving as an excellent change-of-pace option with 13.3 yards per attempt.
Wide receiver Jonathan Brady is top-10 in the C-USA in receiving yards as well and is their top threat. Brady also serves as the team’s returner and broke an 81-yard return last week that got called back for a penalty. Receiver Trent Hudson enjoyed a breakout game last week against Sam Houston State with 122 yards and two touchdowns.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
UTEP’s plan for keeping Pavia in check will rely on linebacker Tyrice Knight. Knight leads the country in run stops with 34, flashing excellent downhill instincts and quickness.
UTEP’s pass-rush duo in Praise Amaewhule and Maurice Westmoreland have 18 and 16 pressures, respectively, and are arguably the most talented duo in the C-USA. Those three will have to bring their A-game against Pavia’s legs and keep him contained.
You wouldn’t have guessed UTEP was starting its fourth-string quarterback last week. Cade McConnell finished 11 for 17 for 262 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in his first start last week. UTEP gave him plenty of deep shots early, and he responded well. McConnell has been taking the starting reps again and will presumably start against New Mexico State as well.
UTEP can lean on a steady ground game to help McConnell out. They are averaging 156 yards on the ground per game behind the tag-team efforts of senior Deion Hankins and junior Torrance Burgess Jr. Both have over 400 yards rushing this season.
UTEP’s run blocking has been stellar this season. Led by talented guard duo Elijah Klein and Justin Mayers, UTEP has been blowing defenders off the ball and opening up holes despite them running early and often. Center Andrew Meyer has been the best in the C-USA this season; left tackle Steven Hubbard has been stellar locking down the left side.
New Mexico State’s defense has been a shortcoming all season, though they are at least solid against the run. The Aggies are top 50 in rushing yards allowed and lead the C-USA in run stuffs.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
The Aggies have three defensive linemen who rank top-10 in the C-USA in pressures in Dion Wilson Jr., Izaiah Reed, and Gabriel Iniguez, who could make McConnell’s night even tougher. Those three, along with pass rusher Gabe Peterson, have 58 pressures and six sacks between them.
This game might not appeal to many viewers with two relatively unknown programs, but this is one of the best unsung rivalries in the sport and has two pretty talented teams squaring off for the right to own the Silver Spade Trophy.