Wednesday’s slate of college football kicks off with a C-USA battle between the UTEP Miners and Florida International Panthers. Both squads are still searching for their first conference win this season.
UTEP (1-5) has lost four games in a row and needs a win to right the ship…quickly. They’ve scored more than 14 points in just two games this season.
Florida International (3-3) has lost two games in a row — all of their losses have happened in conference games.
What Channel Airs the UTEP-Florida International Game?
- Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN2
- Odds: UTEP -1
- Over/Under Total: 44
UTEP’s ability to make an impact in this game will depend on the health of quarterback Gavin Hardison. Hardison was unable to play last week. However, both backup quarterbacks, Kevin Hurley and Jake McNamara, are also day-to-day. This means fourth-string Cade McConnell could start for the Miners this week. McConnell finished 4-of-11 for 48 yards in last week’s loss to Louisiana Tech.
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Fortunately, UTEP can lean on a steady ground game to help McConnell out. They are averaging 158.8 yards on the ground per game behind the tag-team efforts of senior Deion Hankins and junior Torrance Burgess Jr. Both have over 300 yards rushing this season and over 5.0 yards a carry.
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 and averages nearly 2.5 yards before contact per attempt despite them running early and often. Center Andrew Mayers has been the best in C-USA; left tackle Steven Hubbard has been stellar locking down the left side.
This matches up well against an FIU defense allowing 207.7 yards per game on the ground and giving up 5.15 yards per rush. Despite their lackluster production numbers, the Panthers have a pair of instinctive linebackers who excel against the run in Donovan Manuel and Reggie Peterson, both of whom have over double-digit run stops on the year and rank near the top of the C-USA.
The Panthers’ pass rush is one of the best in the conference as well, leading the C-USA in total pressures. Edge rusher Alex Nobles and defensive tackle Jordan Guerad both lead the C-USA in pressures with 20 and 18, respectively.
Led by cornerbacks Brian Blades and Hezekiah Masses and safety D’Verick Daniel, the Panthers’ secondary has the most pass breakups in the C-USA and allow just seven yards an attempt, tied with the Utah Utes and Florida State Seminoles.
With UTEP likely starting a fourth-string quarterback, this pass rush and secondary could potentially slam the door shut in this game and win it by themselves.
Florida International has turned the offense over to freshman quarterback Keyone Jenkins, who has provided a key spark for this Panthers offense. Jenkins has passed for 1,258 yards this season and five touchdowns. FIU’s scheme offers a heavy dose of play-action and RPO calls, and these defined reads have helped Jenkins stay productive while adjusting to college life.
Helping him out is running back Shomari Lawrence (who has been one of the best backs after contact this season) and wide receiver Kris Mitchell (who leads the C-USA in receiving yards and is tied with Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley in receiving touchdowns). Mitchell is an electric deep threat who has been Jenkins’ go-to all season.
UTEP’s defense hasn’t been passed against much this season, facing just 150 attempts. But they’re allowing 7.7 yards per attempt and have allowed seven touchdowns with just 13 pass breakups on the year.
UTEP has allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the C-USA this season and is giving up a first-down run on nearly 30% of all runs (29.9%). Their defense is a significant Achilles heel, which means their rushing attack is going to be key in controlling the ball if they want to win this C-USA matchup.