Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Aggies vs Miners Picks
Day one of the College Bowl season sees the Utah State Aggies taking on the UTEP Miners in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA football handicapping tips all season long.
The Mountain West clashes with Conference USA in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl inside University Stadium.
College Football Odds
Utah State Aggies (9-4) vs. UTEP Miners (7-5)
Saturday, Dec. 20
2:20 PM ET
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
ESPN
College Football Betting Lines: Utah State -10
College Football O/U: 49
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UTEP will look to continue their dominance on the ground against one of the best defenses in the nation.
Utah State
With the amount of injuries the Aggies had in the 2014 season, getting to 9 wins was quite the impressive feat. Utah State saw 9 of their players go down to season ending injuries, with 3 of those being quarterbacks. Led by their 4th string quarterback, Kent Meyers, Utah State ran off 5 straight wins before falling to Boise State in their finale.
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Over the past 6 games for Utah State, freshman QB Kent Meyers tallied 9 total touchdowns and threw for only 2 interceptions. Meyers stepped into the role after 3rd string QB Craig Harrison went down against UNLV in week 8. While Meyers’ touchdown to turnover ratio was phenomenal, his completion percentage of 69.2 percent was probably his most impressive statistic.
The Aggies bring in a balanced attack on offense, ranking 84th in the nation in pass yards (208.8 yards) and 56th in rushing (172.5 yards).
On the defensive side of the ball, Utah State is one of the best in terms of points allowed, ranking 21st in the country with just 20.8 points against.
This will be Utah States fourth consecutive bowl appearance. The Aggies have won their last two appearances with wins over Toledo and Northern Illinois.
UTEP
The Miners’ offensive game plan is no secret to anyone. Hand the ball off to Sophomore RB Aaron Jones and let him go to work. Jones has ran for 1233 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Utep holds the 34th best rushing attack in the country with 212.7 yards a game. Jones and company will be highly tested when they go up against the 26th best rush defense in the nation on Saturday.
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Finding themselves in a post season bowl game is an incredible accomplishment for Miners head coach Sean Kugler and his team.
In Kugler’s first year as head coach in 2013, the Miners won just 2 games. Sparked by a 5-2 record in their last 7 games, Utep clinched a bowl birth for the first time in 4 years.
Utep will look to break a 5 straight bowl losing streak.
While Utep ranks 120th in the country in passing (144.3 yards a game), Senior QB Jameill Showers still managed to throw for 1732 yards with 12 touchdowns. Showers had five total interceptions this season, with only 1 over the Miners last 7 games.
Utep has been one of the best teams ATS this season, going 9-3 overall.
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NCAA Football Trends:
- Aggies are 16-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Aggies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
- Miners are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Miners are 3-7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record
Free 4* NCAA Football Pick: UTEP +10
The key in this matchup will come down to whether or not Utah State can stop the Miners on the ground and force them into some long third down situations.
Utah State 31, Utep 30
Utep will control the clock and look to keep the Aggies offense off the field. In the end, this game has the feeling of a last second field goal or touchdown giving someone a victory.
Check out our Updated College Football Bowl Game Odds.
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