FIU vs Texas-El Paso Picks and Prediction – 10/17/2024

The Florida International (FIU) Panthers visit the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Wednesday to play the UTEP Miners. The FIU Panthers dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Conference-USA play following a 31-24 loss to the Liberty Flames in overtime last Tuesday. FIU gained 344 yards of total offense but was hurt by two turnovers. The Panthers gave up 406 yards to Liberty. Keep up to date with all the college football action, with our expert college football picks.

FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins has thrown for 1,349 yards with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Jenkins has been sacked 10 times. Kejon Owens leads all running backs for FIU with 265 yards and four touchdowns. The leading receiver is Eric Rivers with 448 yards and three TD receptions. The FIU defense has made 10 quarterback sacks and intercepted six passes.

The UTEP Miners remain winless at 0-6 overall and 0-3 in Conference-USA play following a 44-17 loss to Western Kentucky on Thursday. UTEP gained 330 yards of total offense but allowed 482 yards of offense to Western Kentucky. One of UTEP’s only two touchdowns was a 100-yard kickoff return in the third quarter by Corey Wren. 

UTEP has used three quarterbacks this season. Skyler Locklear is expected to start on Wednesday. Locklear has thrown for 792 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Jevon Jackson has 239 yards rushing but no touchdowns while Kenny Odom has caught 19 passes for 435 yards with four TDs. UTEP’s defense has sacked the quarterback 15 times and intercepted two passes. 

UTEP will pick up its first victory of the season on Wednesday versus FIU, but the play here is UNDER. The UNDER has cashed in four of FIU’s last five and four of UTEP’s last six. UTEP is scoring an average of only 16.0 points per game, while FIU averages 27.0 per game. Look for UTEP to use a running attack that will eat up chunks of time off the clock creating fewer possessions for both. Final Score Prediction, UTEP Miners win but our best play is UNDER 24-20.