The UTEP Miners (2-8, 2-4 CUSA) take on the Tennessee Volunteers (8-2, 5-2 SEC) in non-conference action on Saturday, November 23rd.
The game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPN+.
Tennessee is a massive 41.5-point favorite in the contest, with a total set at 52.5 points.
With Tennessee among the “first four out” of the latest CFP playoff picture, the Vols have some work to keep pace with the national front-runners and should be looking for style points this week against a severely overmatched UTEP squad.
UTEP vs Tennessee Prediction
- UTEP vs. Tennessee Pick: Tennessee -41.5
My UTEP vs Tennessee best bet is on the Volunteers to cover the monster 41.5-point spread, with the best line currently available at bet365, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
UTEP vs Tennessee Odds
| UTEP Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+41.5 -110 | 52.5 -110 / -110 | +5000 |
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-41.5 -110 | 52.5 -110 / -110 | -10000 |
- UTEP vs Tennessee Point Spread: UTEP +41.5 (-110) · Tennessee -41.5 (-110)
- UTEP vs Tennessee Total: Over/Under 52.4
- UTEP vs Tennessee Moneyline: UTEP +5000 · Tennessee -10000
UTEP vs Tennessee Preview
UTEP Miners Betting Preview: Seeking Positive Momentum
UTEP is coming off a bye week following a thrilling 43-35 double-overtime win against Kennesaw State.
This back-and-forth affair saw UTEP take the lead five times, only to have the Owls respond every time. The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, but Kennesaw State could not respond in the second.
UTEP has been against it in Scotty Walden's first season as head coach. The offense has struggled to move the football consistently and the stronger teams in conference play have overmatched the defense. With rival New Mexico State on deck, I'd imagine the goal is to get out of this game healthy and look forward to the season finale.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview: Put Up Style Points
Tennessee comes in off a tough 31-17 loss at Georgia. The Vols competed well in the first half, but all four Tennessee second-half possessions ended with a punt or turnover. Tennessee mustered just 117 second-half yards and never threatened to score.
The Volunteers should have a much easier time this week against a UTEP defense that has given up 200+ rushing yards five times this season.
UTEP vs Tennessee
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how UTEP and Tennessee match up statistically:
UTEP Offense vs. Tennessee Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 114 | 1 | |
| Line Yards | 95 | 10 | |
| Pass Success | 102 | 32 | |
| Havoc | 118 | 11 | |
| Finishing Drives | 130 | 10 | |
| Quality Drives | 128 | 5 | |
Tennessee Offense vs. UTEP Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 53 | 54 |  |
| Line Yards | 26 | 23 | |
| Pass Success | 15 | 63 | |
| Havoc | 30 | 54 | |
| Finishing Drives | 86 | 50 | |
| Quality Drives | 41 | 80 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 29 | 37 |
| PFF Coverage | 102 | 36 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 130 | 32 |
| Middle 8 | 65 | 6 |
| Seconds per Play | 25.0 (29) | 23.9 (13) |
| Rush Rate | 55% (60) | 62% (20) |
UTEP vs Tennessee Pick & Prediction
I am laying the 41.5 points in one of my stronger positions of the weekend. Tennessee will have every statistical and talent advantage imaginable in this game.
Tennessee will also be motivated to put up a big number, as the Vols were the “first team out” in the most recent CFP rankings. The Vols will need to impress the voters, and they will have limited opportunities to do so.
Tennessee outscored its first three opponents of the season by a combined score of 191-13 while playing severely overmatched competition. The offense racked up over 700 yards twice, while a suffocating defense allowed 1.8 yards per carry and zero offensive touchdowns. The offense has since returned to earth while playing against SEC defenses, but UTEP doesn't have the strength or talent in the trenches to hold up here.
UTEP has allowed the stronger teams in CUSA to blow by it and has played feeble competition the past four games. Quarterback play has been marginal as the Miners have rotated between Skyler Locklear, Cade McConnell and JP Pickles this season. There has been very little explosiveness from the Miners, who rank 100th in Explosiveness and 109th in Success Rate.
UTEP can't protect the quarterback against weak CUSA opponents and has surrendered 23 sacks and 70 tackles for loss this year. Tennessee is seventh nationally in Defensive Havoc and sixth in Defensive EPA Per Play allowed. I assume the Vols will be in the UTEP backfield all afternoon.
The UTEP pass coverage unit ranks near the bottom of the FBS in nearly every metric. The Miners rank in the bottom 10 nationally in Defensive Havoc, Defensive EPA Per Pass and Pass Play Success Rate. I would expect quarterback Nico Iamaleava to put up big numbers here. The ground game should experience massive holes and big plays throughout, as UTEP has allowed over 200 rushing yards five times this year.
Nebraska was the only opponent even remotely as talented as Tennessee that UTEP has played this year. In that contest, UTEP was outgained by 302 yards — only Husker inefficiencies in the red zone and absurdly conservative play calling kept that game from being an even bigger blowout. We will not get that type of coaching in this game, as Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has consistently kept the first-team offense in the game late in blowout wins.
Tennessee needs to put up a big number, and I can see it scoring into the high 50s in this matchup. The defense should suffocate UTEP in the trenches, and I'd be shocked to see the Miners advance the ball past midfield more than twice.
Pick: Tennessee -41.5 (Play to -43.5)
UTEP vs Tennessee Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How To Watch
| Location: | Neyland Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Nov. 23 |
| Kickoff Time: | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | SEC Network+ |
UTEP vs Tennessee will be played at Neyland Stadium, on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on SEC Network+.
UTEP vs Tennessee Betting Trends
UTEP vs Tennessee Weather
