New Mexico State vs UTEP Prediction & Football Odds for Week 0
- UTEP will win this game.
- The game total points will be under 59.5.
- The final score will be UTEP 38, Aggies 17.
It’s college football time! This will be the first game for both teams, and both finished under .500. UTEP finished 3-5, and New Mexico State finished 5-7 in 2019. New Mexico State did not play at all last year, so they are a big mystery this year.
One thing is for certain 6 significant players did leave New Mexico State (NMSU) after the 2019 season. This is also UTEP’s first time. UTEP is favored to beat NMSU since 2016. Let’s try and decipher this matchup.
Betting Odds & Lines for this game
- Spread: UTEP -10 (-115) vs NMSU +10 (-110)
- Moneyline: UTEP -400 vs. NMSU +310
- Total: Over 59.5 (-110) vs. Under 59.5 (-110)
New Mexico State vs UTEP Prediction: Spread
This is hard to judge for two reasons NMSU hasn’t played since 2019, and it’s the team’s first game of the year. However, UTEP will cover the spread. A big factor for me was knowing six defense players left for NMSU, which means experience will be a factor.
That shows NMSU is in a rebuilding mode, so this will be a down year. Also, NMSU looked pretty bad on offense in their two spring games. The experienced UTEP will be ready to play and want as much rust. Last point, all of the last five NMSU opponents have covered the spread (last five losses).
- Free Prediction: UTEP -10
New Mexico State vs UTEP Prediction: MoneyLine
UTEP is the older and more experienced team. NMSU hasn’t played a snap in over a year. We can expect a lot more mental and flags for NMSU. UTEP is far from perfect, but against an inexperienced team, an experienced team is a major advantage.
In NMSU two last spring games, their defense gave up 160 yards average. That means UTEP can just rush the ball and might win. Also, Johan Johnson (the NMSU starting quarterback) has been dreadful. He has a rating in the low fifties and only averaging 179 yards and 0.5 touchdowns. UTEP will win this game and in a convening fashion.
- Free Prediction: UTEP -400
New Mexico State vs UTEP Prediction: Total
This game will be under 59.5 total points. This is not because of UTEP’s offense. They will score and will probably score in the high thirties or low forties. The problem is NMSU’s offense. In this article, I have shown this unit is not good. It will be surprising if they score over twenty points.
Also, last year UTEP had a good time controlling time possession. SO with offense mistakes that NMSU will make, they’ll get even fewer offense chances. Also, in the last 6 NMSU games, they had been under the total point line.
- Free Prediction: Under 59.5
Prop Predictions
First off, the NMSU offense will only have about 210 yards (if that), and Johan Johnson will have more interceptions than touchdowns. He will also have a low quarterback rating and completions rating. The running backs will have about 60 to 70 yards rushing.
Whoever the starting quarterback for UTEP is will have a decent day. Not an elite day, but a game like 2 touchdowns, 1 pick, and 200 yards. Last year the quarterbacks really struggled. Sophomore Deion Hankins will have over 100 yards and should be a player we watch out for the rest of the season.
