UTEP vs. Sam Houston odds, line, spread: 2023 college football picks, Week 9 predictions by proven model
The UTEP Miners are hoping to start the stretch run of the 2023 college football season on a positive note Wednesday night when they face the winless Sam Houston Bearkats in a Conference USA football showdown. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Elliott T. Bowers Stadium. The Miners (2-6, 1-3) were expected to build on last year's five-win season that saw them come up short of a bowl bid by three points in a 34-31 loss to UTSA in the regular-season finale. They would need to win their final four games of this season to potentially earn a bowl bid and are coming off a 28-7 home loss to New Mexico State last week. Sam Houston (0-7, 0-4) remains winless following its 33-27 overtime home loss to Florida International last week.
The Bearkats are 3.5-point favorites and the over/under for total points scored is 36 in the latest SportsLine consensus UTEP vs. Sam Houston odds. Before making any Sam Houston vs. UTEP picks, be sure to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a stunning profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UTEP vs. Sam Houston and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several college football odds and trends for Sam Houston vs. UTEP:
- UTEP vs. Sam Houston: Sam Houston -3.5
- UTEP vs. Sam Houston State over/under: 36 points
- UTEP vs. Sam Houston State money line: Sam Houston -177, UTEP +148
- UTEP: The Miners have gone Under their game total in eight of their past 12 games.
- SHU: The Bearkats are 0-1 against the spread as a betting favorite this season.
- UTEP vs. Sam Houston picks: See picks at SportsLine
- UTEP vs. Sam Houston live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Sam Houston can cover
The Bearkats have yet to register their first victory at the FBS level but it stands to reason that they will close the deal sooner than later. They have come up short in two overtime games and were just a few ticks of the clock away from registering that coveted first victory last week against Florida International.
Sam Houston overcame an early 10-0 deficit and appeared to take control in the fourth quarter. They scored 10 unanswered points and took a 20-17 lead with 1:24 left on a 32-yard field goal by Colby Sessums. But the defense couldn't hold as the Panthers made a trying field goal as time expired before prevailing in double overtime.
Even so, it was arguably the Bearkats' most complete performance of the season as they scored a season-high 27 points and put up 410 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Keegan Shoemaker threw for a season-high 306 yards with two touchdowns against one interception. A committee-based rushing attack compiled 104 yards, with receiver Noah Smith gaining 40 yards on three carries with a 25-yard touchdown run in overtime. See which team to pick here.
Why UTEP can cover
The last time the Miners went on the road in conference play, they had perhaps their top overall performance of the season in a 27-14 victory over Florida International two weeks ago. They came out focused and inspired and used creative play calling to score three consecutive touchdowns and build a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
Although they mustered just two field goals the rest of the way, the defense turned back a spirited comeback effort from the Panthers by forcing a pair of turnovers and a loss of downs on the home team's final three possessions.
Last week, the Miners had trouble stopping dual-threat New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia, who accounted for all four of the Aggies' touchdowns. On the bright side, junior running back Deion Hankins had a strong game with 120 yards on 16 carries. See which team to pick here.
How to make Sam Houston vs. UTEP picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 37 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
