UTEP vs. Sam Houston State prediction, odds, pick, how to watch College Football Week 9 game

The UTEP Miners (2-6, 1-3) go on the road to take on the Sam Houston State Bearkats (0-7, 0-4) Wednesday night. This game will continue our college football odds series as we hand out a UTEP-Sam Houston State prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

UTEP's two wins this season have come against Incarnate Word and FIU. They are not having a great season, and they will need to win out if they want to make it to a bowl game. UTEP has used two different quarterbacks this season, and Cade McConnell has been the better of the two. He has passed for 489 yards, and two touchdowns this season. The Miners are very good on the ground. As a team, UTEP averages 4.0 yards per carry, but their two top backs are both above 5.0 yards per carry. UTEP has 21 sacks in eight games played, and 29 pass deflections.

Sam Houston State has not won a game this season, but they came pretty close last week. It took double overtime for FIU to take down Sam Houston State last week. Keegan Shoemaker is up to 1,322 yards passing, and eight touchdowns for the Bearkats. Their ground attack is still severely lacking, though. Sam Houston State has just 11 sacks in seven games played, and just two interceptions.

Here are the college football odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

College Football Odds: UTEP-Sam Houston State Odds

UTEP: +3.5 (-120)

Sam Houston State: -3.5 (-102)

Over: 36.5 (-110)

Under: 36.5 (-110)

How to Watch UTEP vs. Sam Houston State Week 8

Time: 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

TV: ESPN2

Why UTEP Will Cover The Spread

Sam Houston State has a terrible run defense. They allow over 177 rush yards per game and over 380 total yards per game. The best aspect of UTEP's game is their run game. Deion Hankins, and Torrance Burgess Jr both have great chances to have big games. UTEP can control this game if their run game gets going. Their pass game is average, but with a good run game, it can come alive. It is never easy to win a game on the road, especially against a conference opponent, but the Miners should be able to take this game over on the ground. If they do that, UTEP will cover the spread.

Why Sam Houston State Will Cover The Spread

Sam Houston State's defense is not very reliable. However, their offense did pick up the slack last week. They threw for 306 yards and rushed for 104. This is the kind of offensive output the Bearkats will need to cover this spread. I have a feeling UTEP is going to control the time of possession, so Sam Houston State will need to score on a majority of their drives. If Sam Houston State can keep up with the Miners offensively, there is a good chance they can cover this spread.

Final UTEP-Sam Houston State Prediction & Pick

This is a battle between two teams that will not make a bowl game. Sam Houston State is looking for their first win of the season, and UTEP is a great chance for them to get it. The problem with this game is Sam Houston State is favored. I can not, in good faith, take a winless team to cover a spread in which they are the favorites. For that reason, I will take UTEP to cover the spread.

Final UTEP-Sam Houston State Prediction & Pick: UTEP +3.5 (-120), Over 36.5 (-110)