UTEP vs. Southern Miss Prediction, Game Preview

UTEP vs. Southern Miss prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the Week 4 matchup between the Miners and Golden Eagles.

UTEP vs. Southern Miss Game Preview

When: Saturday, Sept. 24 – 8:00 p.m. ET

Where: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX

TV Broadcast: N/A

The Miners are coming off of a 66-14 drubbing at the hands of Army, as the team allowed the most points at home since 2003. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles are coming off of a six-point loss to Troy after starting the season with two straight victories, highlighted by the huge comeback win over Kentucky in Week 1.

In last year’s meeting between the teams in Hattiesburg, MS, Nick Mullens threw four touchdown passes as the Golden Eagles claimed a 34-13 win.

What To Know About UTEP

The Miners gave up 600 yards of total offense to the Black Knights last week, so head coach Sean Kugler knows that this is a wounded unit. The defense is giving up an average of 454 yards per game, with 245 of those coming on the ground. The Miners are allowing 43 points per game, have registered just three sacks and forced only one turnover. Offensively, the Miners are averaging just 19.7 points per game, with the focus of the unit being Aaron Jones, who has rushed for 439 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been the only real bright spot.

What to Know About Southern Miss

The Golden Eagles’ offense is paced by their strong rushing attack, which is averaging 263 rushing yards per game. Ito Smith has rushed 64 times for 432 yards and four touchdowns, while George Payne has added 247 yards on the ground while averaging over seven yards per carry. Mullens has thrown for 737 yards with six touchdowns, but he has also thrown six interceptions. Defensively, the Golden Eagles are allowing 24 points per game and are holding opponents to just over 250 yards per contest.

Advantages

Offense: Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are averaging 43.7 points per game through three weeks.

Defense: Southern Miss. Jay Hopson’s Golden Eagles are giving up less than 100 yards per game on the ground.

Special Teams: Southern Miss. Kicker Parker Shaunfield is perfect on field goals and extra points this year, and he possesses a valuable late-game asset: a strong leg.

Coaching: Southern Miss. Hopson has had just one losing season as a head coach, and that was his first year at Alcorn State.

Intangibles: Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are salty following their loss to Troy.

Matchup To Watch

Southern Miss rushing attack vs. UTEP rush defense

The Miners gave up 419 yards on the ground in their blowout loss last week to Army. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles are averaging 263 rushing yards per game and have a two-back attack that doesn’t figure to slow down any time soon. The Miners figure to be completely overmatched in this one.

UTEP vs. Southern Miss Betting Odds

Spread: Southern Miss -9.5

Over/Under: 58.5