UTEP Miners vs
Utah State AggiesPredictions & Preview

UTEP Miners and Utah State Aggies Set to Clash in Season Opener, Can Miners Keep Score Within Six Points?

The UTEP Miners and Utah State Aggies are set to face off in the season opener on Saturday evening. Both teams struggled last season, with the Miners posting a 3-11 record and the Aggies finishing with a 4-10 mark. The question is, can the Miners keep the score within six points in this matchup? For expert predictions and analysis, be sure to check out our College Football Picks for the latest insights.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Miners +184 | Aggies -220
• Spread: Miners +6 (-110) | Aggies -6 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 61 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Utah State will win straight-up is 69%.

UTEP Miners

The UTEP Miners are looking to bounce back from a challenging 2024 season where they only managed to win three games. Despite showing improvement towards the end of the season, they finished with a 3-5 conference record. The team faced a tough non-conference schedule, with wins against FIU, Kennesaw State, and New Mexico State. The Miners had a productive offseason and are hopeful for a better performance this year.

Although the C-USA did not conduct a preseason poll, UTEP is not expected to be top contenders in the conference. The team has a new starting quarterback in Malachi Nelson, a highly-rated recruit from 2023. The running game may be a weak spot due to the loss of their top rusher from last season. However, the receiving core looks promising with standouts like Kenny Odom and Cam Thomas returning.

On the defensive side, UTEP has made changes, including a new defensive coordinator in Bobby Daly. Despite losing their sack leader, they have added talent like Derek Burns from New Mexico State. The pass defense is expected to be solid with many members of the secondary returning. The Miners are aiming to improve on their defensive performance from last season, where they allowed an average of 402 yards per game.

In 2024, UTEP struggled offensively, averaging 19.5 points per game and conceding 32.3 points per game. The team is focused on making significant improvements this season.

Utah State Aggies

The Utah State Aggies are looking to make a big improvement this season after a challenging campaign last year, where they only managed four wins. Despite their struggles, the team has a history of success and is optimistic about the upcoming season with new coach Bronco Mendenhall at the helm. Senior QB Bryson Barnes is expected to have a breakout season after showing promise last year. The team has some key players returning on offense, including top rusher Derrick Jameson and transfer Javen Jacobs. The receiving core has question marks after losing their top five receivers, but there is potential for breakout performances from players like Braden Pagan and Josh Sterner. On defense, the Aggies have some key returning players like Juke Larsen and Hugh Miller, with hopes for improvement after a tough season last year. Utah State will look to build on their offensive success from last season while tightening up their defense in order to achieve better results this season.

UTEP Miners Optimistic for 2025 Season with Addition of Star Quarterback, While Utah State Aggies Face Challenges

The UTEP Miners are entering the 2025 season with a positive outlook, thanks to the addition of highly-rated quarterback Malachi Nelson. Nelson, a former five-star recruit, is expected to bring a new level of talent to the team. Comparatively, the Utah State Aggies, who only secured four wins last season, are projected to struggle in the Mountain West Conference this year. The Aggies have been ranked 9th in the preseason poll, indicating a challenging season ahead for them.

In particular, Nelson is anticipated to have a standout performance against the Aggies' weak pass defense, which ranked 116th in the nation last season. With their quarterback Bryson Barnes playing only half of the previous season and major changes in the receiving corps, the Aggies are facing significant challenges. Additionally, with a new head coach at the helm, Utah State may encounter difficulties in finding a cohesive gameplay strategy.

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