Midweek Conference USA action continues on Wednesday night with UTEP hosting FIU for Week 8 of the 2024 college football season. The Miners are still searching for their first win of the year, while the Panthers have their sights set on contending for a bowl after a 2-4 start.
Although FIU has a losing mark through six games, coach Mike MacIntyre's squad nearly defeated Liberty (31-24) in overtime last week and has a favorable slate remaining - UTEP, New Mexico State, Kennesaw State and Middle Tennessee - to get to six victories. The Panthers lost to Indiana in the opener and suffered defeats to Florida Atlantic and Monmouth but recorded wins over Central Michigan and Louisiana Tech this year.
Expectations were low for new UTEP coach Scotty Walden after he inherited a major rebuilding effort this offseason. The Miners are 0-6 so far, but Walden's track record at his last stop (Austin Peay) suggests he will get things on track with time. With three home games in their next four contests, UTEP has a couple of opportunities to get victories, especially with two difficult road treks to Tennessee and New Mexico State to close out the season.
The all-time series between FIU and UTEP is tied at three victories apiece. The Miners won 27-14 last season.
FIU at UTEP
Location: Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas
Kickoff: Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Spread: FIU -7
Over/Under: 48.5
Announcers: Dave Ryan and Brock Vereen
Why FIU Will Win
Through eight weeks of the 2024 season, FIU has been the better team than UTEP. Coach Mike MacIntyre's squad pushed CUSA favorite Liberty to the brink last week and has an overall edge on the stat sheet compared to the Miners.
FIU's offense features a rising star at quarterback in Keyone Jenkins (1,349 passing yards and nine scores), along with two of Conference USA's top receivers in Eric Rivers (24 catches for 448 yards) and Dean Patterson (27 for 349). Additionally, the offense has plenty of pop on the ground with Kejon Owens (265 yards) and Lexington Joseph (195). The combination of Jenkins and a strong collection of skill talent is problematic for a UTEP defense ranked No. 110 in defensive success rate and allowing 34.5 points a game.
The Panthers are a work in progress on defense, but this unit is holding teams to 5.5 yards a snap and 28.5 points a contest. FIU struggles to stop the run (201.8 yards a game allowed), while the pass defense has been solid (first in CUSA in pass efficiency defense).
MacIntyre's group is likely to surrender yards to UTEP, but FIU's defense has thrived at getting off the field on third downs (34.1 percent conversion rate) and has limited the damage on big plays (just five plays of 40-plus yards allowed).
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Why UTEP Will Win
UTEP is one of three winless FBS teams at the halfway point of the season, so desperation for a victory is certainly beginning to set in for Walden's team. The Miners have faced a tough slate so far and conference play should be an easier environment to find wins.
In addition to motivation to break into the win column, UTEP has the ground game to give FIU's defense headaches on Wednesday night. Jevon Jackson (239 yards) is the team's leading rusher, but freshman Ezell Jolly (195 yards) is coming off a 100-yard (119) effort in last week's loss to Sam Houston. With the Panthers giving up over 200 yards a game on the ground, both Jackson and Jolly could find plenty of room to operate.
Quarterback Cade McConnell is a gametime decision on Wednesday night, but UTEP has an experienced option in Skyler Locklear (792 passing yards this season) to turn to if he can't go. Whether it's McConnell or Locklear directing the attack, the passing game has weapons to test a solid FIU pass defense. Kenny Odom (19 catches for 435 yards), Kam Thomas (34 receptions) and Trey Goodman (20) form a capable trio for Walden's attack.
Although UTEP's defense is struggling (34.5 points a game and 6.2 yards a snap allowed), this unit leads CUSA in sacks (15) and has thrived at keeping teams out of the end zone (touchdown percentage of 58.3 percent allowed) in the red zone.
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Final Analysis
The home crowd and hunger to break into the win column should help UTEP. But can the Miners overcome the disadvantages in the roster matchup? FIU has the better quarterback (Jenkins) and has performed at a slightly higher level on defense so far in '24. The Panthers struggle versus the run, giving the Miners a chance to pound the rock and keep this one close in the fourth quarter. Look for UTEP to give FIU all it can handle early, but MacIntyre's squad settles in over the final 30 minutes.
Prediction: FIU 31, UTEP 20
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