Sam Houston at UTEP odds, picks and predictions

The Sam Houston Bearkats (4-1) take on the UTEP Miners (0-4) at the Sun Bowl Thursday. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Sam Houston vs. UTEP odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Sam Houston upset the 11.5-point favorite Texas State 40-39 last week. It was its 3rd win in a row and was the 2nd time it won as a double-digit underdog. It was down 22-0 after 1 period before erupting for 40 points in the final 3 quarters. QB Hunter Watson didn’t do much through the air but ran 27 times for 105 yards and 2 TDs. RB Jay Ducker rushed 14 times for 69 yards and 3 scores.

UTEP has been a punching bag thus far at 0-4 and has lost 7 in a row, dating back to last season. It failed to cover as a 9-point dog last week in a 27-17 final to Colorado State. QB Cade McConnell was 19-for-29 for 220 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

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Sam Houston at UTEP odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:33 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Sam Houston -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | UTEP +310 (bet $100 to win $310)
• Against the spread (ATS): Sam Houston -9.5 (-120) | UTEP +9.5 (+100)
• Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Sam Houston at UTEP picks and predictions

Prediction

Sam Houston 31, UTEP 14

The Bearkats are the far superior team, but there’s no chance we’re risking a -400 here. I also don’t see any props that are tempting.

PASS.

UTEP came into Sam Houston’s building last year and upset it 37-34. I look for the Bearkats to exact revenge. They have covered 3 straight and are 4-1 ATS on the year.

Take SAM HOUSTON -9.5 (-120).

UTEP is 3-7 O/U in its last 10 games. Sam Houston is just 5-5 in its last 10 and 2-3 this season. In the Oct. 2023 meeting, the sides smashed an Over 38 with a 37-34 finish. I don’t look for UTEP to put up that much of a fight this time.

Take the UNDER 50.5 (-115).

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