BYU Cougars @ UTEP Miners New Mexico Bowl Pick

BYU Cougars @ UTEP Miners New Mexico Bowl Pick: The Bowl Season kicks off when BYU and UTEP go at it in the New Mexico Bowl. Both teams come in with the bare essentials as far as bowl eligibility is concerned. The Miners and Cougars both sit at 6-6 headed into the post season. Both teams went about it a little differently.

BYU struggled big time early, playing a handful of tough teams and losing to each and every one of them. They did beat San Diego State, however, and that gave them a chance. BYU won 4 straight down the stretch, falling to Utah 16-17 to end the season, but they had already clinched a bowl bid.

UTEP lost 5 of their last 6 games after starting the season 5-1. Only 2 of their losses were by greater than 10 points (UAB 6-21, and Arkansas 21-58). They played a lot of close games (be it against mediocre teams) but to 6-6 was the best they could do. Still, the Miners put up points and average more points scored than points given up.

Often you’ll hear people say that you should take the hottest team coming in, well that’s all fine and dandy, but I don’t think “because they have won some games lately” is the best reason to ride them against the spread. UTEP plays close ones and BYU isn’t all that good. A 12-point spread is a lot. BYU might be a justifiable favorite to win, but the two touchdowns needed to cover ends up being too much here.

UTEP was 5-7 ATS on the season – 5-1 at home and 1-5 on the road. The Miners average just over 26 points per game, giving up 25.
BYU was 7-5 ATS on the season, taking advantage of that late push – 5-1 at home and 1-5 on the road. BY averages 24 points per game, giving up 21.

BYU Cougars @ UTEP Miners (+12)