Can the Old Dominion Monarchs post their first winning record in school history? Old Dominion is currently sitting at 4-3 and should be favored in each of its last two, so it’s looking very possible. The Monarchs would love to get a win against the UTEP Miners in College Football Week 9 action as well though to put them one away from bowl eligibility. The Miners are currently sitting at 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
Watch this Week 9 matchup live on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at the Sun Bowl.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
UTEP +4
Old Dominion -4
Odds Analysis
Old Dominion has only won, and covered, games in which it was a favorite thus far this season. The Monarchs are 4-0 SU and 4-0 ATS as a favorite and won all of those games by at least two scores. In games that they have been a favorite, the over has gone 3-1 as well, with the Monarchs putting an average of 43.8 points on the board in those games.
The Miners picked up their first win since their season opener last week as an underdog against UTSA and have now covered two of their last three. UTEP has had a lot of trouble scoring points this season, averaging 20.9 PPG, but if you take out the two wins, the Miners have averaged just 11.2 PPG in their five losses.
Player to Watch
The Monarchs have one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the conference in David Washington and he has been a large reason for their success this season. Washington is one of the least turnover prone quarterbacks in the nation, throwing just 2 interceptions on his 200 passes this season. That has led to Old Dominion turning the ball over just five times this season and given the Monarchs a crucial +9 in turnover ratio.
Washington isn’t going to complete a lot of long passes, but he can slowly move the ball up the field. On the season, he hasn’t thrown a pass of 60 yards or longer, but has been able find success dinking and dunking. He will be facing a UTEP defense that has allowed 17 touchdown passes this season.
Key Stat
Both of these teams have been poor on third-down this season and with neither having a solid field goal kicker that means they have to get inside the red zone to feel confident scoring.
Old Dominion is 7 for 20 on fourth down conversions this season and that has left a lot of points off the board. Additionally, kicking has been woeful with four missed extra points this season and the longest field goal made was 38 yards.
UTEP has been even worse on fourth down than ODU this season, moving the chains on just 3 of 10 conversion attempts. The Miners have also attempted less field goals than any team in the country, settling for three just three times and only hitting two of the opportunities.
Free ATS Pick
It’s a bit surprising why Old Dominion is only a 4-point favorite here, but El Paso is a very interesting place to play. Every year we see it during the Sun Bowl when certain players stay out too late the night before and play poorly the next day, but the Monarchs are a little bit different.
Old Dominion is striving for a bowl for the first time in its history and the players know they need to stay focused if they want to make it to the postseason. The Monarchs are well on their way and just need to stop the Miners’ running game if they want to get the win here. This should end up being a resounding win for the Monarchs as long as they come to play.
College Football Odds: Monarchs 41, Miners 17
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