UTEP vs. Tulane
Free Pick: UTEP -6.5 -110 odds – point spreads
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Sometimes, statistics lie. Tulane is statistically ranked as the single best passing defense in Conference USA, allowing only 209 passing yards per game. However, the reality is that Tulane might have the single worst passing defense in the conference. Based on a ‘true’ yards-per-pass attempt tally, the Green Wave rank 116th out of 120 FBS teams, allowing more than 8.2 yards per attempt.

The Green Wave overall numbers are totally skewed because they faced McNeese State, Army and Marshall, none of whom have anything resembling a high octane passing attack. In addition, every pass-first team that they’ve faced hasn’t had the need to pass in the second half – all six of Tulane’s losses this year have come by three touchdowns or more. Lastly, the Green Wave can’t stop the run either, bad news here against UTEP’s emerging backfield threat Donald Buckram.

Tulane has no home field advantage whatsoever. Playing in front of a nearly empty Superdome, the Green Wave have lost all four of their previous FBS games at home this season SU and ATS: 37-13, 54-3, 31-10 and 44-16. It was a similar story last year when Bob Toledo’s squad closed out the stretch with home losses to Army (44-13), Rice (42-17) and UAB 41-24. With an offense that has produced a grand total of 65 points in their seven lined games this year, led by ‘still developing’ frosh QB Ryan Griffin, Tulane doesn’t offer much ‘backdoor cover’ potential either.

UTEP does two things well. First, this offense scores points in bunches, a dynamic, multiple-big-play-weapon attack led by three year starter Trevor Vittatoe at quarterback. Secondly, the Miners seem to respond well to adversity, playing well off a loss. They’ve bounced back with a win and cover following each of their last three losses, and come into this came off a disappointing home loss to UAB.

Head coach Mike Price, following last week’s loss: “We’re going to continue to coach hard and play hard. I’m not throwing in the towel. We have good people and good coaches. We’ll do everything we can to beat the Tulane Green Wave.” And basically, when it comes to beating Tulane, effort is all UTEP should need, because the talent differential is most assuredly there already. (#345) 2* Take UTEP.

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