The New Mexico Bowl, to be played today (2 PM ET, ESPN) at University Stadium in Albuquerque between the Brigham Young University Cougars and University of Texas at El Paso Miners, will be the first of 35 college football bowl games to be played this 2010-11 College Bowl season. Both BYU and UTEP finished their 2010 regular season campaigns with 6-6 records. The Cougars and Miners have had a long history of football competition between the schools, but today's game will be the first in 12 years. BYU has traditionally dominated the series, including wins in 20 of the last 22 games.
Oddsmakers at BetUS.com and most offshore sports gaming sites, expect BYU to have an easy time of it with UTEP installing the Cougars as double-digit 11-chalk favorites with a 51 total. UTEP backers are listed as +335 underdogs on the BetUS moneyline while BYU is giving -425 odds for a SU win.
The Miners defeated C-USA West Division co-champion SMU on Nov. 6 at home to secure bowl eligibility. The Miners are led by senior quarterback Trevor Vittatoe, the school record- holder in passing yards . His favorite target is wide receiver Kris Adams, who ranks third in UTEP history with 27 touchdown catches. The Miner defense isn't bad either, a unit that had four games in 2010 where it held its opposition to less than 300 yards.
BYU suffered a slow start this season but posted wins in four of its last five games to become bowl eligible. The Cougars rate in the top-50 nationally in pass defense, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense, total defense, rushing offense and sacks allowed.
The Miners and the Cougars have one common opponent this season. UTEP won at New Mexico, 38-20, on Oct. 2 and BYU knocked off the Lobos in Provo, 40-7, on Nov. 20.
New Mexico Bowl Predictions : BYU will win this game but giving this talented UTEP team 11-points or more is too much. I like UTEP in this one getting +11.
