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The UTEP Miners and the Rice Owls are set to square off in a Conference USA matchup at 4 p.m. ET Nov. 20 at Sun Bowl. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they'll have plenty of motivation to get the 'W.'
UTEP was close but no cigar last week as they fell 20-17 to the North Texas Mean Green. The defeat was just more heartbreak for the Miners, who fell 45-43 when the teams previously met last December. Despite the loss, they got a solid performance out of WR Jacob Cowing, who caught five passes for one TD and 174 yards. One of the most thrilling moments was Cowing's 76-yard TD reception in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, Rice was expected to have a tough go of it last week, and, well, they did. They found themselves the reluctant recipients of an unfortunate 42-21 punch to the gut against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Rice was in a tough position by the half, with the score already sitting at 28 to nothing. One thing holding Rice back was the mediocre play of QB Jake Constantine, who did not have his best game: despite one touchdown, he threw four interceptions.
Rice's defense was a presence, as it collected two interceptions and two fumbles. The picks came courtesy of S Kirk Lockhart and S Naeem Smith.
The Miners are the favorite in this one, with an expected 9-point margin of victory. They have been consistent moneymakers against the spread when favored (3-1), so they might be worth a quick bet.
The losses put UTEP at 6-4 and the Owls at 3-7. A pair of stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: UTEP is 221st worst in the nation in thrown interceptions, having thrown 11 on the season. Rice has experienced some struggles of their own as they are stumbling into the matchup with the 242nd most thrown interceptions in the nation, having thrown 14 on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
