Who's Playing

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers @ UTEP Miners

Current Records: Western Kentucky 4-4, UTEP 3-6

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: Sun Bowl -- El Paso, Texas
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Ticket Cost: $5.76

What to Know

A Conference USA battle is on tap between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the UTEP Miners at 9:00 p.m. ET on November 4th at Sun Bowl. UTEP does have the home-field advantage, but Western Kentucky is expected to win by nine points.

Western Kentucky started off well but failed to capitalize on an early lead against Liberty. They fell 42-29 to the Flames last Tuesday. It was the first time this season that Western Kentucky let down their fans at home.

Western Kentucky's defeat came about despite a quality game from Austin Reed, who threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns. Another player making a difference was Elijah Young, who gained 119 total yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, it was close, but last Wednesday UTEP sidestepped Sam Houston for a 37-34 victory. The victory was just what UTEP needed coming off of a 28-7 loss in their prior contest.

UTEP got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Deion Hankins out in front who rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on only 15 carries. Kelly Akharaiyi was another key contributor, picking up 126 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Special teams played a big role in the game for UTEP, adding 13 points to the final score. All those points came courtesy of Buzz Flabiano: he added nine points with three field goals, and another four kicking extra points.

Liberty's victory bumped their season record to 8-0 while Western Kentucky's defeat dropped theirs to 4-4.

UTEP will be fighting an uphill battle on Saturday as the experts have pegged them as the nine-point underdog. This contest will be their fifth straight as the underdogs (so far over this stretch they are 2-2 against the spread).

Odds

Western Kentucky is a big 9-point favorite against UTEP, according to the latest college football odds.

Bettors have moved against the Hilltoppers slightly, as the game opened with the Hilltoppers as a 11-point favorite.


The over/under is set at 54 points.

See college football picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.

Series History

Western Kentucky has won both of the games they've played against UTEP in the last 6 years.

  • Nov 17, 2018 - Western Kentucky 40 vs. UTEP 16
  • Oct 07, 2017 - Western Kentucky 15 vs. UTEP 14

Injury Report for UTEP

  • Marcus Bellon: questionable (Leg)
  • Gavin Hardison: questionable (Arm)
  • Jostein Clarke: questionable (Undisclosed)
  • Steven Hubbard: out (Undisclosed)
  • Aaron Dumas: out (Transfer Portal)
  • Tyrin Smith: questionable (Undisclosed)
  • Jake McNamara: questionable (Concussion)
  • Trez Moore: out (Redshirt)
  • Judah Ezinwa: Out for the Season (Redshirt)

Injury Report for Western Kentucky

  • Michael Mathison: questionable (Hip)
  • Rex Robich: out (Undisclosed)