Midweek games from Conference USA continue on Wednesday night with a pair of games on the schedule in case you need your midweek football fix. While these aren’t necessarily big-name programs, both of Wednesday’s games have a spread less than a touchdown. That should translate into close and competitive games. Let’s take a closer look at each matchup and offer a betting pick for the two college football games on Wednesday night.
Sam Houston (5-1) -3 vs. Western Kentucky (4-2)
Even in mid-October, this game could have serious conference championship implications. Both Western Kentucky and Sam Houston are 2-0 in conference play. Also, both are 5-1 against the spread this season, so they have far exceeded expectations in that area. Since opening the season with a 63-0 loss at the hands of Alabama, the Hilltoppers have played great. They nearly held on in what ended up being a 21-20 loss to Boston College, so they will feel as if they can go toe-to-toe with anybody in Conference USA. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp has been good since taking over for an injured TJ Finley. While ball security is an issue for Veltkamp, the Hilltoppers still have one of the most dynamic passing attacks in Conference USA thanks to receivers Kisean Johnson and Easton Messer.
A potent passing attack is something that Sam Houston is lacking. Quarterback Hunter Watson is an effective runner, especially with Jay Ducker and DJ McKinney joining him in the backfield. But Watson has completed less than 60% of his passes while failing to reach 100 passing yards three times in six games. Sam Houston’s schedule hasn’t exactly challenged the Bearkats, who have beaten up on several bad teams to get to 5-1. Sam Houston’s biggest test thus far was a 45-14 loss to a UCF team that’s lost three in a row. While the Bearkats have home-field advantage, the Hilltoppers are far better prepared for a game like this and have a quarterback who can win the game with his arm.
Pick: Western Kentucky +3
Florida International (2-4) -5.5 vs. UTEP (0-6)
Poor UTEP is still looking for its first win of the season. The Miners have been smoked by 20 points or more by Sam Houston and Western Kentucky in their last two games. They even lost to Southern Utah, an FCS program they were favored to beat. That leaves UTEP at 0-6 on the season and just 1-5 against the spread. The Miners are among the worst teams in the country at both scoring points and conceding points. They also average fewer than 100 rushing yards per game and still don't have a clear answer at quarterback between Skyler Locklear and Cade McConnell. That doesn't leave much evidence that they can stay close with any other Conference USA team.
To be fair, Florida International has also lost to an FCS opponent this season, dropping a 45-42 result to Monmouth a few weeks ago. However, they have responded to that loss with a win over Louisiana Tech and an overtime road loss to Liberty last week, moving them to 4-2 against the spread this season. Just like UTEP, the Panthers have struggled to run the ball consistently this year. On the bright side, Keyone Jenkins has proven to be a reasonably competent passer. The Panthers may not match up well against the top teams in Conference USA, but wins over Central Michigan and Louisiana Tech, as well as last week’s game with Liberty, serve as evidence that FIU is a level above UTEP right now, which should allow the Panthers to cover a 5.5-point spread on the road.
Pick: Florida International -5.5
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