PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl
UTEP (7-5) vs. Fresno State (9-3), University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M., 2:15 p.m., ESPN
Fresno State -11.5 – O/U 51
On the surface, this game seems to be an enormous mismatch. Fresno State ended the season on a roll, including wins over San Diego State and a blowout in the season-ender against surging San Jose State. On the other side is UTEP, a team that started strong but finished by losing four out of five, including a blowout loss to UAB. The Bulldogs have a stronger offense (especially on the passing side), a much stronger defense and was a hair away from playing for the Mountain West championship. But add to this one wrinkle: Fresno State will play this game under interim head coach Lee Marks after head coach Kalen DeBoer left the Bulldogs for the Washington Huskies. Surprisingly, interim coaches don’t really dim the chances of their teams, as they’ve won about two-thirds of the time when their teams have been favored. Marks and the Bulldogs should have no trouble clearing the 11.5 point spread in this one.
Prediction: Fresno State 38-14
Result: Fresno State 31-24
UTEP showed up in a big way. The Miners kept the Bulldogs on their toes throughout the game and led until the last few seconds of the first half. Jordan Mims was the biggest difference in the game, rushing for 165 yards and two touchdowns and catching the lone touchdown pass thrown by QB Jake Haener.
Record:
Bowl season: SU – 2-3; ATS – 1-4-0; O/U – 3-2-0
Overall: SU – 596-185; ATS – 370-325-6; O/U – 336-353-12
Copyright © 2021 by Doug DeBolt.
