Week 10 - Middle Tennessee State @ UTEP: How To Watch, Preview, Time, Storylines

Both teams looking to bounce back after tough losses

Kevin Barral | Oct 30, 2024

Middle Tennessee tight end Holden Willis (83) celebrates pushing to get extra yards as Middle Tennessee wide receiver Omari Kelly (1) celebrates with him during the MTSU Homecoming game against Duke, on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. / HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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After both teams took some tough losses, they are looking to bounce back in a big way. The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders are fighting for their bowl lives, having to win the rest of their games to make the postseason. As for the Miners, they look to clinch win number two of the Scotty Walden era.

Here's what you need to know about the lone CUSA Saturday matchup this week.

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA) @ UTEP Miners (1-7, 1-4 Conference USA)

Date: Saturday, November 2

Time: 3:30 PM ET // 2:30 PM CT

Location: Sun Bowl - El Paso, TX

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: WGNS 1450 AM/100.5 FM/101.9 FM – 93.3 FM/95.1 FM - TuneIn and 600 AM ESPN

Betting Line: UTEP -3 on FanDuel

Kelly Leading The Conference

Blue Raiders' wide receiver Omari Kelly has made a name for himself amongst the conference, leading with 779 receiving yards and 46 receptions. In their last game against Jax State, Kelly hauled in eight catches for 128 yards.

Toughest Challenge Yet Through The Air For MTSU

Led by quarterback Nicholas Vattiato, Middle Tennessee has the second best passing offense in Conference USA. Vattiato leads in passing yards, completions and average passing yards per game.

The Blue Raiders will have the tough task of facing the conference's fifth best passing defense. The UTEP Miners at one point were regarded as the best pass defense, but some recent struggles pushed them back. They are allowing 212.1 passing yards per game. Like it will for MTSU, this will be the Miners toughest task when it comes to stopping the pass.

Dorian Hopkins Continued Success

Hopkins, the Miners graduate student linebacker, has had himself a great season with 60 total tackles, fourth most in Conference USA and second in assisted tackles.

Westmoreland Waking up

After a tough start to the season, Miners defensive end Maurice Westmoreland has gotten it going, posting three total tackles and two sacks against Louisiana Tech this past week. On the season, Moreland has 27 total tackles (17 solo/10 assisted), six tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He has the second most sacks in the conference.

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA) @ UTEP Miners (1-7, 1-4 Conference USA)

Kelly Leading The Conference

Toughest Challenge Yet Through The Air For MTSU

Dorian Hopkins Continued Success

Westmoreland Waking up

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