Tennessee vs UTEP Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 19, 2024 12:06 PM ET

Tennessee is hardly dead in the SEC Championship chase, and it still has a shot at getting into the College Football Playoff, but there’s a whole lot of traffic to get through after last week’s loss to Georgia. There shouldn’t be a problem against UTEP this week, but the date at Vanderbilt to close is dangerous.

UTEP is coming off a win over Kennesaw State, and it closes out the year at New Mexico State next week, but first it gets a payday in Knoxville. It lost the only other game against a Power Four team to Nebraska 40-7 in the season opener.

Tennessee vs UTEP: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: ESPN+
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Teams: Tennessee (8-2), UTEP (2-8)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Week 13 Schedule, Predictions

Why UTEP Will Win

It’s way too late in the game, but one of the key UTEP problems is still fixable - it’s awful in the red zone.

The scoring punch hasn’t been there all season, but having eight empty trips inside the 20 hasn’t helped - it’s probably a four-win team if it was just a wee bit better there.

But it’s the defensive front that’s the slight concern for Tennessee. The UTEP defense overall isn’t anything fantastic, but it’ll bring the heat. It has the pass rushers and comes up with plenty of plays behind the line - there will be third down sacks in this. But …

Why Tennessee Will Win

There’s just no scoring punch overall. UTEP doesn’t run particularly well and the passing game is hit-or-miss.

Tennessee won’t be going full throttle here, but for at least a half the running game should take over and dictate the tempo.

The Miners have been far better lately against the run, but just assume about 200 rushing yards for the Vols and no chances taken against the aggressive D because …

Tennessee vs UTEP: Who Will Win?

No, UTEP won’t win, but again the pass rush is good and it can take the ball away. The offense won’t do anything when it gets its chances.

The Vols will rely on the running game and D early, will open it up in the third quarter, and it’ll coast from there to get ready for Vanderbilt - and it needs to get ready for Vanderbilt.