UTEP vs Delaware, Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 29, 2025
UTEP visits Delaware Stadium on Saturday at 1:00 PM ET, looking to snap a rough streak after a 34-31 loss to New Mexico State. The Miners are 2-9 overall and 1-6 in CUSA, losing four of the last five. Delaware sits at 5-6 overall and 3-4 in conference after being routed 52-14 by Wake Forest. Neither team has shown a great ability to string results together, but Delaware's better passing numbers and playing at home give the Blue Hens a slight advantage. Rivalries, tempo, trenches — NCAAF picks for UTEP Miners vs Delaware Blue Hens.
UTEP Trying To Finish Strong
UTEP comes in at 2-9 after a run of close losses, including last week's 34-31 defeat to New Mexico State. The offense showed life in that game behind Skyler Locklear's 151 passing yards plus two touchdown throws. He added 37 rushing yards and a rushing score, giving UTEP its most balanced attack in weeks. Ashten Emory delivered the headline performance with 181 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. His season total now sits at 540 rushing yards, giving UTEP its most consistent running back heading into this matchup. Wondame Davis Jr. continues to lead the receiving corps with 492 yards and five touchdowns on the year.
Season-long offensive stats lag behind most teams as UTEP averages 328.4 total yards per game. The passing game averages 204.6 yards, and the ground game just 123.7. The Miners score 22.6 points per contest, and the turnover margin has been an issue at -7. Third down conversion sits at 30.2 percent - near last in the FBS. On the other side, UTEP allows 379.0 yards per game, including 213.7 through the air and 165.3 on the ground. The Miners allow 27.6 points per game, and safety Udoka Ezeani leads the pass rush with 5.0 sacks.
The injury list for UTEP is long and has several starters listed as questionable, including C. Harrelson, E. Willis III, X. Smith, N. Campbell, M. Robinson, A. Rhone, T. Roberts, Z. Hill, and C. Biddle. Many others are out, including J. Ezinwa, G. Hawkins, J. Frilot, C. Cheeks, J. Rudolph, P. Perkins, M. Huber, D. Burns, N. Dyman, J. Smith, and K. Thomas. The Miners have a thin roster, which could come into play on Saturday.
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Delaware Looks To Bounce Back At Home
Delaware enters at just below .500 at 5-6 and heads back home off of a tough 52-14 loss at Wake Forest. The Blue Hens’ offense performed poorly in the loss, finishing with 140 yards passing from Nick Minicucci, who went 21 of 30 with one touchdown. Viron Ellison Jr. led the backfield with 34 yards on nine attempts and added 60 receiving yards and a touchdown. Sean Wilson remains Minicucci's top option in the passing game as the team's leading receiver with 717 yards.
Delaware's offense relies heavily on its passing attack. The team averages 407.1 total yards per game, with 300.3 through the air. The ground game is led by Jo'Natha Silver at 472 yards and three touchdowns. The Blue Hens average 26.9 points per game, providing Delaware a slight advantage over UTEP in scoring. On the other side, Delaware allows 414.9 yards per game, including 238.0 passing and 176.9 rushing. The team allows 32.6 points per game and sits at -8 in turnover margin. Red zone defense is also an issue, as opponents score on nearly 89 percent of their trips.
The injury report for Delaware includes a list of several questionable defensive players: M. Pryor, A. Lee, Y. Hernandez, K. Wright, Q. Price, D. Trainer, and K. Jenkins. Offensively, J. Silver, O. Redd, C. Thomas, and T. Amankwaa are also questionable. Punter J. Cupitt and quarterback Z. Marker remain out.
UTEP Miners vs. Delaware Blue Hens Pick
Spread Pick for UTEP vs. Delaware
- Delaware -5.5 (4 Units)
Delaware's passing game sets up very well against a UTEP defense that allows more than 213 yards per game through the air. Minicucci's 3,203 passing yards and 19 touchdowns on the season give Delaware a decisive advantage with UTEP's secondary possibly thin due to injuries. The Hens are looking to go .500, which would be quite the feat for a first-time FBS squad. The Miners have also struggled to get off the field consistently, and the -7 turnover margin leaves them vulnerable on the road if they start to commit turnovers. Delaware's offense produces nearly 80 more yards per game than UTEP’s. With home field and a healthier quarterback situation, Delaware has what it takes to cover the number.
Over/Under Pick for UTEP vs. Delaware
- Over 56.5 (4 Units)
Both defenses enter underperforming, and each team gives up more than 27 points per game. Delaware allows 32.6, one of the highest marks in the nation, while UTEP allows 27.6. Delaware's offense averages over 300 passing yards per game, and UTEP just gave up 34 to New Mexico State. The Miners also showed signs of life offensively, particularly on the ground with Emory's breakout performance. Delaware's weak red zone defense suggests UTEP can convert drives into touchdowns, and Minicucci's passing should keep the Blue Hens scoring. The pace may not be fast, but defensive breakdowns on both sides will help push the total over.
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