UTEP vs Texas Pick and Prediction September 13th, 2025
Texas looks to climb back into the top five as they take on UTEP on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. EST in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Check out our UTEP Miners vs Texas Longhorns pick and prediction here!
UTEP is tied with seven other teams in Conference USA with an identical 1-1 record to start the year. Nobody expects the Miners to win this game, but if they keep it close, they can use that as a morale booster for future games. Meanwhile, Texas is trying to put itself back at the top of the SEC. While they have a 1-1 record, their loss was against #1 Ohio State. Texas is a heavy favorite at -41.5 points while the total is set at 52 points. Can UTEP pull a shocking upset on the road?
Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Miners Might Need a Miracle
UTEP earned their first win of the season last week, defeating the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks by a score of 42-17. Malachi Nelson went 14/26 for 278 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions while Hahsaun Wilson led the team with 117 yards and a touchdown on only eight carries. Kenny Odom led the receiving corps with five catches for 124 yards and a score, but Ashten Emory caught two TD passes on the day. Defensively, Micah Davey had eight tackles and six tackle assists while three different players had a sack each.
The Miners will have 31 incoming transfers and 39 outgoing transfers. Seven of the top transfers will be venturing to other locations including Amier Boyd, Kyran Duhon, and Dillon Williams. Malachi Nelson is the headline transfer into the program.
Nelson is leading the team at the QB position with a 60% completion percentage for 456 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Wilson is the only rusher so far to have over 100 yards with 117 on eight carries. Emory has a team-high two rushing touchdowns. Kenny Odom is the leading receiver with 221 yards on 14 receptions. Along with Emory, he has two TD receptions to his name. Micah Davey has the most tackles on defense with 22. Ashaad Hall and Udoka Ezeani each have a team-high two sacks while nobody has multiple passes defended on the year. Interestingly, nobody has a pick on the season as of yet too.
Sign Up for StatSalt News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Longhorns Looking for More
Texas rebounded from its loss to Ohio State with a 38-7 victory over San Jose State. Arch Manning went 19/30 for four touchdowns, 295 yards, and one interception. CJ Baxter led the ground game with 13 carries for 64 yards and Parker Livingstone caught four passes for a team-high 128 yards and two touchdowns. Jack Endries also caught two TD passes in the effort. On defense, Michael Taaffe led the way with seven tackles and Maraad Watson had 1.5 sacks. Jaylon Guilbeau had an interception on the day as well.
Texas is welcoming in eleven new players from the transfer portal while 15 players are departing the program. Their defensive line will receive an influx of top-tier players, including Maraad Watson, Cole Brevard, and Travis Shaw. Derion Gullette and Amari Niblack are the biggest names to leave the program. Texas has championship aspirations after coming close last year, so they are hoping these transfers can help propel them to glory.
Arch Manning has 465 yards passing on the year thus far to go with a 60% completion percentage, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. CJ Baxter is the only back to eclipse 100 yards with 104 on 23 carries. Arch Manning is the only one with a rushing touchdown so far and Parker Livingstone is leading the team in receiving yards with 175. He is also leading with three touchdowns, although Jack Endries is following closely behind with two touchdown receptions of his own and tying with Livingstone with six receptions. On the defensive side of the ball, Taaffe has the most tackles with 17 including a team-high nine solo tackles. Watson has the most sacks with 1.5 and Malik Muhammad is the only player with multiple passes defended on the year. Guilbeau is the only one with an interception so far, but that will change soon.
UTEP vs. Texas Pick
Spread Pick for UTEP vs. Texas
- Texas -41.5 points (4 units)
I can't wait to eat my words, but I am not entirely sold on Arch Manning just yet. He performed well against San Jose State, but Texas doesn't have that great of a run game that we've seen thus far. Texas hasn't been able to cover the spread in their last four games in a row and UTEP comes into this game with a bit of excitement after beating up on their previous opponent. Texas hasn't scored 40+ points in their last nine games, and I have enough confidence in UTEP for them to get a garbage-time touchdown at the very least.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,502.00 |
| 2 |  Pro Sports Picks | +1,421.00 |
| 3 |  Brick Haus Sports | +634.00 |
| 4 |  David Delano | +492.00 |
| 5 |  Michael Briggs | +355.00 |
Over/Under pick for UTEP vs Texas
- Under 52 (4 units)
What goes unnoticed so far is that Texas has only given up 21 points on defense across their last two games, including one game against the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes. I doubt UTEP will put up more than ten points against Texas and their defense, particularly with their new transfers on the defensive line ready to create havoc. So if we are to safely assume that UTEP puts up ten points or less, it depends on how much you value the offense of the Longhorns. I suspect the offense will revolve more around the run game which has been lacking a bit in the first two games. Running the ball will drain the clock quickly and limit the number of opportunities Texas has to run up the score. I need to see more from Arch Manning before I can trust him to carry an offense to cover the spread. As a result, I don't trust him yet to score 45+ points.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
