Venue & Game Info
Location: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas
Kickoff: 9:00 PM ET (8:00 PM local)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Capacity: ~46,670
Weather Forecast (El Paso, TX)
Conditions: Clear skies, dry desert air
Temperature: ~82°F at kickoff, cooling into the low 70s by late game
Wind: 7–10 mph, light crosswind
Impact: Passing/kicking game minimally affected; hydration and stamina could be factors in the dry climate
Injury Report
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
QB Blake Baker (shoulder tightness) – Probable
RB Omiri Wiggins (ankle) – Questionable
UTEP Miners
WR Kenny Odom (hamstring) – Questionable
LB Tyrice Knight (undisclosed) – Out
Key Player Matchups
QB Blake Baker (La Tech) vs. UTEP Secondary
Baker: 443 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs; also 149 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs
UTEP pass defense: allowing 197.8 ypg (61st nationally)
QB Malachi Nelson (UTEP) vs. La Tech Pass Defense
Nelson: 1,069 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs
La Tech pass defense: allowing 263.8 ypg (116th nationally)
Turnover Battle
La Tech: +7 turnover margin (2nd nationally)
UTEP: -4 turnover margin (122nd nationally)
Recent Team Form
Louisiana Tech (3-1)
Last game: Beat Southern Miss 30–20
Strength: Opportunistic defense (6 INTs, 3 defensive TDs)
Weakness: Passing game inconsistent (166.3 ypg, 117th nationally)
UTEP (1-3)
Last game: Lost to Louisiana-Monroe 31–25
Strength: Passing attack (269.3 ypg, 35th nationally)
Weakness: Rushing offense (95 ypg, 125th nationally)
Conference Context
Conference USA matchup
Louisiana Tech already 1–0 in league play, looking for first 4–1 start since 2019
UTEP opens CUSA play, desperate to avoid 1–4 hole
Series History
All-time: Louisiana Tech leads 17–3–1
In El Paso: La Tech leads 8–2–1
Recent: Bulldogs have won 3 straight (2022–2024)
Since joining CUSA: La Tech has won 11 of 12 vs. UTEP
Betting Trends
Louisiana Tech: 4–0 ATS this season
UTEP: 1–2 ATS this season
Last 4 head-to-head: La Tech 3–1 SU, 2–2 ATS
Totals: Only 1 of last 4 meetings went Over
Historical Betting Results
2024: La Tech 30, Southern Miss 20 (La Tech -2.5, Under 49.5) – last game before UTEP matchup
2023: La Tech 24, UTEP 10 (La Tech -6.5, Under 47.5)
2022: La Tech 21, UTEP 17 (UTEP +7.5, Under 46)
2021: UTEP 19, La Tech 3 (UTEP +3.5, Under 48)
Game Odds
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – 4
Texas-El Paso Miners 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
