NCAAF – FREE PLAY: UTEP (309) vs. Sam Houston State (310)

The Bearkats have been gashed by passing attacks five times in six games this season, slowing down only Jacksonville State, a team that is 3rd in the nation in rush attempts, trailing only the Air Force and Army. And even they completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards, season highs in both completion percentage (76.5%) and yards per pass attempt (7.6). Bearkats QB Malachi Nelson threw for seven touchdowns and 9.47 yards per attempt against UT-Martin and Louisiana-Monroe. The three scores and 404 yards against the Warhawks stand out, in particular, given UL-Monroe ranks No. 116 in defensive passing EPA, a full 20 spots ahead of Sam Houston State.

Yes, the Bearkats have the worst passing defense in the country, No. 136 out of 136 FBS teams. I wouldn’t lay points with the Miners as a road favorite against too many teams, but SH is one of them.