UTEP Miners at Buffalo Bulls in NCAA Football Action!

The UTEP Miners (4-8 SU, 6-4-1 ATS in 2007) are looking to bounce back from an awfully disappointing season. On Thursday, August 28 they will kick off their 2008 campaign with a trip to Western New York to play the Bulls of the University of Buffalo (5-7 SU, 7-5 ATS in 2007) in an inter-conference game that is slated to kick off at 7 PM ET at UB Stadium (artificial turf) in Buffalo.

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: BUFFALO -3.5, Total 59

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* UTEP has covered two of its last six games

* UTEP has lost its last six games SU

* UTEP has played five of its last eight games OVER the total

* UTEP has lost nine of its last 11 road games SU

* BUFF has covered five of its last seven games

* BUFF has covered six of its last 23 games

* BUFF has lost 17 of its last 25 games SU

* BUFF has played six of its last nine home games OVER the total

When former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill took over as the head man at the University of Buffalo three years ago, not much attention was paid to it. But Gill gained respect quickly, tot he point where he received some mention as a possible successor to Bill Callahan at his alma mater. That is because his Bulls, while not a national power or even a power in the Mid-American Conference, have earned respect.

Buffalo chalked up a 4-4 conference record last year, and with the residue of outstanding recruiting classes and the expanded bowl season, it is not inconceivable that they could challenge for one of those minor bowl positions. Part of the optimism resides with capable QB Drew Willy, who completed 68% of his passes last year, as well as an offensive line that has returned four starters. And there is nothing shabby whatsoever about running back James Starks, who gained 1103 yards last year and is capable of a lot more.

Meanwhile, Mike Price may have worn out his welcome in El Paso, where his Miners were 4-8 last season, completing their second straight year without post-season play after making it to the Houston Bowl and the GMAC Bowl in Price's first two seasons. Marcus Thomas , who ran for 1166 yards and 16 touchdowns, moved on to the San Diego Chargers. And though the defense returns eight starters, it is also a defense that ranked 117th in the nation last season. There is as new defensive coordinator this year (Osai Lewis) and it will blitz a lot more.

That defense may indeed improve, but I will have to see it to believe it. With the Miners having experienced very little success as the visitor (losing nine of its last 11), laying this number with the emerging Bulls and their craft mentor (conference coach of the year in '07) is no big stretch. Let's take Buffalo minus the 3.5 points in the BetUS NCAA football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: BUFFALO -3.5 ***

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com gives it more than the old college try as a contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)