The Havoc Rankings check in for the first time of the season.
This week, we're taking a look at the Week 5 matchup between UTEP and New Mexico, where one side has a penchant for creating Havoc on defense, while the offense struggles to control momentum-changing plays.
For those unfamiliar, Havoc is the collection of stats that can derail offensive momentum on the defensive side of the ball, including tackles for loss, pass breakups, forced fumbles, interceptions and sacks.
Havoc allowed, meanwhile, is a stat used to quantify an offense's ability to avoid chaos that creates a negative play. Offenses that are elite in Havoc allowed have a low number of fumbles, interceptions and tackles for loss allowed.
Let's take a look at our college football picks for UTEP vs. New Mexico and Week 5 Havoc Rankings for the upcoming week.
College Football Picks, Havoc Rankings
UTEP vs. New Mexico Odds
| UTEP Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+22.5 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | +1160 |
| New Mexico Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-22.5 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | -2800 |
The Mountain West will be in full swing when UTEP travels to Albuquerque to take on New Mexico in Week 5.
Neither team has played a conference game yet, although both the Miners and Lobos have a common opponent in Oklahoma.
UTEP head coach Scotty Walden entered Year 3 with expectations of progress, but those hopes were deflated with the aforementioned 51-0 beatdown from Oklahoma in Week 1.
New Mexico head coach Jason Eck had a different experience in Norman during Week 3, losing within a possession to a Sooners team that scored only 14 points.
UTEP has critical issues sustaining offensive possessions, converting just 25% of third-down attempts. The biggest issue comes in Havoc allowed, a measurement of an offense's ability to control tackles for loss, interceptions, fumbles and any momentum-draining play for the offense.
The Miners rank second-to-last in Havoc allowed, edging only Old Dominion as the worst offense in the country at containing possession-changing mistakes.
The New Mexico defense has been outstanding this season in numerous categories, including a rank of second in producing Havoc. Eck’s defense has the third-most forced fumbles and the second-most recoveries.
While New Mexico's Defensive Havoc is the crux of this investment, the offense also owns a top-10 Quality Drives rank with one of the more explosive rushing units in the country.
Look for the New Mexico defense to drive a Lobos wager, as the Miners averaged just eight points per game in three contests against Oregon State, Michigan and Oklahoma.
Pick: New Mexico -22.5 or Better · UTEP TT Under 13.5
