In today's sports world, betting is hitting an all-time high. According to research by PNR News, the global sports betting market is expected to grow from $89.65 billion in 2021 to $99.20 billion in 2022.

Even though one can't legally place a bet across Texas for the UTEP football program, you might find yourself at the Sportsbook in Ruidoso, N.M. or on a Vegas getaway and think, why not throw a few units on the Miners? 

If you aren't familiar with the basic sports betting terms and oddsmaking, I would advise you to brush up on sports betting with this online cheat sheet. 

Let's dive into some of the lines that are out there involving the Miners.

Since they have a week zero matchup and because they face Oklahoma in the official week one of FBS, the Miners have a pair of games that are already out with betting lines. According to Draftkings, UTEP opens the season as a slight underdog against North Texas. Action Network tabs the Miners as heavy, heavy underdogs going into Norman, Oklahoma.

North Texas vs. UTEP 

Aug. 27 | El Paso, TX 

Analysis: It's a bit too early to throw down on any of these bets. I don't see much value in these two first games. My favorite is UTEP upsetting Oklahoma at an unfathomable +2800, which is a long shot that you bet $10 on and kiss that Alexander Hamilton good-bye. Knowing how tight both the Miners and the Mean Green could be in the season opener, I also like the under on Aug. 27. As far as picking a winner between North Texas and UTEP, I think it's too early to decide. Bet on the home team if your heart desires.

To put the UTEP-OU game into perspective, if you bet $20 on UTEP, the payout would be $580. If you got crazy and wanted to throw $100 on UTEP, you could walk away with $2,900. As Steve Kaplowitz mentioned to me, this could be an ideal bet because (A) you don't have to wait until the end of the season, and (B) if this hits, you'll look like a genius!

WIN TOTAL ODDS (via Caesars Sportsbook) 

UTEP MINERS ODDS TO WIN C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP (via Caesars Sportsbook) 

UTEP MINERS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (via Caesars Sportsbook) 

Lock of the Year: UTEP over 5.5 wins (-125) 

Push aside the fantasies of UTEP winning a national title. Though winning C-USA is not completely out of the realm for the Miners, it's an absolute long shot. UTEP's win total set at 5.5 wins is THE lock of the preseason. When you factor in the returning production on offense and defense, along with a favorable schedule, the Miners are almost expected to go back to a bowl game in 2022. Sure, a slew of injuries could derail the season, but on paper, this is one of the best UTEP teams I can remember going into a season. If you feel daring and you have an extra $20 to spare while in a legal betting state, the long shot bet of UTEP winning C-USA is enticing.