#43 – UTEP Miners 8-4 SU; 4-7 ATS
Fargo’s Take
- Expectations were high in El Paso last
season as the Miners were picked by many to win
the C-USA crown despite it being just their first
year in the conference. It ended up being a disappointing
year as UTEP failed to make it to even the championship
game while dropping its final three games of the
season. Even so, the eight wins matched the total
victories from the previous season, a huge accomplishment
considering the Miners won a total of six games
in the three previous seasons combined. The hiring
of head coach Mike Price certainly has a lot to
do with that and as expected, the Miners are once
again the favorites to win the conference. They
need to avoid the mistakes which hurt them the
most last year. UTEP was 108th in the country
in turnover margin and its 34 turnovers on offense
were the fourth most in the country. The offense
will be explosive once again but cutting down
on those miscues will be the difference between
a championship and another eight-win year.
Returning Starters
on Offense – 7 Senior quarterback
Jordan Palmer has the skills to be one of the
best quarterbacks in the country but he simply
makes too many mistakes. He has tossed 37 interceptions
the last two seasons including an NCAA high 19
last year. He did throw for over 3,500 yards with
29 touchdowns but if the Miners are going to make
a serious run, he needs to cut down on the turnovers.
UTEP was 31st in total offense and 33rd in scoring
offense last season and those averages should
improve this year. There is some excellent experience
all around, especially at receiver and on the
offensive line. The running game was a problem
last year, finishing 87th in the country, but
the return of tailback Marcus Thomas is a big
plus. He did average 5.2 ypc and running behind
a big line means possible progression.
Returning Starters
on Defense – 9 The defense faltered
down the stretch in 2005, allowing 31 or more
points in the last three games and five of the
last six. The unit spent a lot of time on the
field and that is the main cause for digression
during the second half. This year, nine starters
are back and there is a lot of optimism heading
into the season. Nine of the starters are seniors
while the other two are juniors, making it the
most experienced unit in the conference. The Miners
need to stiffen up the rushing defense and they
should be able to accomplish that as four seniors
are back across the line and there is more depth
than ever before. The linebackers are also strong
with three more seniors leading the way. The lone
weak spot could be in the secondary as the cornerbacks,
while experienced, are extremely small with no
one standing over 5’11”.
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Schedule
- The slate is not easy but for a team with so
much experience, it is manageable. The non-conference
schedule is tough with road games at San Diego
St. and New Mexico, two games that should be won
but are by no means guarantees. The two home games
are against Texas Tech and New Mexico St., with
the former setting up as a very entertaining contest.
The C-USA schedule kicks in with two home games
against SMU and Tulane and then the real test
begins. Back-to-back road games against Houston
and Tulsa will go a long way in determining who
will be sitting atop the divisions at the midway
point. UTEP closes with four winnable games, the
toughest being a game at UAB. The Miners can run
the table and with a 6-4 road record over the
last two seasons, it can definitely happen.
You can bet on…
UTEP games are going to be fun to watch as the
offense should be the best in the conference once
again. It will be up to the defense to make some
major improvements as well as Palmer cutting down
on the miscues to determine how far this team
will go. The Miners are 4-11 ATS in non-conference
games since 2000 but they are 3-1 against the
number in Price’s two years. The opening
game at San Diego St. will be a good test as the
Aztecs are an improved squad and these are the
types of games that UTEP needs to win. Since 1989,
the Miners are just 4-12 against the number in
their road opener but did take out New Mexico
St. last season so that trend could start reversing
itself out.
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