2009 NCAA - Texas-El Paso
Mike Price was hailed as a savior of sorts for the UTEP progam, guiding the Miners from the depths of constant losing seasons to consecutive 8-4 seasons in 2004 and 2005. The last three Miner units, however, haven't been able to outscore their foes and have all had losing seasons. Suddenly, Price is 30-30 at UTEP and in a little bit of hot water in El Paso. He hired former New Mexico assistant Osia Lewis to run the 3-3-5 defense that Rocky Long made popular at UNM. The defense, despite giving up 469 yards per game, was actually improved from the 500-plus per game output that C-USA teams put up in 2007. Still, the 77-35 loss in Tulsa was ghastly - the Golden Hurricane had 791 yards of total offense! Opponents scored 42 or more against UTEP SIX times last fall.
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Texas-El Paso
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The defense is expected to struggle again, but could be somewhat improved. The linebackers appear to be improved despite the unit losing leading tackler Adam Vincent. The secondary is full of seniors, and in it second season with the new system, should also be better. Getting back Braxton Amy at the 'Miner' position (hybrid LB/safety) after he missed 2008 with an injury will also help; Amy led the team in tackles in 2007. On the other side, junior QB Trevor Vittatoe is back; he's thrown for 58 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his first two seasons. There is no standout at RB but several capable backs figure to share the load, and the top two receivers return for Vittatoe.
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ASK the bookie? - Not many will argue with how effective Price can be at helping his team score a lot of points and be offensively effecient. On the other side of the ball, things are radically different. UTEP's defense will have to shore up things and in a hurry if Price wants to have his team be competitive against the C-USA's best units. UTEP gets both Houston and Tulsa at home, and will have to beat at least one if it harbors outside hopes of winning the West. A three-game road stretch against the other three West teams to start November will likely ultimately decide whether the Miners can be C-USA West contenders, pretenders or a possible minor bowl candidate.
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