The UTEP Miners suffered through an injury plagued 2013 season that saw them go 2-10. The Miners have now won just 5 games the last two years and haven’t had a winning season since 2005. This year 15 starters and 44 lettermen are back, but still this team is a long way from contending for a bowl game. Preview & schedule below.
Last year the offense put up 31.7 ppg in their first 6 games and then the injury bug hit the offense and they were able to put up just 12.3 ppg in their final 6 games. Jamiell Showers transferred from Texas A&M last year and had a solid first half of the season, throwing for 1296 yards with 11 TDs and just 4 INTs before getting injured. He is healthy now but who will he throw to as only two players return that had more than 13 catches last year. Really that’s Okay cause this is a run first offense. Last year the run game was also grounded by injuries, but 7 of their 8 top ball carriers from last year are all back, which gives them one of the better run games in the league, but still the OL needs to improve for them to be very effective. The defense has allowed 29.8 ppg or more in 5 of their last 6 seasons and this year’s group looks like it will struggle as well. The OL is young and thin, and while the back 7 is a bit more experienced they are still not all that good, with the LB corps rated as 10th best in conference USA, while the secondary is rated 11th best in the conference. Special teams will be a strength on this team, with both kickers back and KR Autrey Golden.
The Miners look like they are in for another long year. Even with 44 lettermen back this team still lacks solid depth and a key injury here or there will derail them all-together. The offense will be better than last year’s group, provided Showers and the running game stays healthy. The defense will improve slightly over last year, but is still one of the worst in Conference USA. The schedule is also very tough and that leaves me with the feeling that they will not top the 2 wins they put up last year. KEY TREND: 0-6 ATS in the 2nd of BB home games.
2014 UTEP Football Schedule
Aug. 30 at New Mexico
Sept. 6 Texas Tech
Sept. 13 New Mexico State
Sept. 27 at Kansas State
Oct. 4 at LA Tech
Oct. 11 Old Dominion
Oct. 25 at UTSA
Nov. 1 Southern Miss
Nov. 8 at Western Kentucky
Nov. 15 North Texas
Nov. 21 at Rice
Nov. 29 Middle Tennessee
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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