Can UTEP Football Keep City From Saying "El Pass-o"?

It's August, but why does it seem that getting ready for UTEP football is already a grind?

From rumors that season ticket sales were under 5,000 when the university (finally) kicked off its marketing campaign to the unrest among fans about Mike Price getting an eighth season to lead the Miners, El Paso is slow to come around to the fact of another UTEP football season.

It's like the city had something it didn't want to do later, then napped way too long. Now it's laconic, irritable and has a slight headache.

All this after a bowl season.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was the New Mexico Bowl, UTEP got pole-axed by now-and-forever arch-rival BYU and the Miners finished with a losing record, becoming Exhibit A for those who think the NCAA allows too many bowl games.

No one ever said supporting UTEP Football was easy. But Mike Price and crew are really going to have to pull off something special to get people's attention again.

And that's not going to happen.

Don't get me wrong -- I think the Miners will do better than last year, finish above .500 and go to another bowl game, a game that's a step up from (and a few steps further away than) the New Mexico Bowl.

But let apathy develop a crust and it's hard to scrub away.

It set in last season, as witnessed by sluggish ticket sales despite UTEP's 5-1 start. A 1-6 finish didn't help then and it won't help now.

Hey, there are reasons this city is called "The Pass" that have nothing to do with its geography. Give us an excuse to desert Sun Bowl Saturdays for a Cowboys game a day later and we'll pick up a six-pack and be on your couch after church, cracking jokes about Jordan Palmer playing for another sucky team in orange.

As for UTEP Football 2011, it's not helping that the first game is supposed to be a built-in win against Stony Brook (not to be confused with Stoney Case, UTEP QB Tate Smith's famous quarterbacking cousin). It helps pave the road to bowl eligibility, but will gate receipts pay the light bill?

Part of the problem might end up being a toned-down offense that doesn't appear dominant, even in victory. But this is really only an issue to fans who expect bucket-loads of points from a Mike Price team, and could actually be a real positive.

As former QB Trevor Vittatoe stumbled through his last two seasons, UTEP found a balance between running and passing that should continue this year. With a crew of talented running backs led by Joe Banyard and a new signal caller -- most likely juco transfer Nick Lamaison -- expect that balance to help ease the new guy into the quarterback's role.

Better rushing totals don't make for huge scores but do help a team possess the ball longer. If that's coupled with a second season of defensive improvement under coordinator Andre Patterson, the Miners will win more games.

That's a big "if", and there are plenty more of them, some bad.

If Lamaison isn't the starting quarterback against Stony Brook, UTEP has a problem. Top spot on the depth chart is why he's here.

It's also why he was able to help key a very rare three-man deal to bring two Mt. San Antonio College teammates with him in lineman James Martin and receiver Mike Edwards. Not that they're mere hangers-on -- both had other offers -- but backups don't get to bring buddies.

Unless the other QB contenders -- Smith, Carson Meger or Javia Hall -- have suddenly turned into the second coming of Peyton Manning, seeing any one of them start behind center will be a bad omen.

There is also one "if" that could stop the indifference cold: A win over a sure-to-be nationally-ranked Houston September 29.

It's not likely. The Cougars won't soon forget losing their No. 12 national ranking in UH's last trip to the Sun Bowl, a 58-41 defeat in 2009.

UTEP's athletic department was very happy to keep its goalposts that night. They would have been expensive to replace.

But ask your broker and he'll tell you -- value is relative.

A pair of goalposts for "El Pass-o's" attention these days? That's a bargain.

Comments

[JAT]

Great post Duke. A signature upset could be in the making this year. Teams expected to place last usually sneak up on somebody. Before the 2009 upset of Houston, a lowly 1997 Miner squad (starting yours truly) beat No. 25 BYU and that helped give the team a little buzz and confidence going into that next year. That buzz, (not the one you work with) probably sold a few dozen season tickets in '98.

Unfortunatley, the other side of the upset coin is the remote possibility of being upset ourselves by losing to, or winning extremely ugly against Stony Brook. If that happens, interest in Miner Football would flatline until sometime around the World Series because of scheduling issues. The Miners will be out of sight, out of mind after Sept. 3rd.

I'm curious, what teams do you think are going to lay down for us to get to .500 this year? It looks as if the schedule heartily disagrees with that assessment.

Otherwise, love everything you post. El Paso, and UTEP for that matter are lucky to have you.

[David]

The true supporters of UTEP sports will be there through thick and thin because they know what it means to the players and the university. Understanding that fan support is a major factor in winning, attitude, recruiting, scheduling, and improving seems to have slipped the mind of most El Pasoens.

[Ron Spaugy]

Stony Brook is not a built in gimme...I hope the Miners are ready to play...who could ever forget the gimme that was called Cal Poly?

[Mike]

First Stull has to go. Then Price. I was really excited about UTEP football last year. This year not so much. What good is it if we have a better record this year, go to a bowl game and then play like we did in the New Mexico Bowl. Price did not do a good job of getting the players ready for that game. It was embarrassing. The fans showed up for that game. The team didn't.

[Average Joe]

Oh yeah, a loss to SUNY Stony Brook would be devastating. Very much like the cal poly mess that was Gary Nord's last season. Dukester, you are very optimistic to think we will have a winning season. Hope you are right.

[Marcus Green]

Just like with the Diablos, people have been supporting the teams. You can't expect people to continue supporting losing teams when the people in charge aren't making the necessary moves to fix things. Price needs to be replaced. The Diablos need to spend money to buy decent players who can win consistently.

[hankster]

HOO RAY!! Another lackluster season of Miner Football....And UTEP is focusing on discouraging tailgate activities??? Its bad enough there are a lot of empty seats in the SunBowl, but empty parking stalls??? UTEP needs those fans in the parking lot as much as in the stadium if they want to attact any more ticket sales. Take away the fun and you're left with nothing!!!!

[George in H town]

Not a bad post, but . . . you drinking again? Miners ain't gonna win more than six games . . . Miners ain't gonna win more than two games, and that is only if NMSU really sucks. Time for Price to go. Bad coaching produces bad teams. Bad recruiting produces bad teams. Price is guilty on both counts. Part of the blame must lie with Stull has has really stunk up the place with his coaching selections. So, its time for Stull to go as well.

[Duke Keith]

Joe, I think it can be done provided one of those "ifs" pans out -- that balance between running and passing coupled with continued defensive progress. I respect DC Andre Patterson and think he has a lot to teach these guys. Offensively, QB isn't as big a question when you have a decent rush. That, and I don't think anyone other than Houston and UCF is real dynamic in Conference USA.

Which plays into your question, JAT. I think ECU is going to miss Skip Holtz. That second game at SMU could be a real referendum on the Mustangs under June Jones, too. UTEP usually keeps in close in Dallas, so let's see who can surprise in the 4th quarter. That middle of the schedule is big at Tulane, then home versus CSU and So. Miss.

The other thing I left out -- it's my feeling that when expectations are lowest for Mike Price's teams is when they perform their best. We'll see soon enough.

[Herbert]

I moved to Alabama 12 years ago. Most years in the past, Ive been proud to wear the colors when the Miners came to play the Blazers, just about any sport. Its become embarrassing, especially with Mike Price still in the drivers seat.

[Duke Keith]

No, George, no sauce. Not today, anyway. Say what you will about Stull's hires, but every hoops coach other than Jason Rabedeaux has made an NCAA Tournament and you know Floyd will at some point, too. As for football, he's made two hires: Gary Nord and Price. Both have taken UTEP to bowls, Price finally doing it with his own recruits last season.

George -- historically, Miner football as a program sucks! The ONLY OTHER coach to go to three bowls in his career was Mike Brumbelow 60 years ago, and all three were the Sun Bowl. I think the program is more a black hole than Price is a bad coach.

[Willard Shmekel]

Marcus Green stated the situation perfectly:
"You can't expect people to continue supporting losing teams when the people in charge aren't making the necessary moves to fix things. Price needs to be replaced."

Why in the hell should we keep going to UTEP football games when all we witness is poor coaching and loss after loss? What is it going to take for Stull to wake up and fire Price?

As for a winning season and a bowl appearance, that is nothing but a complete fantasy designed to give people false hope. We have been fed enough of that garbage by Stull and Price.

[Duke Keith]

Mr. Shmekel, no fantasies sold here, nor am I trying to get anyone to buy a ticket. As is pointed out, it's going to take a lot to get El Paso involved with UTEP football again. The anti-Price sentiment on here proves my point. Nobody's buying anything that program is selling.

Removed from that, though, the prediction is just about football. I think UTEP has a balance on both sides of the ball that can help them through that always-rough late season stretch. I think they'll swoon, but not as bad.

Again, it's a historically sucky program. That's hard to overcome and I don't think they'll grab anyone's attention even going 7-6.

[strum]

Utep football will never be a power house. It's all about money and UTEP will never have enough to move up a level. If we had more private industry in El Paso that supported the local teams that would be a good start. Until then, we should be stop whining and be happy with winning seasons and weak bowls. Most true fans remember the old days when we would win 1 if we were lucky. We have come a long way. Quit complaining and start supporting. No support is why no pro teams don't last in El Paso. Good blog Duke!

[strum]

One more thought: It blows me away how locals support the Cowboys; an organization that has nothing to do with El Paso or make our local community better....but they would rather spend money to support them than the home team!! Twisted mentality. Send the money out of town and make the JJ richer and keep El Paso po.

[PharmD in htx]

can't blame coach price for recruiting, he dies what he can, it's hard to get great talent to utep, especially after these kids go visit other schools in big time cities ( UT,UH, OU ,tech etc) I do blame price for coaching flaws, quite embarrassing they show up to play 2 quarters, miss open field tackles, dropped passes hitting them in the numbers, offsides? really ? hs teams in Houston don't even jump off sides anymore. fix the basics and I think they have a decent team going .500+ if not they may have to start playing Houston high school powerhouses north shore and Katy

[bleedorange]

Its funny because everyone acts like UTEP has always had a winning program and now they have fallen on bad times. Its quite the opposite, the problem is that Mike Price won early and lost late vs losing early and winning late so naturally the expectation would be for the teams to maintain or get better. Now why would you charge $20 a ticket for a team that doesn't produce and only get 20,000 fans? Lets see if we lower the price to $10-$12 a ticket maybe we can get 40,000 a game which makes it more exctiting to attend plus most importantly if im a recruit I see people in the stands instead of empty seats. UTEP's marketing is horrible...but i say keep Stull he has proven himself and Mike Price it's now or never but I got your back because my boys and I love our Miners!!

[jim]

I'm 54, and I don't ever remember UTEP being a good team. Even when they have a decent season they still only beat mediocre teams. They have never competed with the BIG BOYS.

[Stephen]

"Hey, there are reasons this city is called "The Pass" that have nothing to do with its geography. Give us an excuse to desert Sun Bowl Saturdays for a Cowboys game a day later and we'll pick up a six-pack and be on your couch after church, cracking jokes about Jordan Palmer playing for another sucky team in orange." I cracked up when I read this. Good luck UTEP

[Duke Keith]

At age 54, Jim, you wouldn't have been around to see the last UTEP coach who took the Miners to three bowl games. As was stated earlier, that was Mike Brumbelow 60 years ago! Doesn't matter who leads, bad history is hard to overcome. Boise State did it in part because it had NO history (and access to California players who might've gone to Washington State if Price was still there).

[andyspringer]

I do remember UTEP beating TCU and Ole Miss in the SUN BOWL GAME when my friend and famous ex-Abilene Eagle Chuck Hughes was playing for the Miners. UTEP did have pretty good teams during that era. Bob Stull had some good teams. No program was ever built firing Coaches. Price has done a good job of recruiting. He is a good football Coach. Either support the Miners, buy tickets and go to games or stay at home and keep your mouth shut.

[Al]

I used to fly in to El Paso every September to catch the football home opener. I didn't do that last year. After the poor performance the previous year against Buffalo, w/ bad snaps and turn-overs, I just couldn't see myself making the trip, taking time off from work, paying for an airline ticket, etc., to see a sub-par performing team against Ark- Pine Bluff. This year against Stony Brook, I have also chosen to skip. I will say this Duke, you're right about UH still being pissed off about the loss in 2009. I am enrolled at UH as a graduate student and I still hear the hatred people have for UTEP because of that game. The posters last season said, "It's payback time!"

I love my Miners. I do. Everybody who knows me knows what a huge UTEP fan I am, but it sounds like I'm not the only one who just doesn't want to pay good money to see a bad team on the field. Maybe if I still lived in El Paso I'd catch more games, but to travel into town from Houston has just become not worth the trip.