The nonconference grind, part 2

This is the second part of a four-part series taking  a look back at UTEP's nonconference schedule. We'll post some thoughts on what we thought before and after each of the Miners' first four games. Then we'll take a look at how good or bad those games look now with the season nearing the midway point. 

We invite readers to offer their input and analysis, too. 

This installment: Kansas.

Check back in to TUTO Thursday to discuss the rest of UTEP’s games.

Kansas Jayhawks, Sept. 12, Sun Bowl Stadium

Pregame perception: The Jayhawks are a top 25 team. They’ve got a mobile quarterback and a pretty good offense. Not great on defense. UTEP might be able to hang with them if they limit the penalties they had the week before. Some of the most diehard fans are saying upset. Maybe ...  

UTEP result: L, 34-7

Postgame perplexity: Even more mistakes than the previous week, including one additional penalty for a total of 13. Offense can’t move — only 208 total yards and seven first downs. The Jayhawks had six sacks. The score’s no indication of this, but the defense is surprising.  

Kansas' slate

Sept. 5 Northern Colorado W, 49-3

Sept. 12 at UTEP W, 34-7

Sept. 19 Duke W, 44-16

Sept. 26 Southern Miss W, 35-28

Final thoughts: A loss wasn’t the difficult thing to stomach. It was the poor play on offense. At the time it seemed like a one-game deal. Maybe the offensive line had a poor week of practice. Maybe the receivers were hobbled by injuries that weren’t disclosed. It happens. And teams trudge through it. But the lack of offensive prowess has become an alarming trend. The Miners have still not found the right mix on offense three weeks after the Kansas debacle. And the stiff competition has exposed weaknesses in all of the unit’s aspects. We don’t know if it's poor quarterback play, poor offensive line play, poor route running. On defense, the Miners did what they could given the circumstances they were put in. Four times the Jayhawks were given the ball inside UTEP territory, twice inside the 30. It led to 17 points. This is while the Miner offense was being quick to give the ball back. Through all that, the Miners held Kansas to its lowest point output this season. Considering Kansas is now the nation’s No. 7 offense, it doesn’t seem like such a bad performance. 

Comments

[javi]

It could be worse we could be the unm lobos losing at home to nmsu

[javi]

HIstory will be made saturday night at the Sun Bowl UTEP will win be present we will not lose this game guranteed!!!

[just a thought]

This was the game I thought UTEP could win going in. Unfamiliarity by Kansas to UTEP and other intangibles looked to be enough to hang with the big boys. Apparently not.

I knew Reesing was good but thought the defense would come out fired up after Buffalo. Basically, I thought UTEP would play Kansas like SoMiss did.

[Jay Koester]

Just a Thought brings up an important point regarding preseason expectations clashing with reality.

The expectation was UTEP would challenge for the C-USA championship. But looking at how well Southern Miss did AT Kansas, versus how poorly UTEP played at home against Kansas, it's now obvious UTEP is a middle-of-the-pack C-USA team, at best.

[javi]

WTF did i say UTEP WON!!!!!!!