PODCAST
Just wanted to note that you still have time to call in a question or comment to be played on next week's UTEP-NMSU football podcast. Just call 546-6120, leave a message, and we'll get you on there.
ODDS
UTEP has opened as a 9.5-point favorite over Memphis. NMSU has opened as a 22.5-point underdog to Kansas.
AND ENDS
The big victory on Saturday has Joe on Utepia drinking the Kool-Aid.
I'm sticking with the previous post. UTEP is now looking at a 7-1 start.
Joe is usually right with his predictions ... but usually he's predicting 3-win seasons. We'll have to see how this one turns out.
Miner Rush is drinking even stiffer Kool-Aid and talking about how Case Keenum's injury, and a favorable schedule, give UTEP a chance to win the C-USA West.
UTEP has the most favorable C-USA East draw because the Miners draw UAB and Marshall. Marshall has some great talent on defense but right now they probably aren't in the same class as ECU, UCF, and Southern Miss. SMU gets East Carolina. Tulsa already lost to ECU and still plays Southern Miss. Houston still has to play UCF and Southern Miss.
Here is where I'm tempted to scoff and do one of those stunts like, "If UTEP wins C-USA West, I'll streak buck-naked through Memorial Triangle to the union." But nobody wants to see that. And, you know, the Miners did look impressive Saturday. And I can't argue with the Miner Rush schedule analysis. So, what the heck, let's dream a little.
beat Memphis and then start drinking the Kool-aid. Yes, it's nice to beat NMSU and beat them bad!! Miners have never beat Memphis, that would be huge.
Posted by: shyminer | September 20, 2010 at 07:12 AM
Beat Memphis then it should be easy rolling over the Lobos...
Posted by: RocketScientist | September 20, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Joe is not predicting a 7-1 Miner start. He is throwing that out there so that if or when they fail, he can blast them and the naysayers can have a field day. Mediocre CUSA is down this year so if the Miners were to make a run, this would be the year to do it. Problem is that we're just not that good yet. Not good enough to run over the rest of the schedule in a weak conference. But if the ball rolls our way, we certainly could win a championship this year. I'm just not going to make any predictions because we've proven ourselves capable of some monumentous breakdowns in close games over the years.
Posted by: CLEOFITZWITZ | September 20, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Makes for the "what if" scenario had Houston played UCLA before we played them. Would could be 8-0 ;)
Posted by: john | September 20, 2010 at 04:23 PM
UTEP did what they had to do against NMSU: win big. However the Aggie offense was so pathetic a shutout would bring the fans back sooner.
Am I sold on the 7-1 prediction by Joe? Not yet. Will Buckram play this year? Will UTEP play defense against someone who can really move the ball. The Houston game showed how weak the Miners are on defense.
I want UTEP to win, make no mistake. But wins over Pine Bluff and NMSU prove little.
The Miners need to tighten their defense and hope Buckram plays this season. So far there's been no sign of either.
Posted by: Chris Stanley | September 20, 2010 at 06:14 PM
In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
Posted by: Best Jersey | August 06, 2011 at 01:21 AM