UTEP by 6 1/2

I'm going with UTEP by 6 1/2 in the season opener in two weeks.

Don't expect Buffalo to be down just because its good quarterback has been graduated. Turner Gil, a quarterback at Nebraska, will have a good one ready to go. UTEP has Trevor Vittatoe so UTEP wins the q'back matchup. I'll go with the wily vet Coach Mike Price over the next big-name-school Coach Gil, too. Yes, Gil will be at a TV school soon.

I'm saying a TD plus 1/2 point because UTEP usually plays its best football early in the season and because it's a home game — and just a little bit because it might be real hot on the Sun Bowl floor and Buffalo is used to the cool mists of Niagara Falls — and Septemember is fall way up in Upstate New York. UTEP didn't like playing in fall weather, if I recall, in last year's game in Buffalo.

Oh, and UTEP will not be looking forward to Kansas, which hits the Sun Bowl the following week — or New Mexico State the week after that. UTEP, I think, will be all business in its mindset to bump off Buffalo of the so-so Mid-American Conferfence. Since there are two weeks before kickoff, have at it with your predictions.

Comments

[shyminer]

it's gonna snow in El Paso, Joe actually said something positive... hahah

[shyminer]

I say the Miners by 10.

[lobodave]

Sold on the Miners' offensive prowess. Not so on its defense. Pick the Miners by 3 against Turner Gils' guys, first game jitters and all.

Imagine that, I picked the Miners to win.

[Erick]

Miners by 3

[Romesbbq]

Miners will put a good game on against them, we will want to close our eyes because we might lose, but will prevail in the end. Utep in a nailbiter by three. Price said it himself when utep was picked by sports illistrated to finish 10-2 , "dont believe everything you read"

[ChiSox Fan]

Can we get a correct spelling of Turner Gill's last name, please?

Not to rain on anyone's parade, either, but Buffalo returns 8 starters on defense and 6 on offense. Included among the returning starters are guys who made the Doak Walker and Fred Biletnikoff watch lists.

It will be a good game and worth the price of admission.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Buffalo returns their two great skill players at RB and WR. If their new QB can get them the ball, it will be a shootout.

The Miner offense will score and do so with great efficiency and balance. That is different from the Palmer-Higgins offenses that were explosive big play offenses. They too often left the defense tired by games end because they would have to go right back out after a Miner score.

The time of possession stat from a year ago should hold true again this year. This should help the Miner defense stay in attack mode throughout the game. The biggest question marks will be the DB's coverage and the ability of the D line and linebackers to put pressure up front.

[Lorenzo]

Predictions for the first game of the year? I like the Miners to pound poor Texas Southern 87-58. The Miners should have no problem winning the first 5 home games on the schedule against Tx So, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Arkansas State, and N.C. A&T. Arkansas State does have a former final four coach in John Brady but our team has way more talent, especially in the backcourt.

Wait... you mean football? Meh, it's a toss-up.

I can't wait for 09-10 Miner Basketball!!!

[Orangefever]

I once heard that "pigs would fly" if Joe ever said something positive & sure enough
"swine flu". And for my prediction...UTEP wins and overtime thriller over the 2008 MAC Champion Buffalo Bulls. Go 2009 Miners! Yes We Can !

[Maven]

Don't care about the point spread. Just looking for a Miner win.

[Rooster]

I am SHOCKED! I completely agree with you Joe.

[just a thought]

I usually like to reserve predictions for the week of but since there is little going on in UTEPIA and Joe is extremely excited about the season (because he knows he jumped the gun a week early) -- here goes it:

For the same reasons I suspected UTEP to play badly in Buffalo I'll do the same for them. Buffalo is traveling a real long way and even though they aren't walking it will take its toll. There are road games and there are ROAD games. Expect Buffalo to come out flat and the UTEP defense (first home game emotion) to actually get to the new QB this game which negates the aforementioned stud receiver CLEO noted.

UTEP's DL is not big or strong enough to stop their stud RB but even so Buffalo shouldn't score points very easily in the red zone. Expect UTEP to roll in this game and win in a blow out which quickly generates more UTEP vehicle bumper stickers and flags than one can remember just days later.

[bob]

I'll go with the defense that place the best in the game. If the Miners' defense steps up, then the Miners win. If Buffalo's defense is dominant, then they win the game. If the two defenses play evenly, then a field goal kicker will decide it.

[stahala]

Is anyone surprised that 4 CUSA teams(E Carolina, S Miss, Tulsa, and Houston)got votes in the top 25 poll? I was.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

James Starks of Buffalo is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Huge blow to Buffalo losing their all time leading rusher.

[John Franco]

This is the year UTEP needs to get it done. Buffalo should be an evenly matched team, so it is gonna come down to coaching. Hopefully, Price can have the team and his coaches ready to go. We don't need a repeat of last year.

[Baskerville]

If price has a repeat of last year, there won't be a repeat next year for him.

[Pick Ax]

Anyone know what happened to Mumme? Monchis?

If you we can get these guys back we'll have an interesting discussion.

Pick Ax

[Toasted Whitebred]

Starks going down is a big deal but I think what's really going to hurt the bulls is the fact that two of their starting D-backs are nursing injuries right now. Their best corner will miss the game for sure and their best safety has missed a week of practice with a pulled hammy. For a mid-major, losing starters always hurts because of a general lack of depth. Luckily, the Miner seem to be deeper at almost every position this year over last. I don't think the bulls have that luxery.

Also, the Bulls are going to utilize more spread option this year, something the Miners should be familiar with.

They also have to replace 3 OL including their center. New center, new QB, new efficiency rating.

Miners by 21

[Toasted Whitebred]

"Anyone know what happened to Mumme? Monchis?

If you we can get these guys back we'll have an interesting discussion.

Pick Ax"

Monchis left in a huff - said he would never be back. Mumme was displaced at NMSU and 'Who's your Mumme' was displaced here. 'Who's your coach' made a couple of posts after Mumme was fired but 'Who's your Walker' has yet to appear. Monchis has been re-incarnated though i'm almost 100% sure.

[tio tomas]

No defense for the Miners. Two guys in the clink. What else is new.

[MONCHIS]

Hello boys, I"m baaaaaaack!!!
Be careful what you wish for!
Toasted, I never left in a huff, I was merely hibernating!
Spring and summer are often very slow sports season, so there just isn't much to discuss!
I've been away for a while but football season just woke me up!
I really haven't heard much about the UTEP football team this year, nor how they compare to the rest of the Conf. USA teams, I'd appreciate a quick review of where we stand!
Come on Jon, Toasted, JAT, Cleo!
I'm hoping this will be a very lively and interesting year with some very hot debates!
As usual though, without much knowledge about the utep D, I predict another stellar job, I mean another cellar dweller, that is!
What does everyone else think?
Is the utep defense improved this year?
Looking forward to another rock-em,
sock-em debate with you guys!

[MondoMiner]

Either that, or he saw the early lines from Las Vegas. Coincidentally, opening up at 6.5.

[MondoMiner]

I expect the defense to be significantly better. They are entering their second year under Lewis' system. After a year and an off-season under their belt, the players will have internalized the philosophy. Now I'm not saying they're going to be a great defensive, maybe not even a good one. They will be a mediocre defense, but that's all the team needs to win some games and go bowling.