Miners get split Saturday

Two games Saturday:

I can't see UTEP's football team pushing around BYU's lineMEN in Saturday afternoon's  New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, but I find it no surprise UTEP's basketball team is a 7-point favorite to beat Texas Tech here Saturday night.

FOOTBOWL

UTEP will have to move the ball in the air, and somehow control the clock while doing so. I don't see that happening. UTEP can score in the air, all right, but that's where the Miners mess up, too. If BYU gets the ball, it'll use its bigger, Mormon-Mission-older guys to run the ball and run the clock.

UTEP might get some points running back kicks. That could change things.

Also, BYU plays physical football, like the teams UTEP has a hard time with in the eastern half of Conference USA. UTEP and its mates in the western half of CUSA like to play  more of a finesse/crafty style ... Thus,  rock crushes scissors in the New Mexico Bowl.

BYU is an 11-point favorite.

BASKETBALL


A UTEP (6-2) win means the Miners would have defeated a Big Ten team, Michigan, and a Big 12 team.

Texas Tech is 5-5.

Tech's wins have all been over little guys: Louisiana-Monroe, Stephen F. Austin, Liberty, Georgia Southern and Oral Roberts.

Tech's on a two-game losing streak, at Washington and home against TCU. Tech has been idle the past 10 days.

Tech plays disciplined basketball; UTEP Coach Tim Floyd is in the process of teaching the Miners the same.

All the same, UTEP is at home, the determining advantage in this game.

Comments

[JAT]

Good analysis on both games Joe. Beat BYU and Tech!

[byufanalltheway]

If it's such an advantage, to have out of shape football players that haven't played a down in football for two years, don't you think another school would have done it by now? Join the peace corp or military for two years, or go to "auto-mechanics" school for a couple.

Why (allegedly)shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars for great recruits when all you need to do is get so/so recruits, and have them stall for a couple years?

Careful that they don't get fat, and slow during those two years they are away from football. Also, good luck with the recruiting nightmare, and balancing the scholarship situation while you are doing that.

Your argument is like your writing style... weak, and ineffective. Have fun getting schooled by a bunch of fat, slow, and OLD white guys.

SHEESH!

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Well off to the game. Obviously not a fair weather fan as it promises to be cold and wet out there.

[James]

It is what it is! Older athletes playing younger athletes. There's an advantage, the body and mind are more mature. As far as getting schooled! The MINERS can play, and they will show it today. And for the so called nightmare? We'll gladly take your athletic budget and let you work with ours! So, good luck guy's! Play like Champions! Get your ORANGE ON! No Fair Weather Fans Needed! GO MINERS! P.S. Didn't realize BYU was an all white school? Thought we left all that behind in the 60's!

[BYJuice]

"...The MINERS can play, and they will show it today. And for the so called nightmare?..."

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Wow, James, if you call what the Miners did today playing, I'd hate to see them on an off day.

Pa-the-tic.

[Rob]

UTEP got hammered. If the "older" player thing worked like Joe thinks it does then why isn't BYU undefeated evey year and crowned national champs. UTEP's defense can't tackle. Isn't that taught in Football 101?

[James]

Hey juiceless! Courage,baby courage!I never saw the team quit! Did you? Its people like you that give meaning to the phrase " Fair Weather Fan"! You crawled out from under your rock! No go Back! Who needs ya!Thanks to the seniors for the hard work and sacrifice. See you next season coach and team! Folks keep your ORANGE ON! No Fair Weather Fans Needed! GO MINERS!

[Air Jordan Shoes]

I can't see UTEP's football team pushing around BYU's lineMEN in Saturday afternoon's New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, but I find it no surprise UTEP's basketball team is a 7-point favorite to beat Texas Tech here Saturday night.

[salt lake car insurance]

This is called liability protection and it generally covers damage to property, medical expenses for injuries, and court costs.