Clearly UTEP is a better football team than this particular Mountain West Conferencemember - where UTEP and its Conference USA is to merge.
The 31-17 Homecoming win over Colorado State was scoreboard easy. Romp. UTEP scored on four long touchdowns: 35 yards, 48, 82 and 33. Vernon Frazier had the 48 and the 82. Colorado State was basically snuffed all night by the UTEP defense
This isn't going to happen often. This has not happend much at all in 40 years in Utepia.
OK, Brass tacks.
UTEP is 4-3 and on a two-game winning streak at a time of the season the sprial is usually down. I'm giving this new, positive trend to the defense. Last week UTEP's defense gave up only 7 points at Tulane. Saturday, Colorado State's offense was never in control. After a field goal and a touchdown in the first half, the Rams went six straight possessions without nothing.
Colorado State didn't appear as good as some of UTEP's C-USAs opponents to come.
OK, s'more brass tacks: This was the second game in a row that UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison was not the big star. That came be a good sign because Lamaison is a good quarterback. He'll do better. Two games, two wins, no Lamaison pulling it out. Yet he remains the marquee player on offense.
Bottom line brass tacks: Next week UTEP hosts Southern Mississippi; UTEP should be installed as an underdog (I'll predict 9 points, maybe the oddsmakers will set the line at more). The season does not get easier than Tulane and Colorado State in the final five games.
I'm saying UTEP's prospects rest with the defense. I'm saying there will be no more wins because of four long TDs, but if the defense keeps it up, and Lamaison takes control ... and the offensive line (unsung so far )keeps it going ...
Tune in. UTEP has already done better than expected at 4-3 with five games to play.
"Last week UTEP's defense gave up only 7 points at Tulane. Saturday, Colorado State's offense was never in control. After a field goal and a touchdown in the first half, the Rams went six straight possessions without nothing."
ummm were you at the game? those 10 points you refer to were given to them by the miner offense. in fact the touchdown was a pick six for CSU, and then the next offensive play for utep they fumbled it back to CSU, which after a tremendous goal line stand resulted in the field goal. so for all intents and purposes the utep defense gave up at the most 3 points.
Posted by: boomer sooner | October 22, 2011 at 10:39 PM
UTEP can beat Southern Miss. They are on a streak and believe in themselves. Their defence has to play good, which they can, and the offence has to have a good game. I know that sounds obvious, but we're at home, with a good crowd we can pull it off. I wish I could be there but I'm to far away. GO MINERS!!!
Posted by: Jim | October 22, 2011 at 11:10 PM
Dear “Fat Sow” Joe Muench,
I said it before and I’ll say it again, you better thank the economic recession for your employment at the El Paso Times. If not for the recession I truly believe you would have been fired or been assigned to eight grade girls volleyball coverage. You stink and you’re coverage of Utepia stinks. You often write negative blogs on Utep football. I’ve read several other blogs from Conference USA teams and each writer for each respective team often writes positive stories on each team they cover, even when they lose - not you. You go out of your way to write smack even when Utep wins, like tonight. Be a man and please retire from the Utepia blog. You can always fall back on your sophomoric Sunday El Times Borderland entries. You are a waste of space and a shell of a man to always put El Paso down. If you don’t like El Paso then leave. We don’t need you here.
Posted by: Mr. Hampton | October 23, 2011 at 12:01 AM
your coverage
Posted by: Mr. Hampton | October 23, 2011 at 12:03 AM
I am sorry, but this is one terrible article. It's filled with a lot of pessimism and discouragement for UTEP and the city of El Paso. Just because UTEP came out with the win with four large scoring plays doesn't mean it's a fluke. If UTEP would've won with 4 scoring plays that were each less than 20 yards, would that have made a difference. Everyone wants more support for UTEP and wants the Sun Bowl to fill up. Horribly written articles like this not only prevent that from happening, but falsely influence those who debate whether to spend their hard earned money in going to a game. Think about these sort of things before you write such a degrading and low-blow article about UTEP and their hard-earned victory. There is a different between a realist and someone who just comes off as pompous and ignorant. Your work does get published in El Paso after all.
Posted by: Paul | October 23, 2011 at 12:03 AM
Typical Meunch article. No surprise with the tone of this commentary. Why get upset, he's been writing the same drivel for ever. How are the Aggies doing Joe?
Posted by: Knox62 | October 23, 2011 at 06:22 AM
I'm very impressed with this team and the display of coaching thus far. The offense is as explosive as it has ever been.
The defense is better than it has ever been under MP (Patterson) and special teams is very talented with a good kicker, punter and returners (save the oops kneeled kick-off).
When has a UTEP team been this solid on offense, defense and special teams? Maybe once -- ever? Not even Price's 8-4 tackled this well as they didn't have the same defensive attitude this present team does.
Continued consistent game planning, confident play and smart game day coaching will not only get this team to a bowl game but more importantly some respect that last years team lacked that even with a bowl bid.
Posted by: JAT | October 23, 2011 at 08:08 AM
If you don't agree with Joe article just explain so, no need for the personal attacks.
And I agree with Joe that for the miners to have a winning season Lamaisin needs to step up his game, his passing has been erratic and we can't win just by running the football.
Posted by: Pelon | October 23, 2011 at 08:37 AM
What I clearly saw last night was a dominant team that let CSU stay in the game because of a severe lack of discipline (which I put solely on the coaches). Unsporstman like conduct after celebrating the first touchdown, running into the punter (for a first down), unsportsmanlike like conduct 40 yards away from the ball when CSU QB is sacked inside his own five yard line on 3rd down (for a first down), 2 blatant blocks in the back on a kick return, a personal foul behind the play on Lamaison's TD run, and a kickoff kneel down on the 4 yard line. Do that next week against Southern Miss and see what happens. I understand there is aggressive play and kids will make mistakes, but please get your heads on straight miners. You all have to good of a team to give games away on stupidity.
As for Lamaison, he reminds me a little of Brett Favre. He will make a spectacular play and then follow it with mediocre or turnover. Just needs a little more consistency and time to keep improving.
Fill the stands miner fans. All talk and no walk isn't going to cut it if you want a consistent winner!
Posted by: David | October 23, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Let's see, the team is doing well, but we can't even get 20,000 in the stands for homecoming. The poor attendance should be blamed on the tailgating rules. It is no longer a fun atmosphere.
Posted by: John | October 23, 2011 at 01:35 PM
I dont think Utep is in the same class as Southern Miss. I hope im wrong. As for filling stands David is right. Dont complain about how crappy the Miners are if you dont even go. Bama gets twice as many people at a spring scrimmage red and white game than we do at a regular season game.
Posted by: just saying | October 23, 2011 at 01:35 PM
Good game miners. By the way, attendance was over 30,000!
Posted by: UTEP FAN | October 23, 2011 at 01:46 PM
As an old UTEP grad I would love to go to the games if I did not have to walk so far. I am all for the tailgaters. We need to do all we can to encourage people to go.
Joe's articles are always downers. We need someone who makes people want to go to the game.
So what do I know? After all my degree says it is Texas Western.
Posted by: Ron | October 23, 2011 at 01:53 PM
No need to listen to a guy who can not even run ten yards with out fainting, (Joe) on UTEPIA Go MINERS! maybe it is time for him to pass the torch to the guy who does the EL Paso Times live play by play Evan Mohl?
Posted by: MINER NATION | October 23, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Sloppy play but it's a win. If the Miners can clean it up they have a good chance at another win against Miss.
Posted by: Dave | October 23, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Excellent win for UTEP.......
Hopefully UTEP can catch SMISS rejoicing in their victory against SMU and over look UTEP
If UTEP can win two more games, then they will make it to another bowl game which helps recruiting football talent.
Posted by: ScoutWest | October 23, 2011 at 02:12 PM
It is actually painful to read the writing of this man.
Why does our paper accept and publish poor writing and negative, bigoted columns by Munch and Ramon Renteria?
Posted by: bobby | October 23, 2011 at 02:13 PM
I'm optimistic of the Miners chances for post-season play, yet I maintain that the Miners have a ways to go in order to be considered a good team. I'm optimistic because the defense, the running game and special teams are winning games. In the games that remain, I see two likely wins by beating Rice and UCF; for at least a six win season.
Lamaison's passing, other than in the Stoneybrook game, hasn't been outstanding. He's a skilled athlete but at times not so smart with his throws. If they can fix this aspect of their game it should help them reach their full potential.
As boomer points out, in the Colorado State game, 10 of those 17 points can be attributed to offensive turnovers. If the offense can fix their turnover problems, UTEP will start winning against the better teams. Could of, should of against the AP's #18 Houston.
Now we have Southern Miss next, which just beat SMU, 27 to 3; USM is now #25 in the USA Today/ESPN poll. How about ECU's QB Dominique Davis, which has just broken Cal's Aaron Rodger's record of consecutive passes without a miss. Then there's Tulsa, which is undefeated in CUSA and has losses only to three highly ranked teams; Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise State. So why is Joe wrong in pointing out that UTEP has just finished it's last easy two game streech?
UTEP is a good team, they just happen to be in a conference that has some pretty good teams right now. Let's hope that the Miners can jump to that next level. Go Miners!!
Posted by: LC Ray | October 23, 2011 at 06:27 PM
utep can beat S Miss. Give Nathan Jeffery more that a carry or two... Let him have 15 or 20 carries....
Posted by: fafafa fan | October 23, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Joe Munch is a joke--a bad one.
Posted by: NineteenRabbit | October 24, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Flag on the play!
Personal foul, Joe Utepia, unnecessary use of negativity meant to lower the self esteem of the entire football team.
Joe Utepia's penalty, removal of all Joe's comments and articles for 15 weeks.
The kick is good, Joe has been booted right out of El Paso!
Posted by: fanorama | October 26, 2011 at 08:08 AM
UTEP Fan - "Good game miners. By the way, attendance was over 30,000! "
That is the announced attendance based on total number of ticktes "issued". The actual attendance through the gates was not even 20,000.
Posted by: John | October 26, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Ive said it before. They have still not really. really unleashed Nate Jeffery. If they do. Stand the F back.
Posted by: fafafa fan | October 26, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Our running game has been great this season, but definitely need to see more of Jeffery tote the rock, I love the way this kid runs and he's a playmaker.
Posted by: rj | October 27, 2011 at 12:53 AM
That is the announced attendance based on total number of ticktes "issued". The actual attendance through the gates was not even 20,000.
john, unless utep has switched in the last year in announcing attendance, you have it backwards. they only announce the actual attendance. of course IT IS possible they have switched this year. btw, it looked like closer to 35,000 were there, from where i was sitting. 35,000 though is still a low turn out for this city though.
Posted by: jim | October 27, 2011 at 03:52 PM