Losing to Oklahoma and Ole Miss was expected. It wasn't by big scores, as has been the case for 30 years against big-game opponents - 24-7 and 28-10. It used to be 40-something to not-much-of-anything.
But UTEP shows no offense and it's tough to win seven games (winning season) when you lose your first two. Next up is archrival New Mexico State, then comes a (yes) for-sure loss at Wisconsin.
UTEP's season now will be chronicled by how well the Miners do after playing at Wisconsin.
When a a team has a total of five winning seasons since 1970, another losing season isn't going to surprise anyone. So, no worries about a loss to Wisconsin.
The Miners are consistent, you have to give them that.
Posted by: Donte1990 | September 08, 2012 at 10:11 PM
What the hell are you guys talking about? Those losses were expected? Really? Why play then? Why not just chalk up three losses, without playing a down, keep your players healthy, and start the season at 0-3? Expecting to lose is as stupid as expecting to win! Nobody knows what will happen until you play the game! UTEP had a shot at winning both games, but could not capitalize when they needed to. Now that is what I call classic Miner football! El Pasoans should not be thrilled that we barely lost to Oklahoma and Ole Miss, but instead be mad we couldn't pull off the upsets! Lets change our attitude to one where we actually want to win the big games, instead of expecting to lose them!
Posted by: Jessie Moreno | September 08, 2012 at 10:35 PM
When UTEP can't beat a majority of the C-USA teams, why are they scheduling Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Wisconsin? No matter how the Sports Information people try to spin it, Price has 6 consecutive losing seasons. And the two winning seasons he had were the first two, with a team recruited by his predecessor. Price can't coach and he can't recruit. Any other program would have dumped him long ago. Is it time to get rid of Stull and get an AD who will go out and find a successful football coach? The administration should make it clear that anything less than 7 wins and a bowl bid will result in Price's firing. Maybe it's time for UTEP to drop down to the FCS.
Posted by: Randolph Nolen | September 08, 2012 at 11:39 PM
A let down after the effort agasinst Oklahoma wasn't a major surprise. UTEP is not the same team offensively without Jeffery. As many times as we were in the red zone and shot ourselves in the foot, I believe Jeffery would have scored at least twice. Money games like OU, OLE Miss, WISCONSIN, keep a program going, but 3 in one year is tough. UTEP can still have a good season. Holding Jeffery out was the right decision. We will need him down the road.
Posted by: Andy Springer | September 09, 2012 at 04:30 AM
This is a joke. If UTEP plays competitively that is a win for them. Wake up a loss is a loss.
Posted by: Kwirh | September 09, 2012 at 06:31 AM
No one is worried about a loss to OU, Miss, and Wis. We are worried about losing to those who are most like us, the UNMs and NMSUs of the world.
The fans, the ones who know football, expected losses to OU, Mississippi, Wisconsin. We expect the Miners to do well, but the losses will come all the same.
Look for at least a four touchdown differential in the Wisconsin game. And don't expect the Miners to be the ones coming out with a W in that one.
Posted by: Been there seen that | September 09, 2012 at 08:38 AM
Let's look at reality. These are money games, and Mike Price had his team competitive against the then # 4 team in the nation and a vastly improved Southeast Conference school. With the exception of Bobby Dobbs (and that was actually the Detroit team that disbanded football), and maybe one or two of Bob Stull's teams, this is the best Miner Team in the last 4 decades. Let's give credit where credit is due, Price and Patterson have this program on sound footing and should be given lifetime contracts.
Posted by: lee howard | September 09, 2012 at 08:55 AM
The beauty of money games is the money, obviously. It's a lot harder for folks to find fault with an athletic program that isn't breaking the bank that one that is.
The ugly of money games is racking up losses and injuries that impact the games the team should be competitive against. It also impacts things like bowl game invitations where 3 money game losses contributes to losing seasons. The trick is to find big-conference teams willing to pay big bucks, like the Minnesota game last year against NMSU in which NMSU won, that the Miners have a good shot a winning. Best of both worlds.
I am quite happy that the Miners were competitive, but like some above, penciled losses in for them in 3 of 4 first four games. I also have them losing 3 more games in conference, which leaves a winning season in the balance.
Posted by: A Fan | September 09, 2012 at 10:09 AM
The fact is that UTEP still lacks skill players on booth sides, offense and defense!
Laimasain, isn't quite the QB everyone thought he was, and neither are the receivers!
The d-backs, well, everyone that saw the game against Ole Miss, saw wide open receivers, not a Miner within ten yards!
Anyone seen any major improvement on the UTEP defensive side of the ball?
I haven't!
Very disappointing indeed! I wouldn't be surprised if UTEP loses to lowly NMSU too!
All in all, UTEP is just the UTEP of old! Coach Price, just give it up man, your time has done left you behind!
Time for a change, I say!
Posted by: Monchis | September 10, 2012 at 11:56 AM
I CALLED IT RIGHT. THE MINERS ARE THE BEST TEAM THEY HAVE HAD LAST 40 YEARS. THEY MANHANDLED AGGIES UNTIL THEY SENT IN SECOND AND THIRD TEAMERS, AND THAT WAS PLAYING AGAINST A 12 MAN TEAM IF YOU CONSIDER THE REF'S. WAKE UP EL PASO THIS IS A SMALL GEOGRAPHIC MARKET WITH LIMITED BUDGET. MIKE PRICE HAS PROGRAM IN BEST SHAPE SINCE BOBBY DOBBS.
Posted by: lee howard | September 16, 2012 at 07:55 AM