What you need to know about UTEP

[Big10Ponyfan]

Numbers can be twisted to favor somebody's argument. In an attempt to play it straight, here's what we know about the team from the town where I was born. Hey, at least it's Texas -- barely. And I call it El Crapo.

SHOCKING STAT: SMU has thrown 13 TD passes. UTEP has thrown 11.

1. UTEP QB Jordan Palmer is averaging 35 attempts per game and completing 69 percent of them.

2. The Miners do not have a running back who has surpassed 200 yards this season.

3. The Miners defense has allowed 27, 38, 26 and 38 points in its first four games for a total of 129. SMU has scored 133 points in its last three.

4. UTEP's passing offense is ranked 6th nationally at 303 yards per game. SMU's is ranked 67th at 194 yards per game.

5. UTEP's running offense is ranked 109th nationally with 76 yards per game. SMU's is ranked 51st at 149 yards per game.

6. UTEP's offense is ranked 38th overall at 379 total yards per game. SMU's is ranked 65th at 343 total yards per game.

7. UTEP's defense is ranked 114th nationally allowing 431 yards per game. SMU's is ranked 81st at 350 yards per game.

8. UTEP is minus-2 in turnover ratio. SMU is plus-3 in the turnover ratio.

Bottom line:
Can SMU win this game? Absolutely. UTEP is beatable. While he's a good QB, I think Jordan Palmer is an interception waiting to happen. I don't like a one-dimensional offense. Doesn't matter what level of the game you are in. If you can't run the ball effectively , you can't win consistently.

Say what you want about Tulane's comeback, but we made them one-dimensional and eventually that proved their undoing because their passing game produced the key fumble for us to score the game-sealing TD.

Our offense continues to get better, but we are now coming to that point in the schedule where DeMyron Martin's return is really necessary. At the very least, we need to get Fitzgerald back. I would be surprised if we can't put at least 24 points on the board out there.

Will SMU win this game? Depends on how the Mustangs can handle a sold out SUN Bowl when adversity hits and it will hit.

When we commit a turnover or costly penalty -- see holding penalties in the Red Zone -- how do we respond? Can our defensive line protect our secondary. Will we adjust if UTEP goes no-huddle?

If we had lost in New Orleans, I would have thought we would be in a terrible position this coming Saturday. With a win and a three-game winning streak, we have a chance.

Let's tee it up at 8 p.m. Saturday and see what happens.

[Stallion]

You can't mention UTEP without pointing out that Johnie Lee Higgins Jr is leading the Nation in Receiving yardage per game.

[Big10Ponyfan]

Fair point. He is a game-changer, no question. But you need 22 people to win a football game. I singled out Palmer, but I mainly stuck with the team stats. To me, that turnover ratio is very interesting.

[OC Mustang]

Just for giggles, I think it would be interesting to put McCann in man coverage on Higgins, and let's just see whether McCann's freshman youth can cover Higgins' experience. He is clearly their deep threat, but I'm with Big10 on this one. I think UTEP is beatable, Higgins or no.

But it would be nice if he got 'turf toe' this week during practice. Not wishing anything on him or anything...just pointing out that it would benefit SMU to do so.

[Mustangs35SMU]

The one thing that continues to be a concern for me atleast is our defense on 3rd down.

Multiple times Tulane was forced into a 3rd and 20 or 3rd and 19 or 3rd and 17, etc. And everytime they would get it. We must must must stop UTEP on 3rd down when we are given the chance to do so.

[RGV Pony]

The one thing that continues to be a concern for me atleast is our defense on 3rd down.

Multiple times Tulane was forced into a 3rd and 20 or 3rd and 19 or 3rd and 17, etc. And everytime they would get it. We must must must stop UTEP on 3rd down when we are given the chance to do so.

my sentiments exactly.

[mustangfan01]

Very solid look at the Miners.

Personally, I think that Palmer, when pressured, becomes a turnover machine of epic proportions.

Our D-Line has the edge on their line easily, so the front four should be expected to create sacks. We HAVE to be able to play pass defense. Johnny Lee Higgins is like #5 or 6 in the nation in receiving. If our LB's are going to drop back into coverage a lot, our front four has even more pressure to get Palmer on his back.

Our offense will definately lay it on their weak defense -- hopefully the run game will bring back Arkie State memories. If we can contain their offense a little bit and score early, we can shut out the crowd, make them one-dimensional and predictable...and ultimately, get the W.

This game will not be our hardest of the year.

[Cadillac]

Just for giggles, I think it would be interesting to put McCann in man coverage on Higgins, and let's just see whether McCann's freshman youth can cover Higgins' experience.

I'm going to go ahead and say... no. Thank you, but no. I don't think McCann has the juice at this point to cover anyone with near Higgins' ability. Much love to McCann, but I don't think he's even close to ready to be leaned on to that degree, especially in a conference game, when the Pony's are running hot.

I believe that the real question will be if the line can pressure Palmer into sacks and turnovers. Just from the looks of it, that's the ballgame right there in my opinion.

-CoS

[RedRiverPony]

You can't mention UTEP without pointing out that Johnie Lee Higgins Jr is leading the Nation in Receiving yardage per game.

A fair point. I do remember Higgins, and he's good (when Jonathan Lindley isn't trying to plant him in the ground up to the throat on special teams! )

However .... how many other viable options does Palmer have to throw to? I don't know anything about their other receivers. Does the Florida State transfer play? Or is Palmer looking for No. 21 every time he drops back?

[mustangfan01]

Lorne Sam is a threat (FSU transfer). I believe he is on the field.

[EastStang]

If I'm Price, I'm running the no-huddle this week. It clearly put us on or heels last week and Tulane was able to get some big plays against us. If I'm Bennett, I'm working on a defense against the no huddle this week.

[Stallion]

Sam has already made big plays running, throwing and catching this year but I don't think he's caiught more than about 5 balls this year so far. They use him in a variety of ways.

[SMU Football Blog]

I'll add one:

UTEP has the 48th ranked rushing defense, but that is incredibly misleading. Three of the teams they have played have had the 94th, 98th and 104th ranked rushing offenses in the country. Every team they have played has rushed above its average against UTEP. And quarterbacks have had success running against UTEP as well.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

We better put more heat on the QB than we did against Tulane's QB in the 2nd half.

[Mustang1991]

This week we must play better defense in the second half than we did against Tulane. We need a "kill" mentality when we get a team down 17 points!