UTEP fan here...

[MondoMiner]

How do you guys feel about your team going into this game?

UTEP is still a big question mark, IMO. We're a very young team but we're growing up every week. Unfortunately, our already suspect defense has suffered several injuries in positions we can least afford them. We lost both of our starting CBs and most of our starting defensive line. These were areas that were already concerns going into the season.

On offense we've also got some injuries. Marcus Thomas is our starter at RB (bruiser-type), but we've got a transfer from Oregon (Terrell Jackson)who was a great change of pace back (juker), as well as a speedster (Donald Buckram). Well Buckram is out and Jackson is questionable (he didn't play last week). Our new QB is no Jordan Palmer, but that's both good and bad. He doesn't put up the passing numbers, but he also doesn't serve it up to the opposing team.

I'm hoping for a great game. I think this is a huge game for us. If we can steal a win on the road from you, it would give us some momentum going into a homestand against some tough conference foes (Tulsa, ECU, and Houston).

I'm flying down for the game on Saturday then taking in the Cowboy game on Sunday! I'm stoked!

Anyway, like to get your thoughts. Good luck to you, and please try not to injure any more of our players. Thanks.

[perunapower]

For the love of Pete, PB run Demyron up the middle. They have only the remnants of a DL.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Welcome Miner fan! What's the link to your fan site?

[George S. Patton]

For the love of Pete, PB run Demyron up the middle. They have only the remnants of a DL.

Just remember, you can use Pete or Mike.

[davidsmu94]

Lets just say anything could happen on Saturday. The only thing that is certain is the fact that Patton will post another 200 messages by kickoff.

[MondoMiner]

Welcome Miner fan! What's the link to your fan site?

The most active boards are probably http://kyyotesden.com/index.php?board=1.0/ (independent)
and the rivals board:
http://utep.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=&fid=509

You guys are also welcome on the scout board: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=366#s=366&f=1273, but it's kinda just in it's infancy and we've only got a handful of regular posters (I'm an administrator on that minerreport).

[RGV Pony]

UTEP fan, welcome. We're looking forward to the large cadre of fans that you'll bring to Ford Saturday, as UTEP traditionally does. Although we may snicker at the name "Gold Diggers" and cringe at the Marty Robbins fight song, we look forward to having your butts in our seats. So to speak.

Regarding our team and its chances this weekend, you might notice that the board is pretty quiet relative to football talk. That's because after getting thrashed on national TV by Tech, then allowing NTSU to rewrite some offensive records followed by a road loss at Ark St, a good number of folks on this board expected a bloodletting in Ft. Worth last week. And SMU's D promptly went out and played somewhat competively which, combined with TCU's inept offense, puzzled most of us (and, with apologies to another pf.com'er, left us pleasantly surprised). Nevertheless, an L is an L, so here we are at 1-3.

In short, the pf.com fandom was in high gear [deleted] mode less than a week ago. Now we have sort of a conundrum...we're hung over from [deleted] before the TCU game, and now we can't really [deleted] but can't really put a finger on how things might go Saturday. Complacent? Concerned? Expecting the worst yet hoping for improvement? Yep. Surprised? Not really. Glad that we're at .500 in conference play so far? Absolutely.

[Statler]

The UTEP Marching Miner Band is not coming this year. I hear that they had powerhouse arrangements of "Fiddler on the Roof," but were scared off that Patton might declare war on them.

[Doak's Ghost]

The smoldering discontent with SMU football may even keep pony fans from enjoying a win over UTEP if it happens. We are facing losses with Tulsa, UH, USM, & UCF; with possible wins over Rice, Tulane and Memphis.
The UTEP will likely decide whether SMU finishes 5-7 or 4-8. It's been that kind of a year.

[perunapower]

Good to know you're clairvoyant and already know how the season will play out. We have a legitimate chance to beat everyone in C-USA and a legitimate chance to lose to everyone in C-USA. Beyond that it's unpredictable.

[OR-See-Nee]

Welcome, Miner fan. Hope you enjoy the game and the boulevard. Your team should expect to make or break records on Saturday.

RGV is right. Not much action on this board recently because none of us know what to expect from this team. Expectations were very high at the beginning of the season, particularly with the expensive marketing campaign.

I'll be at the game, but it's one of those situations where you want to go but you are holding your nose at the same time.

[PonyFan]

Welcome aboard, Miner Fan. Check back later this week - this site has better preview stories than anything else out there.

UTEP has a pretty decent sized DFW alumni base. Hope you put some folks in the stands ... and that the Ponies win, of course.

[DickerJames]

Glad that we're at .500 in conference play so far? Absolutely.

We are undefeated in conference play, not at .500. Don't short change this teams record RGV, we need every ounce of positive spin we can muster.

BTW, I think you nailed the pulse of the remaining fans.

[CalallenStang]

The UTEP Marching Miner Band is not coming this year. I hear that they had powerhouse arrangements of "Fiddler on the Roof," but were scared off that Patton might declare war on them.

A-

[SApony]

Welcome UTEP fan. I grew up in El Paso, so the Miners have always been one of my teams. This is one of the only weeks I ever cheer against them. Enjoy the "scenery" on the BLVD, it is something you don't get to see in EP.