The University of Texas at El Paso NCAA Football Picks team had a disappointing season in 2009, the Miners finished 4-8 and 3-5 in conference. The Mike Price coaching decision looked good at this time 4 years ago. Price had taken over the football program, at a predominately basketball institution and led them to back to back bowl bids. But UTEP is coming off of their 4th consecutive losing season, this sports handicapper believes now that the football program has tasted success, Price will need to turn things around quick if he want to keep his job, as a matter of fact, we know that’s the case. Price has some explosive offensive talent to work with this season, but that side of the football hasn’t been the problem. Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe threw for 3,308 yards and it was a pretty bad season, running back Donald Buckram had 1,594 yards rushing to lead the offensive unit, they both return. The defense will have a new 4-3 conventional look, the unit is getting rid of the 3-3-5 that they used to run. The other good news for UTEP is that the schedule looks pretty easy, Houston is the only FBS team on the schedule in the first eight games that had a winning record last season.
In 2009 the explosive UTEP offense averaged 425.4 yards per contest, that ranked 22nd in the FBS. The passing game ranked 21st, averaging a little over 274 yards per contest. The running attack led by Buckram ranked, 57th, with over 151 yards per game, and the Miners put an average of 29.8 points per contest on the scoreboard.
The Miners 2009 defense was poor to say the least. The unit gave up an average of 446 yards per game, and that ranked 100th in college football. The pass defense ranked 98th in the FBS, giving up and average of 246 yards per contest through the air. The run defense was even worse, giving up a little over 200 yards per game on the ground, and that ranked 106th in the nation. UTEP allowed an average of 33.5 points per contest, and that ranked 104th nationally.
Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe, should become the Miners all team leading passer in this, his last season. He has already thrown for over 9,600 yards and 75 touchdowns, Vittatoe did throw 15 picks least season. Running back Buckram is also a senior, and was 4th in the nation last season in rushing, He had eight 100 yard games and toped the 200 yard mark in three of those. He also rushed for at least 2 touchdowns in six games a year ago. But he gained just 777 combined yards against Big 6 opponents Kansas and Texas. The offensive line returns 3 starters to block for Buckram and protect Vittatoe. The wide receiver are OK, senior Kris Adams heads the group.
Only four starters return to a defensive unit that was torched repeatedly. Redshirt freshman tackle Germard Reed won a starting spot during spring drills, and how he hold up is still the question? Linebacker Jeremy Springer is a returning starter, but even he is struggling, he lost his starting job in spring practice. Senior safety Braxton Amy has been productive in the past, and the unit will need his leadership especially with three new starters. Don’t be surprised to see some true freshman get a lot of playing time on the defense.
Charliessports.com predicts UTEP will go 7-5 on College Football Picks in 2010.
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