UTEP Undefeated and In Sole Possession of First Place in C-USA

[Minermojo]

I agree with Sisy but of course having an average QB like we do that does not cause us to lose by giving the ball away goes a long way. Unlike the QB before him which honestly I can't even remember his name he does have a good spin on the ball. At least with this guy he can keep defenses on their toes because once in a while he can toss a good one. Of course, having receivers like Cowing and the other guy (remember I'm old and forget names) is an asset because they can come up with a catch more often than not. I don't know all the players yet but perhaps by the fifth game I can remember some.

I wonder how and when Hankins will come back. He really isn't needed at this time I don't think. With Awatt and Eldridge and even Flores they are getting the job done. I was impressed with the Freshman Eldridge with his juking skills. Flores s more of a Fullback than a RB and surprisingly he does get some pretty good yardage.

Now, if we can improve the secondary we would be an above average team but seeing as how easily they are beaten in a lot of passing plays I don't see that it's gonna help us. Caldwell has a tendency to get called for PI and that is aways giving a new set of downs to the opponent. He needs a lot of teaching. I don't know how fast he is and I'm hoping with a little teaching and encouragement he'll get better. Because of our secondary Boise who is a very strong passing team every year that 27 point spread is not a fluke. We may need to run the clock on these guys but as soon as we hand them the ball there will be a passing TD in one minute. It'll come down to Time of Possession even though we hate to admit it as much as we won that last year (time of possession) but still lost the games we have to keep Boise honest and not let them get cocky which will be hard and also score every time that they do.

[kyyote]

I agree that we are seeing a much more balanced attack from Dimel, until he shuts down the offense.  I mainly disagree with shutting it down early in 3Q or only up 10.  You shut it down when up 4 touchdowns or in the 4th Q.

I don't want to bash Hardison, but I think he's just average.  I feel like the best we can say about him is he probably won't cost us any games.  I think with a Hegarty, Garza, Perez, Palmer, we'd be really dynamic.  Especially if we had a Mays or Higgins to receive it.

Sis, normally I would agree with you.  I think he would agree with you. But, for once in a long time I could tell who could do what ever they wanted very early on. So I think it was very much decided based on the same thing I saw. And it has been so long since we have had a chance to actually get some experience at depth without it being shoved on us that it seems strange.
As for Hardison I think he will do fine. The thing is that the years of running the ball into brick walls made us pretty good at it maybe. The shock of a downfield pass not in desperation mode means that Hardison doesn?t have to be pinpoint accurate.
 Boise will tell us. If Dimel pulls starters early or starts grinding the offense to a halt against Boise it will eliminate my excuses.

[kyyote]

Mojo, I agree with almost everything you said. But, I do believe we are developing a pass rush. I think we will try to bully and run the ball on them.  The difference is we have the ability and more importantly the will to throw the ball deep on them on any play and for the first time in years the offense has that threat. But we will be running it up their defense that has to actually defend against a real pass.
One more thing. Boise showed that they can be beat already this year to an admittedly good UCF team.   Am I saying that we can beat them? Not exactly. I am just saying that I don?t think we are the same tomato can people are used to. Start the OPT because it?s a Friday night game.  On Fox Sports 1 I believe.

[SisyphusMiner]

Look like a D1 team against them.  Thats my main hope.

[SisyphusMiner]

I just noticed that So Miss got their butts kicked by South Alabama, a traditionally not great Sun Belt team.  Maybe we have a shot at a 5-1 start.  At that point the team might start believing in itself.

IF that happened, 7-5 would be plausible, which would be accompanied by a bowl game and a 250 year contract extension for Dimel.

[Chanson]

I expect UTEP to play hard and give Boise St a good run. I'm jumping off the fence if I see less than that. If UTEP, for some reason finds a way to win, not only will I get on the band wagon, but I will make sure to make the rest of the seasons games & get back to buying season tickets.

[SisyphusMiner]

I don't get FS1 so I guess I will be listening.  Those that can watch, please let me know what you see