UTEP Miners Football 2010 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
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2009 Record: 4-8 C-USA Record: 3-5 2010 Returning Starters: 11: 7 Offense, 4 Defense
Coach: Mike Price (At UTEP: 34-38, 6 years)
Offensive Coordinators: Bob Connelly, Aaron Price Defensive Coordinators: Andre Patterson
2010 UTEP Players to Watch: RB Donald Buckram, QB Trevor Vittatoe, SS Braxton Amy, C Tanner Cullumber, RG Rod Huntley, RT Alex Solot, DE Robert Soleyjacks
2010 UTEP Strengths:
Buckram returns after being one of the nation’s most productive running backs in 2009. He and Vittatoe have the chance to leave the program as UTEP’s all-time leading rusher and passer, respectively. The offensive line is solid.
2010 UTEP Weaknesses:
The Miners, after two seasons of failed experimentation with a 3-3-5 scheme, switched to a 4-3 with virtually a new defensive coaching staff. The offense is always productive under Price, but there are some questions about playmaking ability in the passing game.
2010 UTEP Offense:
Mike Price is known for coaching quarterbacks, and UTEP has a good one in senior Trevor Vittatoe. But the Miners offense is now 100 percent built around running back Donald Buckram and what he can do to open up the passing game. Buckram set a school record in 2009 by rushing for 1,594 yards. He also had 453 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns (18 rushing, three receiving). Buckram will try to at least replicate his junior season success, helped by an offense loaded with experience. The three returning starters up front – center Tanner Cullumber, right guard Rod Huntley and right tackle Alex Solot – make a good foundation for a monstrous offensive line. Vittatoe, who averaged 257.7 passing yards per game in 2009, is just 1,402 yards from passing Jordan Palmer for the school’s all-time passing record. Wide receiver Kris Adams is solid, but his production plummeted a year ago. If he can match the 14-touchdown performance of 2008, and forget his two-touchdown letdown of 2009, Adams will give Vittatoe a capable target.
2010 UTEP Defense:
Gone is the 3-3-5 scheme used the last two seasons, scrapped for a more traditional 4-3 base defense under coordinator Andre Patterson. The strength in the defense comes from safety Braxton Amy, whose torn ACL in 2008 should lead to a medical redshirt season and allow him a fifth year of eligibility, although that still hadn’t been finalized heading into summer workouts. With a stellar spring camp, however, he is being counted on to be the team’s anchor after picking off five passes in just eight games in 2009. Even if the secondary is solid, it won’t matter unless UTEP can stop the run. After allowing 200.8 rushing yards per game last year – one of 15 teams in the nation to allow more than 200 per game – the Miners hope adding a fourth defensive lineman will help. Their new 4-3 scheme will better suit three-year starter Robert Soleyjacks, a defensive end. Anthony Morrow and Royzell Smith have a combined 36 starts at linebacker. It would be helpful if new linebackers coach Robert Rodriguez, one of the program’s all-time greats at the position, can jumpstart a unit that has been less than stellar since his departure after the 2004 season.
2010 UTEP Special Teams:
Dakota Warren, a junior college transfer who wasn’t enrolled for spring drills, is expected to step into starting duties at both placekicker and punter. The return game seems set with sophomore Marlon McClure, who ranked fourth in kick returns during C-USA playa year ago.
| 2010 UTEP Football Schedule | 2010 Conference USA Football PreviewUTEP Football Sportsbooks |
2010 UTEP Predictions:
The offense has 10 senior starters, including stars such as Vittatoe and Buckram. If Price doesn’t get the Miners to a bowl game this year, the natives may get restless about sitting through a transition year in 2011. The pressure is on, but there’s enough offensive firepower for a postseason run.
2010 UTEP Betting Odds:
UTEP Current odds to win a National Championship: OFF
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