There was not much reason for optimism at UTEP in Scotty Walden’s first season as head coach.
The Miners opened the year with six straight losses, including an overtime loss against FCS Southern Utah. None of those contests were even decided by less than 10 points.
But UTEP did earn a few Conference USA victories down the stretch, including an exhilarating 43-35 double-overtime triumph over Kennesaw State.
But now expectations will ramp up a little bit for Walden and the Miners. And it’s very possible UTEP ends up giving something for fans to root for.
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UTEP Football’s Conference USA Title Betting Odds
UTEP’s odds to win Conference USA are +1100, via BetMGM. The team’s odds of making it to the CUSA title game are +600.
The Miners’ betting odds of making it to the College Football Playoff are +8000.
UTEP Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
UTEP’s win total Over/Under is 5.5, with Under 5.5 at -145 and Over 5.5 at +120.
UTEP Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 30 @ Utah State
Sept. 6 vs. UT Martin
Sept. 13 @ Texas
Sept. 20 vs. ULM
Sept. 27 vs. Louisiana Tech
Oct. 8 vs. Liberty
Oct. 15 @ Sam Houston
Oct. 28 @ Kennesaw State
Nov. 8 vs. Jacksonville State
Nov. 15 @ Missouri State
Nov. 22 vs. New Mexico State
Nov. 29 @ Delaware
Dec. 5 Conference USA Championship
Bold indicates CUSA contests
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Key UTEP Football Returners
2024 All-Conference USA 1st Team
PR Kam Thomas
2nd Team
WR Kenny Odom
Honorable Mention
DL KD Johnson
UTEP Football Ready For Next Step
If UTEP is going to compete for a Conference USA title, the Miners have to solidify the quarterback position. And right now, the competition to become the team’s starting signal caller is wide open.
Skyler Locklear and Malachi Nelson are considered to be the frontrunners.
Locklear was the team’s primary QB in 2024. He threw for 1,583 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 63.5% of his passes and rushing for 237 yards and two touchdowns.
Nelson is a former five-star prospect and was the No. 1-ranked recruit by ESPN coming out of high school in 2022. He redshirted at USC in 2023 and spent last season at Boise State but lost the battle to become the Broncos’ starter.
Others, like Cade McConnell who passed for 540 yards, four touchdowns, and three picks at UTEP last season, could be in the mix as well.
Though UTEP lost three of its top four rushers from last season, whoever plays quarterback for the Miners will have some weapons around him.
Kam Thomas, who’s a Miner Back in UTEP’s offense, tied for a team lead with 47 catches while recording 532 yards and two touchdowns through the air last year. He also was a first-team All-CUSA punt returner, returning 10 punts for 100 yards and a touchdown last season while also leading the team with 112 kick return yards.
Kenny Odom is also back after making the All-CUSA second team. He led UTEP with 741 yards and eight touchdowns receiving on 46 catches. UTEP added several pass catchers through the transfer portal as well.
On the offensive line, center Ivan Escobar, tackles Jaquan Toney and Azizi Henry, and left guard Joseph Immediato are all returning after each making multiple starts a season ago.
After finishing last season in the bottom half of Conference USA in terms of scoring defense (32.3 points per game allowed) and total defense (403.2 yards per game allowed), the Miners will want to improve on that side of the ball. But they do have some experience coming back.
Defensive tackle KD Johnson is returning after making the All-CUSA honorable mention list. He tallied 40 tackles, 8.5 for loss, as well as 3.5 sacks and a pass breakup.
Linebacker Nate Dyman returns after ranking second on the team with 84 total tackles while adding 9.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery. Safety Xavier Smith was third on the team with 78 total tackles while tying a team lead with five pass breakups and adding a fumble recovery. Safety Lantz Russell tied a team-best with two interceptions while adding 54 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two sacks, and two pass breakups.
UTEP Football Season Prediction
I predict UTEP won’t win the Conference USA Championship but will go Over 5.5 wins.
I want to pick UTEP to win CUSA this year. I like the program that Scotty Walden is building. I just think Western Kentucky will be a slightly better team this year.
UTEP’s non-conference slate does have a couple winnable games at Utah State and against ULM and UT Martin at home. But even if the Miners are 1-3 going into league play, I think they’ll have a winning record against conference opponents.
Aside from its matchup against Liberty at home, I don’t see another clear loss for UTEP. Some of the best teams UTEP will face, like Louisiana Tech and Jacksonville State, will be games at home.
So I could easily envision the Miners playing in a bowl game, and maybe even a conference championship in 2025 before they head to the Mountain West next year.
