UTEP never lost three games in a row last season. But the Miners also never won more than three games consecutively, either.
UTEP went on to go 5-7 in 2022, its seventh losing season in eight years. The Miners are hopeful, however, that trend will change in the near future and they will play at an even higher level against Conference USA opponents.
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UTEP Football’s Conference USA Title Odds
UTEP’s odds to win the CUSA Championship are +1000, via BetMGM.
UTEP Football’s Over/Under Win Total
UTEP’s win total Over/Under is 6, with Under 6 at -120 and Over 6 at +100.
UTEP Football’s Schedule
8/26 at Jacksonville State
9/2 vs Incarnate Word
9/9 at Northwestern
9/16 at Arizona
9/23 vs UNLV
9/29 vs Louisiana Tech
10/11 at FIU
10/18 vs New Mexico State
10/25 at Sam Houston
11/4 vs Western Kentucky
11/18 at Middle Tennessee
11/25 vs Liberty
Bold indicates CUSA contests.
Key UTEP Football Returners
2022 All-Conference USA 2nd Team
RB Deion Hankins
DL Praise Amaewhule
LB Tyrice Knight
LS Angelo Tejada
Honorable Mention
OL Andrew Meyer
OL Justin Mayers
OL Elijah Klein
OL Steven Hubbard
DL Keenan Stewart
DB Kobe Hylton
P Joshua Sloan
PR Marcus Bellon
Deion Hankins And Tyrin Smith Leading The Way For UTEP’s Offense
UTEP had two top-notch running backs last year, and one of them is back this season.
Deion Hankins ran for 701 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and tallied three touchdowns on the ground. Hankins was on the all-conference second team last year and is one of the top running backs in Conference USA in 2023.
In UTEP’s passing game, Tyrin Smith is coming off of one of the best seasons the program has ever seen for a wide receiver. He was only the eighth UTEP wideout to tally at least 1,000 yards as he totaled 1,039 yards and seven touchdowns on 71 catches.
Gavin Hardison is back at quarterback for the Miners. He threw for 2,044 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions on a 52% completion rate.
UTEP also added former UTSA wide receiver Dre Spriggs and former Sam Houston running back Daryon Triche to give its offense additional playmakers.
UTEP returns four All-Conference USA honorable mention offensive linemen from last year. Left tackle Steven Hubbard, left guard Justin Mayers, center Andrew Meyer, and right guard Elijah Klein are all back after all starting at least 10 games.
The Miners’ offensive line, which gave up 24 sacks, helped them rank fifth in Conference USA with 167.2 rushing yards per game.
Tyrice Knight And Praise Amaewhule Fueling UTEP’s Defense
UTEP’s defense was strong last season, ranking first in CUSA in total defense (352.5 yards per game allowed) and fifth in scoring defense (27 points per game allowed). And the Miners bring back several talented players on that side of the ball.
Cal Wallerstedt paced UTEP with 14.5 tackles for loss while tying the team lead with 95 tackles to go with eight sacks. Jadrian Taylor was first on the team with 9.5 sacks to go with 11.5 TFLs and 42 total tackles. Both of them are gone this year.
However, six of the Miners’ top 12 tacklers are back. Tyrice Knight and Praise Amaewhule are both returning after making the all-conference second team.
Knight, a linebacker, also tallied 95 tackles while chipping in 6.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Amaewhule, a defensive end, recorded a team-high eight quarterback hurries as well as 24 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and two sacks.
Keenan Stewart, a defensive tackle, made the All-Conference USA honorable mention list after tallying 23 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and seven quarterback hurries. He returns to give UTEP an additional veteran presence up front.
Kobe Hylton is also back after making the All-CUSA honorable mention list. The safety racked up 91 tackles, 10 for loss, and five quarterback hurries. UTEP also added to its secondary by picking up former New Mexico cornerback A.J. Odums.
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UTEP Football Season Prediction
UTEP will not win the CUSA title and will endure yet another losing season.
None of the Miners’ non-conference games will be very easy, but they still could win a pair of games. I could see them beating Incarnate Word and perhaps UNLV at home, but I don’t foresee UTEP defeating Northwestern or Arizona. I ultimately think the Miners will be 2-2 in their non-conference matchups.
But in Conference USA play, I don’t think they’ll win more than three games. Western Kentucky, Liberty, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, and Louisiana Tech all have stronger rosters in my mind.
I do believe UTEP will beat Sam Houston and FIU on the road. Even if the Miners travel to Jacksonville State and win, that still only leaves them with five wins.
A lot would have to go right for UTEP to finish the regular season above .500.
