How they match up: Florida Atlantic Owls at UTEP Miners football

When UTEP takes on Florida Atlantic for perhaps the final time Saturday afternoon in the Sun Bowl, it will mark the Miners' first home game in a month but the first of two in seven days.

While UTEP trails the all-time series 2-1, the good sign for the Miners is the home team is unbeaten, including UTEP's 27-17 victory in 2015.

There is also history at stake, perhaps of the kind that flies under most radars. Kicker Gavin Baechle, who comes in having made his last 11 field-goal attempts, needs to make two more field goals to give him 50 for his five-year career, which would tie Reagan Schneider's school record set in 2006.

Here is how the teams match up in a game where FAU is favored by four points.

Quarterbacks Edge: FAU

N'Kosi Perry has 16 touchdowns against five interceptions and has completed 56% of his passes. Those numbers for UTEP's Gavin Hardison are eight touchdowns, six interceptions with a 51% completion percentage. Hardison has shown an ability to bounce back from a subpar game and the last time he was in the Sun Bowl against Boise State he was superb.

Running backs Edge: FAU

The Owls' Larry McCammon III is second in C-USA in rushing and Zuberi Mobley gives them a strong 1-2 punch. UTEP has been able to find a hot hand between Ronald Awatt and Deion Hankins and is getting stronger in the run game as the season progresses.

Receivers Edge: FAU

UTEP is better at the top with Tyrin Smith and Reynaldo Flores, but has yet to develop depth, which Florida Atlantic has in abundance. The Miners' top third option seems to be tight end Trent Thompson, which goes against the history of Dana Dimel offenses but that's where they are.

Offensive line Edge: FAU

This is a major strength for the Owls, who average a yard more per rush than UTEP and have allowed nine fewer sacks. The Miners' line has been better when UTEP is playing with a lead and can lean on the run game.

Defensive line Edge: UTEP

Jadrian Taylor is a Conference USA co-leader with five sacks and backup Bryton Thompson has added three. By the numbers FAU doesn't have big statistics from its line, though the Owls' leading tackler is a linebacker, indicating the line is doing something right.

Linebackers Edge: UTEP

This is close, as this is a productive area for both teams. UTEP's Tyrice Knight and FAU's Eddie Williams are both having all-conference seasons. The Miners' Cal Wallersted continues to be a revelation.

Secondary Edge: FAU

All seven Owl interceptions come from their secondary and their second through six tacklers are defensive backs. UTEP has been using a revolving door at spots all over the secondary and it looks to take another spin as freshman Amier Boyd-Matthews could get his first start at corner. UTEP is looking for a bounce-back game here after struggles against Louisiana Tech.

Special teams Edge: UTEP

This is UTEP's biggest check mark as it has edges with just about every unit, though FAU's LaJohntay Wester is one of the better punt returners in C-USA. The one thing the Miners have yet to do is break a kickoff return, which is becoming a point of emphasis for a team resistant to fair catches.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Florida Atlantic Owls at UTEP Miners football How they match up