How they match up: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at UTEP Miners
A year from now, Middle Tennessee will rate as one of UTEP's longest-standing Conference USA rivals.
As it is, when the teams meet Saturday in the Sun Bowl, it will mark the fifth meeting between the programs, who began playing each other in 2013. The Blue Raiders lead the series 3-1, though the teams have split two meetings in the Sun Bowl.
The Miners need two wins to reach bowl eligibility and has two games remaining this year at home, where they are 8-2 over the past two seasons.
They are a 1-point favorite, so this is the latest of a string of games this season expected to be close.
Here is how they match up.
Quarterback Edge: MTSU
The Blue Raiders' Chase Cunningham and UTEP's Gavin Hardison have similar passing numbers, though Cunningham has completed 66 percent of his passes to Hardison's 52 percent. If Hardison completes two-thirds of his passes UTEP usually wins.
Running backs Edge: UTEP
Deion Hankins and Ronald Awatt form a 1-2 punch for UTEP that has improved each game. Middle's Frank Peasant is the workhorse for a team that is more reliant on the pass.
Receivers Edge: MTSU
The teams are pretty evenly matched at the top, with the Miners' Rey Flores and Tyrin Smith putting up similar numbers to the Blue Raiders' Jaylin Lane and Izaiah Gathings but Middle has more depth. UTEP's search for a third option is still ongoing.
Offensive line Edge: UTEP
The Miners' rushing averages have steadily improved and they now average almost a yard per carry more than MTSU (4.0 to 3.2). This is UTEP's most improved unit over the course of this year.
Defensive line Edge: UTEP
This is the closest check on the board. Jadrian Taylor leads C-USA in sacks and is 15th nationally so UTEP gets this, but Middle's group of Jordan Ferguson (3.5 sacks), Zaylin Wood (4 sacks), Quindarius Dunnigan (2.5 sacks) and Maryle Cook (3.5 sacks) are formidable.
Linebackers Edge: UTEP
Tyrice Knight and Cal Wallersted give UTEP the edge here most weeks. They are tied for first and third respectively for the Miners in tackles. Middle gets most of its tackles from its secondary.
Secondary Edge: MTSU
Middle has 10 interceptions this season, including four from Decorian Patterson, who leads C-USA in that category. The Blue Raiders' three leading tacklers are defensive backs. The Miners are coming off perhaps their best game in the secondary in the win over FAU.
Special teams Edge: UTEP
Miner kicker Gavin Baechle is making as case for all-American as he comes in with a string of 15 consecutive made field goals. UTEP cover units have been good but return has been erratic, particularly on kickoffs. Middle kicker Zeke Rankin is a perfect 7-of-7 on field goals and 25-or-25 on extra points.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at UTEP Miners how they match up
