How they match up: UTEP Miners at UTSA Roadrunners
That the two University of Texas system schools UTEP and UTSA play each other annually in football seems natural, but when the programs meet in San Antonio on Saturday it will mark the 10th and final scheduled meeting between the schools.
UTSA, which is off to the American Athletic next year, leads the series 7-2 and with a Conference USA regular-season title already in hand, the Roadrunners are a 17.5-point favorite to finish their league slate undefeated.
The 5-6 Miners are desperate as they need a win to make back-to-back bowls for the first time since 2004-05.
Here is how they match up.
Quarterback Edge: UTSA
UTEP seems quite likely to go with Calvin Brownholtz and the expectation is that he will continue to play well. What would be a bonus is if injured regular starter Gavin Hardison is available in an emergency capacity as he recovers from a high ankle sprain. At any rate, UTSA's Frank Harris gets the check over every other C-USA quarterback and most quarterbacks anywhere in the country.
Running back Edge: Even
Statistically this is close. UTEP's rushing totals with their tandem of Deion Hankins and Ronald Awatt have slightly better numbers than UTSA's duo of Brenden Brady and Kevarian Barnes, though part of that is because UTSA gets so much rushing from Harris.
Receiver Edge: UTSA
The Roadrunners took a blow here when one of their big three, De'Corian Clark, was lost to a torn ACL earlier this month but Joshua Cephus and Zakhari Franklin represent as good of a 1-2 as the Miners have seen all season. Of interest on the UTEP side is how they use Reynaldo Flores, who was mostly a running back last week.
Offensive line Edge: UTSA
UTSA has the top offense in the conference, and obviously the line is a big part of that. The Roadrunners get more rushing yards and have allowed fewer sacks than the Miners, but UTEP is coming off one of its best games against FIU.
Defensive line Edge: UTEP
UTEP's defensive front is coming off a dominating game against FIU, though the challenge in front of it is much bigger this week. UTSA's line doesn't have big numbers but its linebackers do, which is a sign the line is doing its job.
Linebackers Edge: UTSA
This is close. UTEP's top two tacklers are linebackers Tyrice Knight and Cal Wallerstedt, while three of UTSA's top five tacklers are linebackers. Trey Moore has six sacks and four hurries; this unit is where UTSA gets its pass rush.
Defensive backs Edge: UTSA
UTEP is seeking more interceptions but this unit rates as the most improved on the team from the beginning of the year after it battled through injuries and a suspension. For UTSA, corner Corey Mayfield Jr.'s three interceptions matches what the entire UTEP secondary has generated.
Special teams Edge: UTEP
The Miners' Gavin Baechle, who comes in ranked second in the nation with 21 made field goals (25 is first) and UTSA kicker Jarded Sachett have dominated the C-USA special teams player of the week award this season, with six between the two of them. Baechle looks like a lock for first-team all-conference and should be a contender for All-American honors.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP Miners at UTSA Roadrunners how they match up
