2009 College Football Predictions: UTEP Miners

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This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions.  Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).

UTEP Miners

2008 Record: (5-7, 4-4)
Coach: Mike Price, 5th year (30-30 at UTEP, 159-152 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Bob Connelly (2nd year) and Aaron Price (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: Osia Lewis (2nd year)
Returning Starters: 15 (8 offense, 6 defense, punter)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Trevor Vittatoe)

Offense: The UTEP Miners produced 32.9ppg and 406.5ypg last season and with eight starters returning, the offense should be stacked again. That’s usually not the issue for a Mike Price team. Junior QB Trevor Vittatoe (6-2, 230) returns after throwing for 3,274 yards and 33 touchdowns last year with just nine picks. He also played most of the season with a torn ankle ligament. With four starters returning on the line and his top two receivers back, Vittatoe should have a huge season. Senior Jeff Moturi and junior Kris Adams combined for 101 receptions and 23 touchdowns. At running back, the Miners need an impact player to emerge. Sophomore Vernon Frazier (5-7, 165) was electric in the spring, while junior Donald Bucrkam (5-10, 10) sat out the spring with a minor injury after being listed as the projected starter.

Defense: The defense struggled in the new 3-3-5 scheme last season and they return just six starters. The key will be the healthy return of “Miner” safety Braxton Any (6-0, 210), who missed last season due to a torn ACL. In 2007, he led the team with 112 tackles. Up front, they return two of three starters, but they lack depth on the line. Linebackers Roddray Walker (6-1, 215) and Royzell Smith (6-1, 215) are solid. The secondary returns three of five starters, but that’s not necessarily a good thing for a secondary that was torched last year.

Outlook: The Miners open with Buffalo and Kansas at home. They follow that with roadies against New Mexico State and Texas. The conference schedule features Tulsa and Houston at home, so if they find a defensive rotation that works, they could surprise.

• 2009 College Football Predictions: Nebraska Cornhuskers
• 2009 College Football Predictions: New Mexico State Aggies
• Tulsa at UTEP | College Football Preview
• 2009 College Football Predictions: Buffalo Bulls
• 2009 College Football Predictions: Northern Illinois Huskies