College football betting fans know that the 2006 UTEP Miners were a definite disappointment to college football betting fans. NCAA football betting fans know that the Miners went 5-7 straight up and 4-7 against the football betting pointspread. UTEP has had quarterback Jordan Palmer the last few years and now he is gone. NCAA football betting fans see that the team ranked fifth in the nation in passing offense and 116th in rushing offense so head coach Mike Price is going to have to make changes with Palmer gone. NCAA College football betting fans know that the Miners also no longer have top receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins. That means the Miners may have to run the ball now with Marcus Thomas. Oregon transfer Terrell Jackson and sophomores Donald Buckram and Jason Williams also may compete in the backfield.
NCAA football betting fans know that replacing Palmer is a problem. Football betting fans see that freshman pocket passer Trevor Vittatoe is the likely candidate to get the job but anything is possible. Joe West is the leading returning receiver with 496 yards. NCAA football betting fans believe that the player that may help the most is Fred Rouse, a Florida State transfer. NCAA football betting fans know that the defense was a problem last year. They gave up 152 rushing yards per game last season. Football betting fans know that not many quality players return so things may not get any better. What may help is getting Jeremy Jones back. He broke his leg two games into last season.
Check our 2007 UTEP College football stats
NCAA football betting fans are aware that there are a lot of new players for UTEP this season. That could be good news since they disappointed college football betting fans in 2006. NCAA football betting fans know that head coach Mike Price did a great job two years ago getting eight wins out of UTEP but things regressed last year and the Miners were the league’s biggest bust.
NCAA football betting fans think UTEP has winnable games on the schedule. NCAA football betting fans know that they face New Mexico, Texas Tech, New Mexico State and Texas Southern before getting into conference play. College football betting fans know that the Miners play four of the league’s best teams (Tulsa, East Carolina, Houston and Southern Miss), all at home.
NCAA football betting fans believe that the best offensive player will probably be senior RB Marcus Thomas. Football betting fans think that the best defensive player may be senior FS Quintin Demps. He had seven interceptions last season to go along with five broken up passes. Football betting fans believe that there is hope for UTEP to have a winning season. The schedule is favorable and the Miners could bounce back in 2007.