2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 7 - UTEP at Tulane
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Oct. 15 UTEP 44 … at Tulane 7
CFN Analysis: This is what the offense is supposed to do coming off a two game losing streak. It exploded on the road with four interceptions from the defense helping to set up the offense, and the running game came through with Joe Banyard hitting the 72-yard home run and seven different players accounting for 266 yards and three scores. The passing game wasn’t exactly sharp, with three different quarterbacks combining to complete 7-of-17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown with two picks, but the defense did its part to pick up the slack and Tulane couldn’t get the offense moving. There are plenty of issues – turnovers are a problem and more plays need to be made behind the line – but at 3-3 with four home games in the next five, the Miners are in the hunt for a bowl game.
The Green Wave sputtered and coughed against a mediocre UTEP defense because the turnovers uncharacteristically started to flow. D.J. Ponder threw three picks and Ryan Griffin gave up a pick in the blowout, and the defense didn’t do anything to pick up the slack for the floundering attack. Trent Mackey made 14 tackles with a sack, but that was about the only positive for an defense that couldn’t come up with enough stops against a mediocre passing game that struggled to connect. Fortunately, Memphis is up next to cure all the ills of a four-game losing streak. If Tulane can’t beat the Tigers at home, pack up the truck on the rest of the season.
(AP) NEW ORLEANS -- Texas El-Paso scored 31 points in first half, pulling away easily in route to a 44-7 victory over Tulane on Saturday.
Vernon Frazier opened the scoring for the Miners (3-3, 1-2 Conference USA) on a 15-yard run on UTEP's first drive of the game. Joe Banyard, who led UTEP with 97 yards rushing on nine carries, scored on a 72-yard run to give them an early 14-7 lead.
Four seconds into the second quarter, Leilyon Myers scored on a 3-yard run. Adrian James recovered a block punt in the end zone on Tulane's next possession and Dakota Warren added a field goal late in the second, giving UTEP a 31-7 halftime lead.
UTEP totaled 192 yards on the ground behind the combination of Frazier, Banyard and Myers.
The UTEP defense intercepted four Tulane (2-5, 1-2) passes and stopping the Green Wave on 11-of-17 third-down attempts.
UTEP (2-3) at Tulane (2-4) Oct. 15, 3:30, Fox College Sports
Here’s The Deal … The residence of Tulane head coach Bob Toledo has been on the market for the past few months. If the Green Wave keeps losing, he might be looking for a quick sale real soon. The program has dropped three straight games, falling into a familiar swoon at this time of year. There was a silver lining in last week’s defeat, though, as it gave Syracuse all it could handle before falling, 37-34, on a field goal as time expired.
UTEP is in a similar position as Tulane, wallowing at the rear end of the West Division of Conference USA. To their credit, the Miners hung tough with two of the division’s better teams, Houston and SMU, but were only able to secure moral victories. In the game with the unbeaten Cougars two weeks ago, they actually jumped out to a two-touchdown lead before succumbing to the passing of QB Case Keenum.
Why UTEP Might Win: The Miners proved two weeks ago against Houston that it can put up points in a hurry, and partake in a high-scoring game to three different receivers. RB Joe Banyard scampered for 240 yards on the ground, and QB Nick Lamaison connected for three touchdown passes. The attack has usually had pop under the guidance of head coach Mike Price, spreading the field with good athletes. UTEP will find Tulane to be a generous host. The Green Wave ranks 102nd nationally in scoring D, holding just one of its six opponents, UAB, below 31 points.
Why Tulane Might Win: The Green Wave is basically UTEP with a different logo. It has trouble stopping the other guys, but compensates with a potent and balanced offense. Tulane played well against the Syracuse defense last weekend, cranking out 471 yards and four touchdowns. It houses one of Conference USA’s top workhorses, RB Orleans Darkwa, to go along with the improving passing of Ryan Griffin. The junior has thrown three times as many touchdowns as interceptions, finishing 24-of-30 for 320 yards against the Orange. The Miners have given up 101 points in the last two games, getting gashed on the ground and through the air.
What To Watch Out For: Toledo took his time getting true freshman WR Xavier Rush into the mix on offense through the first five games, but not any longer. The rookie from Terry (Miss.) High School exploded on to the scene a week ago, burning the Syracuse secondary for 135 yards and two touchdowns on only four receptions. A long and lean athlete, he has the sweeping gait needed to get behind defensive backs. If Rush can continue to develop and mature as a pass-catcher, it’ll dramatically help Griffin, who’s been saddled with a pedestrian receiving corps all year.
What Will Happen: Both Tulane and UTEP have a little bounce in their steps after nearly picking off Syracuse and Houston, respectively, in their last game. While there’s not much separation between the two programs, the Green Wave will benefit from having a slightly better backfield in a game dictated by the two offenses. The combination of Griffin and Darkwa will outplay Lamaison and Banyard, getting their hand in on all of the offense’s touchdowns. It’ll be nip-and-tuck throughout, a toss-up game that could come down to the waning moments.
CFN Prediction: Tulane 34 … UTEP 31
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