2011 Predictions & Game Story
Week 9 - Southern Miss at UTEP
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Oct. 29 Southern Miss 31 … at UTEP 13
CFN Analysis: COMING
(AP) EL PASO, Texas -- Austin Davis threw three touchdown passes and Jamal Woodyard rushed for 134 yards and a TD as Southern Miss defeated UTEP 31-13 on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles (7-1, 3-1 Conference USA), who won their sixth straight game and are knocking on the door of a Top 25 ranking, broke open a 10-10 game in the second half when Davis threw scoring passes of 47 yards to Quentin Pierce and 15 yards to Dominique Sullivan, and Woodyard scored on a 68-yard run.
Davis also had a 1-yard TD pass to Ryan Balentine in the first quarter and finished with 190 yards passing.
UTEP (4-4, 1-3), which was held to 262 yards of offense, got its only touchdown in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by Leilyon Myers. Dakota Warren added a pair of field goals for the Miners.
Southern Miss (6-1) at UTEP (4-3) Oct. 29, 8:00, CBS Sports Network
Here’s The Deal … While the West half of Conference USA has been making the most headlines in 2011, there’s a budding contender out of the East that’s quietly building a head of steam. Although few outside of Hattiesburg seem to be paying attention, Southern Miss has won five consecutive games since an egregious loss to Marshall on Sept. 10, moving into the tail end of the coaches’ poll. Included in the winning streak was an upset at Virginia, and back-to-back blowouts of Navy and SMU.
The Golden Eagles will leave the nest for the next two weekends, hoping to return on Nov. 12 with an even stronger grip on the divisional lead. UTEP is also flying under the radar these days, though not necessarily at the same altitude. Over the last three games, the Miners have put a scare into unbeaten Houston, and had their way with Tulane and Colorado State. Now that it’s playing better in all three phases of the game, the program is hoping to parlay its momentum into a second consecutive bowl invitation.
Why Southern Miss Might Win: The Golden Eagles are talented on both sides of the ball, but it’s their offensive balance which has really been the calling card this season. Yes, UTEP has shown defensive improvement in October, making a season-high seven sacks in Week 8, but it hasn’t faced anyone with as many weapons as USM. Southern Miss is averaging 37 points a game, ranking first in the league in rushing and fourth in passing. QB Austin Davis is a savvy veteran, with the multi-dimensional skills to parallel the rest of the offensive attack. Now, while leading rusher Kendrick Hardy might be done for the year, it’s possible that talented junior Desmond Johnson might return from a knee injury that’s held him out since the opener.
Why UTEP Might Win: Although USM has been stout against the run in all but the Navy game, the Miners believe they have the stable of backs and blockers to alter the trend. UTEP has been prolific on the ground in October, churning out no fewer than 266 yards and three touchdowns in each of the last three games. Best of all, the program is getting contributions from more than one source. Joe Banyard has been good enough to reach 1,000 yards. Vernon Frazier is coming off a career-best 167-yard effort. And Leilyon Myers leads the team with six touchdowns. Uncharacteristic of a Mike Price-led squad, the Miners are winning with a blue-collar, north-south mode of transportation.
What To Watch Out For: UTEP is going to run, and run often as long as the game remains competitive. The Miners, though, will face a tall order in the form of the Southern Miss linebackers. Even without its best player, injured senior Korey Williams, the Golden Eagles have persevered around bandit Jamie Collins and weakside backer Ronnie Thornton. The consistent playmaking of the two veterans has helped career backups Tim Green and Jeremy Snowden make smoother-than-expected transitions to a promotion in the middle.
What Will Happen: Southern Miss will win its sixth game in-a-row. UTEP will make sure it breaks a sweat to get it. The Miners’ improved play isn’t just about the level of competition of late. No, this team has been surprisingly physical at the point of attack, altering the tempo of games with a diverse ground game. However, the Golden Eagles are no slouch either, as they’ve begun to roll downhill since that lone loss more than a month ago. Davis, as is often the case, will be a difference-maker in an entertaining game that’ll remain up for grabs into the final stanza.
CFN Prediction: Southern Miss 31 … UTEP 27
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