2011 Prediction & Game Story
Week 12 - Tulsa at UTEP
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Tulsa (7-3) at UTEP (5-5) Nov. 19, 3:05, CBS Sports Network
Here’s The Deal … Tulsa has one final tune-up before playing its defining game of 2011. No matter what happens in El Paso this Saturday, the victor of next week’s showdown with Houston is going to win the West Division, and likely play Southern Miss on Dec. 3. The Golden Hurricane has been surging since the beginning of October, yet sans the same national attention as the ranked Cougars and Golden Eagles.
It’ll be interesting to see if head coach Bill Blankenship treats this game like any other weekend, or taps the breaks a little in the second half. UTEP will actually have far more at stake this weekend in the Sun Bowl. The Miners are just a victory away from a second straight bowl game following last week’s gut-check comeback win over East Carolina. A postseason game—any postseason—would represent an important step for floundering head coach Mike Price and his program.
Why Tulsa Might Win: Coming off its best offensive output of the season, the Hurricane presents a major challenge to a middling UTEP defense. Consistent with its recent persona, Tulsa is painstakingly balanced, averaging more than 200 yards on the ground and through the air. While it’s not up to the same level as, say, Houston, the offense has myriad options surrounding versatile QB G.J. Kinne. Running backs Ja’Terian Douglas and Trey Watts have both rushed for more than 700 yards, while H-back Willie Carter, TE Clay Sears and WR Bryan Burnham all have at least six touchdown receptions. Better offenses, such as the one about to descend upon El Paso, have had their way with the Miners D all year.
Why UTEP Might Win: If Tulsa is ever going to be looking ahead in a game, this will be it. Yeah, it’ll talk about wanting to win out in order to host the Conference USA title game, but all that truly matters is beating Houston a week from now. The Miners, to the contrary, will be stoked to extend their home winning streak in this series to four. They’ll lean on a running game that’s been one of Price’s best in years. Not unlike the Hurricane, UTEP will spread the ball in a plethora of directions, including feature back Joe Banyard, change-of-pace Vernon Frazier and short-yardage specialist Leilyon Myers.
What To Watch Out For: Tulsa will need to be wary of UTEP’ secret weapon, one of the best special teams units in the conference. With an average of nearly 47 yards a punt, Ian Campbell is a boomer, and a bona fide asset to the Miners’ defense. Frazier provides a spark to the offense, ranking third in the country on kickoff returns. PK Dakota Warren has become more consistent as the season has unfolded. This is one of those hidden areas of the game in which UTEP will have an opportunity to narrow the divide on Tulsa.
What Will Happen: Don’t bury Tulsa if it fails to deliver an “A” game this weekend in El Paso. The program has much bigger fish to fry down the road. Still, there’s enough talent and general pride to survive a UTEP team that’s going to leave everything on the field Saturday night. The Golden Hurricane will have too much offense, especially for a Miners team still unsure whether or not starting QB Nick Lamaison will be able to put the pads on. It’ll spar with its host for at least the first 30 minutes, before Kinne guides his squad to a seventh win in-a-row.
CFN Prediction: Tulsa 32 … UTEP 23
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Click For Latest Line From ATS: Tulsa -13.5 O/U: 54
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