VOD Not Available
This video is not available.
UTEP vs. New Mexico State prediction and game preview. The Miners and Aggies are both looking to earn their first win of the season as they battle in Las Cruces.
September 15, 2015The UTEP Miners and the New Mexico State Aggies meet for the 93rd time in the Battle of I-10. We take a look at the rivalry game below in the UTEP vs. New Mexico State prediction and game preview.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Network: ESPN3
More than bragging rights will be at stake when UTEP and New Mexico State meet for the 93rd time. Both schools will be looking for their first victory of 2015. The Miners have won six straight in the series, but they’ve been smoked by Arkansas and Texas Tech, and are without star RB Aaron Jones. The Aggies are coming off a dreadful home loss to Georgia State a week ago.
After watching the Aggies get lit up through the air by lowly Georgia State, the Miners will want to unwrap QB Mack Leftwich, especially since Jones is on the shelf. Leftwich has started slowly, but he now has the impetus to become a bigger factor in the attack.
The Aggies have shown a little more pop and balance this month than the Miners. RB Larry Rose is effective on the ground, while QB Tyler Rogers to receivers Tyrain Taylor and Teldrick Morgan will be a handful for the UTEP defensive backs.
The UTEP running game will have a very different look now that the explosive Jones is being replaced by 225-pound Jeremiah Laufasa. Laufasa has waited patiently for this opportunity, and his lead blocker will be his younger brother, Darrin.
UTEP has history—and overall better line play—on its side. While there’s no easy way to replace Jones, the face of the offense, the Laufasa brothers will soften a poor New Mexico State D, helping pave the way for Leftwich’s best game of his career.
Final: UTEP 35, New Mexico State 30, Line: UTEP -2.5, o/u: 63.5
Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 1