Arizona Vs UTEP game preview/discussion thread 9/16/23 8pm on PAC12N

The UTEP Miners and the Arizona Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Arizona Stadium. UTEP has three games in the books already, and the team is fresh off a matchup versus Northwestern. In that one the Miners fell in a disappointing blowout. As for Arizona, they played Mississippi State last weekend. The Wildcats ended up losing a tough one in overtime.

UTEP Miners
The Miners had a competitive matchup versus Jacksonville State in their opener way back on August 26, ultimately falling 17-14. UTEP gave up 208 rushing yards in that one and couldn't get the defense off the field. The Miners got back to .500 the next week versus Incarnate Word though, scoring in every quarter during a 28-14 win.

In the Northwestern game last weekend, the Miners were competitive in the first half with a 7-7 tie. UTEP was outscored 31-0 from there however and lost 38-7. QB Gavin Hardison managed 192 yards with a TD and two picks. Jeremiah Ballard was tops in receiving with four catches for 92 yards.

UTEP Miners Team Facts
UTEP has lost 14 of its last 15 road games in September.
UTEP has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games in September.
Each of UTEP's last four games as a road underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

Arizona Wildcats
Over on the Wildcats' side, they didn't have any trouble versus Northern Arizona in their first game of the year. Arizona scored 21 points in the third quarter alone and cruised to the win 38-3. QB Jayden de Laura posted 285 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, while Tetairoa McMillian had three catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.

In game two versus Mississippi State, the Wildcats were down 14-7 coming out of the locker room. Arizona fought back in the second to force overtime, but eventually lost 31-24. In this one, de Laura had 342 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. McMillian added eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown in an even better outing.

Arizona Wildcats Team Facts
The favorite has won each of Arizona's last six games at Arizona Stadium.
Arizona has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
Arizona has won the first half in 17 of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents at Arizona Stadium.
Five of Arizona's last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts
Arizona ranked T19th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.583).
Arizona ranked 20th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (8.3).
UTEP ranked 22nd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (10.9).
UTEP ranked T30th among FBS teams for Q2 points allowed per game last season (6.0).

Arizona is favored at -17 & the O/U is 57.5

Let's talk about the Wildcats Vs the Miners!

BEARDOWN!!!

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Live stream link ⤵️
https://www.thestreameast.to/cfb/utep-miners-arizona-wildcats-1/

In his last 4 games JDL has 10 INTs  (@ WSU 4, vs. ASU 1, vs. NAU 1,  @ MSU 4) plus a fumble.

No PAC team has a worse record than Arizona football.

Stellar research.  Going off that big sample size, Arizona is 1/2 game behind USC for first place in the Pac-12 and is undefeated in conference play...

Quote from: KansasCityCats on September 14, 2023, 08:04:34 AMStellar research.  Going off that big sample size, Arizona is 1/2 game behind USC for first place in the Pac-12 and is undefeated in conference play...

JDL had a solid game.  Much improved team from last season.  And yes - glad we have a statistician to rely on

Yup, JDL made plays with his legs. He extended drives and the O-line cleared a lot of holes for our RB's (although UTEP's front 7 was underwhelming).

I'm still impressed with the consistency of our defense. Huge improvement over the past couple years.

If JDL can use his legs like he did and stay healthy we should have a chance to win almost every match-up. The defense has improved leaps and bounds.

In the last 15+ years not many teams have been as downright futile as UTEP.
I guess I'm not as impressed as KC and Foos.

I'm not impressed with our opponent. I'm impressed with the way our defense is rarely making mistakes. Despite JDL's high number of turnovers in the first two games (which led to exceptional field position for our opponents), our D has pressed the QB, completely stopped the run and hasn't blown coverages.

We haven't seen a good Arizona D like this since Stoops was around...and those teams still couldn't defend the pass.

This program is moving in the right direction. Our RB/WR/TE corps are talented and we'll surprise some programs in our final PAC-12 season. I couldn't imagine Arizona missing a bowl game this year (although it's been the "norm" in my lifetime).