UTEP FB is team to watch next season

[MinerInWisconsin]

Says that without so many injuries, UTEP would have been bowling this year and is the team to watch for next year. Breakout season? Stay healthy Miners.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sp...-conference-usa-power-rankings-2015/77968990/

 

[Minerinciter]

http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-16/2016-utep-miners-football-schedule.php

 

[EPsports27]

If we can get an OC that can develop a passing game, we should have a good year with Jones back. Kugler deserves a lot of credit for what he did last year given all of the injuries. I wish Stoker would be back, the defense improved from the first game to the last game and he had had to play a lot of inexperienced players.

 

[nattybry]

Nice people notice how this team fought this year. I agree barring more injuries this team has a nice nucleus returning. We'll have to see what offensive and defensive changes are in store and if Kugler stays with the QBs on the Roster or brings in a transfer. With some questions still in the air I think next year can go from anywhere between 6 and 10 wins...

 

[Minerforlife]

We were a 37 yd field goal away from going bowling. We are only losing three key contributors Roberts Harris, Musgrave and Lee. Playing all the young kids this year will pay big dividends next year. Kuglers teams play very well at home and we have seven home games. I cant wait for the season to start its going to be a long eight months.

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

And Kugler's teams seem to be able to play tough football in November which is an oddity for us. Also looking forward to September.

 

[Rot]

I'm excited to see how this team will perform next year. I'm hoping we don't have as many injuries and play in a good bowl game. I'm curious to see if Kugler will be looking to add a juco or transfer QB.

 

[MINER63]

Does anybody know more about the schedule than that which is listed? Texas, Army, and the Sisters of Mercy. Who else? What are the 7 home games? NMSU is supposed to come here. Who else? The date is not important. Can we figure this out ourselves?

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

Does anybody know more about the schedule than that which is listed? Texas, Army, and the Sisters of Mercy. Who else? What are the 7 home games? NMSU is supposed to come here. Who else? The date is not important. Can we figure this out ourselves?

It's been discussed on the conference board that the same conference schedule as last season, flipped for home and road. If true UTEP will host North Texas, FIU, USM and ODU while traveling to Rice, UTSA, FAU and LT. OOC UTEP host NMSU, Army, Houston Baptist (fcs) and travels to Texas.

 

[Voice of the Mosquito]

Not exactly a daunting schedule. Texas will be tough out of conference wise, but Army and NMSU are on our level, HBU way below. Conference wise nobody looks to be overwhelming. With a bit of luck and staying healthy we could be in the mix for a conference title. With NMSU improving I am looking forward to that game more than in years past. It sets up for a break out year.

 

[nattybry]

Schedule sets up nice, we could go 7-0 at home and get 2 on the road. That's actually not too far fetched. Still holding back my enthusiasm until we see what our offense and defense look like and who's gonna play QB. I like Leftwich, he has heart, but God Bless him, I don't know if he should play football any more, might be time to look into coaching.

 

[LaserCoog]

Texas Tech backup QB announced he's transferring, graduates in spring, destination currently unknown but AnM would be a likely suspect. Not sure if he's got one or two years remaining...

 

[MineroFanatico]

Texas Tech backup QB announced he's transferring, graduates in spring, destination currently unknown but AnM would be a likely suspect. Not sure if he's got one or two years remaining...

If you're talking about Webb, he has 1 year left.

 

[Minerforlife]

Webb is heading to Bowling Green

 

[EPsports27]

Any rumors on the DC position? The defense can make or break us next season since the players will need to learn a whole new system depending on the new DC. Hopefully we have the right personnel to run the new system.

 

[Minerforlife]

Any rumors on the DC position? The defense can make or break us next season since the players will need to learn a whole new system depending on the new DC. Hopefully we have the right personnel to run the new system.

No clue who the new dc is. To me it looks like they are recuiting players to fit into a 3-4.

 

[EPsports27]

I read on another board that Kugler has been talking to former Hawaii DC Tom Mason. I sure hope not cause they finish towards the bottom this season.

 

[kickballpro]

I read on another board that Kugler has been talking to former Hawaii DC Tom Mason. I sure hope not cause they finish towards the bottom this season.

Tom Mason is a good football coach, we'd be lucky to have him. I wonder if he worked with Kugler at Boise State.

 

[UTEPDefense]

- If Tom Mason Coached at SMU for 7 seasons, then he should have developed some good Texas High School Recruiting contacts during that time. So that at least makes sense.

- The Pittsburgh Steelers have based out of the 3-4 defense since the 80's, so maybe Kugler became comfortable with the 3-4 while coaching there?

- Tom Mason's SMU profile gives the impression that his defenses performed really well in SMU's Bowl Games, which also matches Kugler's trend of playing it's best football at the end of the season:

"In 2012, Mason's defense posted two shutouts (SMU's most in a season since 1983), tied an NCAA season record for pick-sixes and tied for third in the country in total takeaways and second in fumble recoveries for TDs. The Mustangs also finished the year ranked 15th in rush defense.

The 2011 season was capped off with a BBVA Compass Bowl win that saw the Mustangs limit Pitt to just 10 rushing yards and a Bowl-record-low six points.

In 2009, Mason transformed SMU's defense from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 and the results were immediate. In SMU's 45-10 win over Nevada in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the Mustang defense held the Wolf Pack's No. 1-ranked rushing offense to a season-low 137 yards - more than 200 yards below its average."

- Mason's defenses appear to pressure the QB, which also matches Kugler's stated defensive philosophy.

- There is the Boise State tie-in with Kugler as well.

- Tom Mason's SMU defense came to El Paso and shut-out Aaron Price during the 2012 season. To put that into perspective; as bad as Patrick Higgins was this year, and even with Higgins playing 2 Freshmen QB's & 1 Sophomore QB this season, he still never got shut-out.

At first look, Mason doesn't jump out at me, but I think he could be okay and him being hired does seem reasonable and makes sense.

 

[EPsports27]

Good break down. If its true, it looks like a good hire.

 

[LaserCoog]

[QUOTE="EPsports27, post: 44942, member: 2270" I wish Stoker would be back, the defense improved from the first game to the last game and he had had to play a lot of inexperienced players.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

That's laughable, doubt even anyone on this board agrees with THAT comment. Try winning football games giving up an average of almost 35 points per game for three years running. And in 2015, that was against the 127th easiest schedule in FBS.

 

[LaserCoog]

It's been discussed on the conference board that the same conference schedule as last season, flipped for home and road. If true UTEP will host North Texas, FIU, USM and ODU while traveling to Rice, UTSA, FAU and LT. OOC UTEP host NMSU, Army, Houston Baptist (fcs) and travels to Texas.

Those are some REALLY bad teams. Is it possible that Kugler will have a softer schedule in 2016 that he did last season? I'm going with yes...

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

Those are some REALLY bad teams. Is it possible that Kugler will have a softer schedule in 2016 that he did last season? I'm going with yes...

FAU and FIU should be improved with a good number of returning players. USM will likely be favored to win the conference. ODU should be good with almost everyone back. LT loses some quality players so they should be down a bit. NMSU improved late in the season and has a lot of starters back.

Those are some REALLY bad teams. Is it possible that Kugler will have a softer schedule in 2016 that he did last season? I'm going with yes...

OOC will be softer with NMSU, Army and Houston Baptist all winnable and at home. NMSU will be better as they showed improvement towards the end of the season and have a lot of starters back. Army has a lot coming back as well and lost a number of very close games this year so they should be better. Road game at Texas will be tough but not as bad as the Arkansas and Texas Tech games this year. FAU, FIU, ODU, USM, Rice should all be better teams next season. So I'm going with no, not a softer schedule. Better have a winning record and a bowl trip though or that should be it for Kugler. Expecting a better team and season this year.

 

[TortugaEP]

Anyone remember we lost 2 coordinators from a bad team? Yes, I am aware that we had a lot of injuries, but to assume we are "a team to watch" is damn near laughable.
Which QB was impressive overall in leading us in multiple games? Before you throw out Leftwich, remember how many people weren't happy with him. Sure, he is gritty, but aside from screens and 5 yard passes, he brings very little to the table.
Ok so Jones will be back. How long before he get hurt carrying the ball 30 times a game? Oh wait, we have great backs behind him right?...ummm
Our defense is going to change. What makes you think it will improve immediately?

Look, I hate to piss on your optimism parade, but nothing tells me we are a team to watch...

 

[develman]

Anyone remember we lost 2 coordinators from a bad team? Yes, I am aware that we had a lot of injuries, but to assume we are "a team to watch" is damn near laughable.
Which QB was impressive overall in leading us in multiple games? Before you throw out Leftwich, remember how many people weren't happy with him. Sure, he is gritty, but aside from screens and 5 yard passes, he brings very little to the table.
Ok so Jones will be back. How long before he get hurt carrying the ball 30 times a game? Oh wait, we have great backs behind him right?...ummm
Our defense is going to change. What makes you think it will improve immediately?

Look, I hate to piss on your optimism parade, but nothing tells me we are a team to watch...

Careful you'll be labeled a realist .

 

[utep2step]

FAU and FIU should be improved with a good number of returning players. USM will likely be favored to win the conference. ODU should be good with almost everyone back. LT loses some quality players so they should be down a bit. NMSU improved late in the season and has a lot of starters back..

Just got a gut feeling NMSU will not be the same gag team UTEP has beaten up for six years.

LT? Are you kidding? Skip Holtz is the best mid major coaches in FBS. They will reload, not rebuild. Hopefully someone from the Tech program will tweet some more bulletin board material for the UTEP squad a couple days prior to the game like they did for the last game. I doubt Holtz will be as conservative for the next game.

 

[Minerforlife]

Just got a gut feeling NMSU will not be the same gag team UTEP has beaten up for six years.

LT? Are you kidding? Skip Holtz is the best mid major coaches in FBS. They will reload, not rebuild. Hopefully someone from the Tech program will tweet some more bulletin board material for the UTEP squad a couple days prior to the game like they did for the last game. I doubt Holtz will be as conservative for the next game.

La Tech loses 14 starters next year. They will be in rebuild mode.

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

La Tech loses 14 starters next year. They will be in rebuild mode.

And that includes the QB Driskel and very good RB that has been there for so long, Dixon.

 

[Firstdowndash]

If they find a QB, or one of the ones they have steps up, then I see no reason why this team does not go bowling. The key game will be NMSU. If this team beats nmsu, then they should win a minimum of 7 games. If they lose to nmsu, momentum goes a long ways at UTEPIA, and you could see a repeat 5-7 or perhaps 6-6.

The thing is, is 6-6 and getting blown out in a bowl game again, progress? In my opinion, Kugler needs to win 8 to show me something. But I'm not Stull, so perhaps to him 6 will do.

So is UTEP a team to watch in 2016? I think so. A lot of potential for a big season. Stay healthy, find a QB, run a balanced offense, and 8 games isn't that big of a stretch. Go Miners! Long live the Orange and Blue!