Staff Predictions - UTEP @Texas

[HornSports Staff]

Chris Flanagan

Okay, now that you have relived Swoopes' epic TD run and argued ad nauseam about whether the Aggies or the Longhorns had a better Week 1 win, its time to get back to business.

UTEP is, well, not good. However, on any given Saturday, any team can beat anyone. That doesn't mean I am going with the upset, but rather that the game will be closer than anticipated. Texas opens as 28 point favorites so I will go under with this pick but Texas wins comfortably and heads to Berkeley in the Battle of the Public Ivys.

Score Prediction: Texas 48 UTEP 28

Daniel Seahorn

Coming off the big double overtime victory over Notre Dame, you always have to beware of the hangover effect for games like these. Texas is far and away more talented than UTEP, but they need to come out early and play like it and not get off to a slow start and let UTEP get confident.

If Texas gets off to a fast start and hits the Miners repeatedly in the mouth, I think this game becomes a blow out early on and allows the coaches to get the younger players some valuable playing time before heading out to Cal next week. Expect the Miners to lean heavily on their running game and running back Aaron Jones, so executing run fits and slowing him down will priority number one. Texas held Notre Dame's leading rusher to 88 yards this past weekend, so it will be a nice test once again.

I am predicting that Charlie Strong gets his troops refocused for the Miners and puts away the game early.

Score Prediction: Texas 52 UTEP 13

Taylor Smith

Texas will take care of business like expected against UTEP this weekend. The Longhorns of the past would play to the level of their competition, meaning not stomp on opponents like UTEP. But, this team is different, and Sterlin Gilbert will run the same up-tempo offense like he did against Notre Dame, quick snaps with both quarterbacks seeing action on the field. The offense will score early and often. D’Onta Foreman will produce again, but we will see a more yards and a touchdown from Chris Warren this week. Jerrod Heard will even pick up his first receiving touchdown of the season. The defense will make stops and cause two turnovers – fumbles or interceptions – including taking one to the house for six points. Texas will be riding the high from the Notre Dame win and prove why the deserved the No. 11 spot in the AP polls.

Score Prediction: Texas 58 UTEP 21

Jeff Cooperstein

Going into week 2 against UTEP, I am looking for a few things from the Longhorns.

• Defense - I want to see the defense make some plays and force some turnovers. They got to the quarterback some in the week one victory against Notre Dame, but couldn’t apply consistent pressure. Against a lesser opponent like UTEP, Texas should be able to assert their dominance early and often in the trenches, making things happen. I would also like to see them get two or three turnovers, and showcase the playmaking ability of the linebackers and the secondary. Giving Buechele and co. short fields to work with will make life on the true freshman much easier going forward.
• Offense- The offense looked better than anyone imagined against Notre Dame, scoring 50 points, and posting 400 plus yards of offense against the Irish. Against UTEP, the main thing I want to see is what freshman receivers Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay can do with the ball in their hands. Both played sparingly, and neither caught a pass last Sunday. This should be a game where Texas can show off the depth they have on offense, with their two prized recruits at receiver showing us what they can do.

UTEP’s stellar running back Aaron Jones will have some flashes against the Texas defense, allowing the Miners to move down the field and put a few scores on the board. In the end, The talent level of Texas will be too much for the Miners to handle, and Texas will get to make any adjustments or tweaks needed going into next week against the Cal Golden Bears.

Score Prediction: Texas 52 UTEP 21

Mike Roach

I think there is some danger of Texas coming out flat in this game. After a big win over Notre Dame in week 1, they could be overlooking a pretty salty UTEP team. The Miners have a fantastic running back in Aaron Jones who runs in a power offense behind a huge offensive line. He’s going to make some yards and probably score a few times. UTEP will have to prove that their backup quarterback can be a threat passing so that they don’t see loaded boxes all day. On offense I think the Longhorns will rely on the running game and overwhelm the outmatched Miners. Expect John Burt to get deep for a score at least once. Texas pulls away late.

Score Prediction: Texas 47 UTEP 17

Aaron Carrara

After an emotional upset over a ranked team, there is always concern over how a team will fare in the next game. Texas is reeling after the big win over Notre Dame and UTEP did a pretty good number offensively, in the win over New Mexico State last weekend. Texas needs to limit UTEP RB Aaron Jones' rushing yardage to truly dominate in this game. The coaching staff has the team mentally prepared for the Miners and fans should expect to see an explosive offensive performance on the Texas side. UTEP will score a couple of touchdowns and keep the Longhorns on their toes early on, but Texas pulls away in the second half. Expect big things from the special teams guys in this contest as well as a defensive score for a TD. The Longhorns sail to 2-0 for the first time since 2012.

Score Prediction: Texas 58 UTEP 17

Ryan Bridges

This was never a game that worried me, but now it's a game I'm looking forward to because of the chance to see freshmen play and to see how the team responds to its first taste of massive success. I'm most excited to see Kyle Porter because I have questions about D'Onta Foreman's ability to carry it 20+ times every week, and Chris Warren does not look like a guy who can replicate what Foreman does. The offensive line had trouble last week with stunts, and the only thing I know about UTEP's defense is that they run a 3-4, so hopefully the O-line will get a nice easy quiz there. I wouldn't mind seeing Tyrone Swoopes or even Matthew Merrick get some work in the regular offense; Shane Buechele answered nearly every question I had about a freshman's ability to execute the offense already, so let's keep him healthy. And put Devin Duvernay out there, dang it! On defense I thought the run fits were much improved over last season, but that was with the starting group of linebackers. We'll give up some runs because of mistakes when the backups are in, but that's how they learn (or don't, and then they get passed up on the depth chart). Let's see who among the freshman defensive tackles can make disruptive plays, get Brandon Jones some work and get to 2-0. Texas wins, 41-14.

Score Prediction: Texas 41 UTEP 14

 

[Duke C #11]

Chris and Ryan are a bit cautious IMO, but that is fine. One game does not establish any sort of pattern. If UT is undefeated after OU, a little strutting may be okay,

 

[tejasrulz]

Ryan was pretty dang close. Good job sir!

 

[Chris Flanagan]

Chris and Ryan are a bit cautious IMO, but that is fine. One game does not establish any sort of pattern. If UT is undefeated after OU, a little strutting may be okay,

I sip the Kool-aid, I don't chug it.