Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
COACH: Mike Price — At UTEP: 45-52, 8 years
OVERALL: 174-174, 30 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Aaron Price
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Andre Patterson
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2000, WAC
LAST BOWL: 2005, GMAC
RETURNING STARTERS: 13; 7 offense, 4 defense, kicker, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Nick Lamaison, RB Nathan Jeffery, WR Mike Edwards, C Eloy Atkinson, DT Germard Reed, S DeShawn Grayson, P Ian Campbell
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Lamaison showed he could be a productive quarterback in this system. He has four returning linemen in front of him and plenty of weapons to throw to, namely Edwards. LB Jamie Irving’s return from a shoulder injury gives the defense its best player; Campbell is a Ray Guy Award candidate.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: UTEP doesn’t have depth, a proven running back or a schedule that is conducive to shaking off six consecutive losing seasons. The Miners may have four returning starters on the offensive line, but four of the five projected starters up front sat out of spring drills after injuries ruined the unit in 2011.
