UTEP preview

After opening the last two seasons to great expectations, UTEP enters 2007 as a mystery team.

When the Miners launch their 90th season of football at home against New Mexico on Sept. 1, they will not only have a new quarterback under center, but a quarterback who will be making his first collegiate start as well.

Gone are record-setting signal-caller Jordan Palmer and wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr., along with 25 other seniors who were largely responsible for UTEP winning 21 games over the last three years.

Fresh faces will be prevalent on both sides of the ball in 2007. The defense, in particular, will be overhauled with only three starters coming back.

The Miners' offensive line returns virtually intact, and UTEP has a talented nucleus of returning skill players including tight ends Jamar Hunt and Jake Sears, wide receiver Joe West and running backs Donald Buckram, Marcus Thomas and Jason Williams.

The defense is expected to receive a major boost from the return of linebacker Jeremy Jones, who missed most of the 2006 season with a broken leg. Jones was a second team All-Conference USA selection in 2005, when he led the Miners with 130 tackles and 14.5 tackles for losses. UTEP also has one of the nation's top free safeties in Quintin Demps.

UTEP finished 5-7 last season. If the Miners are to contend for their third bowl bid in four years this fall, they will need to upgrade their ground game. UTEP ranked 116th out of 119 Division I-A schools last season, averaging 57.6 yards rushing per game.

Complete preview