UTEP @ Marshall

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this fall to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA football coverage. Today, our UTEP Correspondent Robert Robles gives you a preview of the UTEP Miners visit to Huntington, WV to face Marshall on November 18th.

UTEP @ Marshall General Overview

The Thundering Herd's biggest concern, understandably, coming into this game is Johnny Lee Higgins, or “Johnny Lee Dangerous” as some call him. Higgins is not the only playmaker that will be on the field in Huntington, West Virginia come Saturday, as there will be at least two other significant players in Miner Quarterback Jordan Palmer and Herd Running Back Ahmad Bradshaw.

“He’s got one of the best stiff arms that I’ve ever seen,” said Coach Mike Price, clearly being concerned with the ability of this young running back from Bluefield, Virginia. Coming into the game, Bradshaw is averaging 115.2 rushing yards per game, even though against East Carolina he rushed for only 26 yards on 10 attempts.

UTEP Offense vs. Marshall Defense

Traditionally a very good defensive group, Coach Snyder and the Herd have been struggling somewhat on the defensive side of the ball. Marshall's defense is giving up a whopping total of 392.9 yards per game to opponents, 143 rushing and 249.9 ppg (passing per game). Stats such as these may be misleading due to the prolific rushing offense of West Virginia who ran for 312 yards against Marshall. However, Marshall yielded 269 passing yards to D1-AA Hofstra at home.

This seems to be very good news for the high-powered UTEP offense led by seniors Higgins and Palmer, who are averaging 296.2 yards passing per game. The passing game will more than likely have to pull the offense throughout the game due to a scanty running game that only produces 67.9 yards rushing per game.

UTEP seems to have found what it was looking for in their offense and are rolling with huge numbers this season. Marshall, for some reason, can’t seem to find its consistency on the defensive side of the ball. UTEP has a huge advantage.

Marshall Offense vs. UTEP Defense

Currently, UTEP is leading Conference USA in takeaways at 23, 14 interceptions and 9 recovered fumbles. Quentin Demps currently has 7 interceptions, which ranks 4th in the nation. The Miners defense has had its own share of trying to find itself on the defensive side of the ball, especially due to the loss of starting Outside Linebacker Jeremy Jones after the second game of the season with a broken leg.

UTEP yields 396.9 yards per game; 141.2 yards rushing per game and 255.7 yards passing per game. Both defenses seem to be equal on yardage given up, but the takeaway margin belongs to the Miners.

Marshall’s offense is not near as prolific as the UTEP offense, but nevertheless it is an efficient one led behind Bradshaw. They average a very considerable 159.6 yards rushing and 198.3 yards passing per game, totaling at 357.9 yards per game.

If the Herd can get the running game going, the advantage goes to them. However, if UTEP is able to stop the running game, such was the case at East Carolina, and force the Herd quarterback to pass, advantage goes to UTEP with its ability to make interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS

UTEP obviously has one of the nation’s best weapons with Higgins, who has returned two punts for touchdowns, and Quentin Demps who returned a kickoff for a touchdown earlier in the season. UTEP on kick-returns averages 18.2 yards a return and 26.3 on punts.

Another weapon UTEP has on special teams is Groza considered Reagan Schneider, who is 30-of-33 on extra points and 14-of-16 in field goals on the season.

Marshall on special teams, in all honesty, is average at best. Herd kicker Anthony Binswanger is struggling somewhat, is going 5-12 on field goals and 30-32 on extra points.

Marshall is averaging 19.7 yards on kick returns and 13.2 on punt returns.

UTEP seems to have the advantage on special teams as well.

Prediction

UTEP finds the offense early and strikes both early and often. Marsall attempts to play catch-up for most of the game and is unable to due to lack of efficiency in the passing game and turnovers.

UTEP - 38
Marshall - 27