Weird game to cap.
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Trends slightly favor UTEP but trends do not always make good sense or cents.
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Well UTEP has a horrible defense! If I would cap this game I would take BuffaloComment -
Unless they improved on DComment -
I like Buffalo here as they have lots of experience coming back and UTEP has one of the worst defenses in College Football.Comment -
The Buffalo defense is also poor. The D Line lost their top sack man. The LBs are in horrible shape. The secondary might be OK. I took over 62.5 but I see that line is now 58.5. The weather might be poor.Comment -
Buffalo Bulls
2007 SEASON IN REVIEW:
Since Buffalo moved to the Division I-A level, the Bulls have enjoyed very little success, but the 2007 campaign was surprisingly different for coach Turner Gill's squad. The Bulls stood little chance in their season-opening meeting with Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights pummeled Buffalo in a 38-3 final.
Surprisingly, the Bulls were not phased by the terrible loss, and in its next matchup Buffalo trounced the Temple Owls, 42-7. Unfortunately, the team went right back to its losing ways, dropping three consecutive games to Penn State (45-24), Baylor (34-21) and Ball State (49-14). Coach Gill's Bulls were able to snap out of their slump the next time out as UB hammered Ohio University, 31-10. The Bulls followed that triumph with another impressive outing, defeating Toledo, 43-33. It was the first time since the 2001 campaign that Buffalo posted two straight wins.
The team's winning ways did not last long, however, as it squad dropped three of its next four games, with the lone win coming against Akron. Although the Bulls had no chance for a winning ledger, the team was able to close out the year in style, defeating Kent State in overtime, 30-23. Obviously 5-7 is not a great season, however, all five wins came against league foes, and considering the Bulls collected just eight total conference victories from 2000 to 2006, the 2007 campaign was definitely a success.
2008 ANALYSIS
OFFENSE:
After years of terrible offensive play, the Bulls finally showed signs of improvement last season, and with 10 starters back for another go the team is set to take another step forward. A great benefit for coach Gill is the return of four starting offensive linemen, including left tackle Ray Norell.
A solid offensive line will do wonders for the play of quarterback Drew Willy, who is coming off a junior campaign in which he completed a whopping 68.4 percent of his passes. The signal caller only tossed 15 TDs, but with his entire receiving corps back, Willy will likely be much more noticeable in the MAC this fall. "I've seen Drew Willy continue to do some good things," said coach Gill. "He is throwing the ball really well so far in camp. He and the receivers are on the same page on things. We are very, very pleased with him."
Ernest Jackson and Naaman Roosevelt were Willy's top two targets in '07, as Roosevelt finished with team-highs in receptions (63) and yardage (766), while Jackson paced the team with six TDs. Both players, along with WR Brett Hamlin, will give Willy plenty of options down the field.
On the ground, the team will look to get the ball into the hands of James Starks early and often. Starks is a bruising back with surprising speed, and he should put forth another impressive campaign which should include a 1,000- yard season and double-digit touchdowns.
DEFENSE:
The 2007 season saw the Bulls exposed defensively, especially through the air, as the team surrendered an average of 231 passing ypg. Buffalo should show drastic improvement in the defensive backfield this year as Davonte Shannon is coming off a tremendous first year for Buffalo when he collected a team-best 123 tackles. Now with some valuable experience under his belt, Shannon should be even tougher in 2008. Fellow safety Mike Newton led the squad with four interceptions last year.
Up front is also a big concern for coach Gill, especially considering teams pounded Buffalo for 175 rushing ypg in '07. For the Bulls to make positive strides against the run, the team will need Dane Robinson and Ronald Hilaire to quickly improve in the middle of the line. Another problem area lies in the middle of the defense, as the Bulls have a severe lack of depth and experience at linebacker. David Hubbard is the lone returning starter, but the senior only finished with 23 stops, and did not record sack or TFL last season. Hubbard will definitely have to increase those numbers significantly for the UB defense to succeed.
"I see that we have talent, and thats good to see," said Gill. "We have some numbers but its going to be a work in progress as we go along, but I feel very good about it because we have speed and we have some physical players."
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The kicking game for the Bulls should actually be much more effective in 2008 as A.J. Principe did a commendable job in his first year last season, connecting on a perfect 13-of-13 FGs inside the 40-yard line. However, his struggles were evident from long distance, as the kicker was just 2-of-7 outside 40 yards. Naaman Roosevelt took care of both punt and kick returns last year, and considering how well he did it is likely the receiver will continue in that role.
OUTLOOK:
The Bulls should actually have a potent offense this season, but the main problem rests on the shoulders of the defense. If the team can't improve defensively, then it will surely suffer another losing campaign. In addition to questions about the defense's ability to stop the opposition, the Bulls also have a tough opening to the season as they will have to battle UTEP, then travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers. Buffalo also has Missouri on the docket, and will also have to go on the road to take on Central Michigan and Bowling Green. As mentioned earlier, the key to the team's success, or lack thereof, will be the improvement of the defense.
By John Agovino, Associate College Football EdComment -
Texas-El Paso Miners
2007 SEASON IN REVIEW:
The Miners posted back-to-back eight-win seasons in head coach Mike Price's first two years at the helm of the program, but Texas-El Paso has been unable to build off of that success, failing to post a winning campaign in each of the past two seasons.
In what has become the norm under Price, the Miners started off 2007 with a strong push before fading away in the second half. Fading away is an understatement, as UTEP dropped its last six games of the season following a 4-2 start. As a matter of fact, the Miners were 2-0 in league play, including a 48-47 win over eventual West Division champion Tulsa, before the wheels came off and the team stumbled to a 2-6 finish within the league. October pretty much defined the team's season, as UTEP dropped all three games in the month and by a total of just 14 points. The Miners never full recovered from those narrow setbacks and were easily handled in the final three games of the campaign.
2008 ANALYSIS
OFFENSE:
The Miners were successful on the offensive side of the ball and they figure to be even more prolific now that quarterback Trevor Vittatoe has a year of experience under his belt. The 6-2, 215-pound sophomore was simply sensational in his debut last season, breaking UTEP freshman records with 3,101 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. Vittatoe made some good decisions last season, throwing only seven interceptions, but he did lack some accuracy and that is an area he expects to improve on in 2008.
"The one thing that I want to improve this year is my accuracy. I completed only 55 percent of my passes [in 2007] and that number should be a lot higher. I'm stressing getting the ball where it needs to be and not missing big plays. If you miss a big play, it can turn the whole game around."
Vittatoe and the rest of the UTEP program will certainly benefit from the return of star wideout Jeff Moturi, who emerged last season and earned all- league honors. The 6-0, 180-pound Moturi led the Miners with 65 receptions for 891 yards and 13 touchdowns and he was a model of consistency, catching a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive games.
In the backfield, the Miners must replace 1,000-yard rusher Marcus Thomas, who left for the NFL, but they are confident that the duo of senior Terrell Jackson and sophomore Donald Buckram can get the job done. The 5-11, 195-pound Jackson rushed for 202 yard as a backup last season and with an increase in touches, he will finally have the chance to showcase his speed and talent on a consistent basis. As for the 5-10, 190-pound Buckram, he is lightning fast and he is a solid pass catcher that can hit a home run with every touch. The offensive line welcomes back three starters and that should help the ground game be successful in 2008.
DEFENSE:
The Miners were exploited on the defensive side of the ball in 2007, giving up at least 45 points on six difference occasions, so it was to no surprise when Price hired a new coordinator to turn things around. Osia Lewis is now the man in charge of running the defense and he is installing a 3-3-5 set to help sure up a secondary that surrendered over 300 passing ypg last season.
"I think this scheme is exactly what we needed because it's easy to learn and we have the athletes to run it," said UTEP linebacker Adam Vincent of the new defensive set. "Last year's scheme was more heads-up and this year's is more flying around, coming from every angle and trying to confuse the offense. It's a high-risk, high-reward defense. It's going to put a lot of excitement into the game."
The Miners were inexperienced last season along the line and it showed, allowing 203 rushing ypg, but this group should only be better with a year of playing time under their belts. Sophomore end Robert Soleyjacks started 12 games as a freshman last year, notching 16 tackles, and he should only get better in his second run through.
The linebacker corps should also be improved with the new scheme, and senior Adam Vincent is the best of the bunch. The 6-3, 240-pound Vincent recorded 75 tackles a year ago and he should contend for all-league honors in 2008.
The secondary will be the most impacted area in the new 3-3-5 scheme and that is a good thing for a unit that was torched last season. Unfortunately, the team will be without the services of star Braxton Amy, who led the team with 112 tackles last season, but suffered an ACL tear in the spring. Filling his shoes won't be easy, although the program is excited about the future of junior Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith. The 6-2, 205-pound safety is coming off a breakthrough campaign, racking up 93 tackles in 2007, and with Amy lost for the season, he will be a crucial part of the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
UTEP certainly won't have to worry about kicking field goals this season, as all-league performer Jose Martinez returns. The juco transfer was sensational in his first season with the Miners, converting 17-of-20 field goal attempts, including a booming 57-yard shot against Houston. The punting game isn't as set, as sophomore Kyle Petersen and Greg Hiett are expected to compete for the starting job.
OUTLOOK:
The Miners have one of the top vertical duos in the league in Vittatoe and Moturi and that should keep them competitive throughout the season. Much of the team's success though, will be determined by the defense, which is using a new scheme in order to improve on last year's failures. UTEP faces a tough league schedule, with all of its big games coming on the road, so winning a conference title could be difficult. On the other hand, some soft non-conference opponents should help the program compete for a bowl for the first time since 2005.
By Ralph Lauro, Associate College Football Editor
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I'm on Buffalo and Temple in the first week of college football, both laying points. What the hell is this world coming to?Comment -
i like Buffalo, solid little program.Comment
