IFTIT: Tennessee Vols vs. UTEP Miners Football Preview 2024
It's Senior Day in Tennessee
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Tennessee (#11 CFP, 8-2, 5-2 SEC) took a tough loss in Athens, falling 17-31 against the Bulldogs. The Vols lost control of their postseason destiny and now sit firmly on the bubble hoping for help to make the expanded playoff field in December.
UTEP (NR, 2-8, 2-5 CUSA) picked up their second win of the season, a 43-35 2OT win against FBS newcomer Kennesaw State. It was just the Miners’ second win of the year, and it came against the FBS’ worst team, but it was also UTEP’s second win in their last four games. So maybe things are looking up down on the Rio Grande.
Previously on Vols vs. Miners
Tennessee beat UTEP 24-0 in September of 2018. It was UT’s third win against the Miners in the three tries, having also won in 1990 (56-0) and 1986 (26-16).
That’s not the relevant history here, though. You might remember UTEP coach Scotty Walden from last year’s game against Austin Peay, which Tennessee won in an uncomfortable 30-13 fashion. Walden stood out in the game for his antics on the sideline and his team’s chippy play. Depending on your vantage point, you might’ve interpreted Walden’s actions as inspiring or obnoxious, and his team’s play as heroic or dirty. Expect more of the same on Saturday.
Five Factors & Personnel Preview
Tennessee Offense vs. UTEP Defense
After a frustrating second half in Athens, UT will try to replicate the success they had in the early season against a team that looks a lot more like Kent State and Chattanooga than the SEC gauntlet of the last several weeks. The Miner’s “Orange Swarm Defense”—and that is what Scotty Walden actually calls his defense and how they are listed in the UTEP media guide—has put up some pretty good analytic numbers all things considered. They hold opponents to a fairly low success rate and points per opportunity while having a decent havoc rate as well. However, it should be noted that UTEP has put those numbers up against a very soft slate of offenses; the Miners have faced the fifth-weakest collection of offenses according to Brian Fremeau’s ratings at bcftoys.com
Correction in the UTEP 2-Deep: NT Sione Tonga’uiha wears jersey #3, signifying he is the UTEP “Trench Warrior.” Tonga’uiha has 3.5 TFLs this year, with 3 sacks.
Most of UTEP’s havoc comes from the front seven, with 70 TFLs and 23 sacks total.
Key Players:
“Spur” #6 Kory Chapman (leads team with 11 TFL and 3 sacks, along with 1 INT this season.)
DE #0 Maurice Westmoreland (4.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries)
MLB #41 Dorian Hopkins (8 TFL, 2 INT)
CB #14 Amir Boyd-Matthews (2 INT, 3 PBU)
Tennessee Defense vs. UTEP Offense
When I said earlier that this UTEP team looks like Kent State or Chattanooga it wasn’t a cheap shot at the Miners, it was the reality of their roster. A solid third of the players in the Miner two-deep came with Walden from Austin Peay, including starters at QB, RB, 3 WRS, and the left side of the OL. Just like the defense, the UTEP offense has their own moniker: the “Blue Blaze Offense.” Yes, that’s what they’re called in the media guide (just wait until I tell you what they call the special teams).
QB #9 Skyler Locklear completed 84% of his passes for 327 yards and 4 TDs last week against Kennesaw State.
WR #6 Kenny Odom is 2nd in Conference USA with seven receiving TDs and 3rd in CUSA with 17.8 YPC. Odom leads CUSA with six 40+ yard plays and three 60+ yard plays.
WR #1 Trey Goodman had a 62-yard punt return against Kennesaw State. Goodman has averaged 19.2 yards per return in the last two games.
RB #4 Jevon Jackson leads UTEP with 650 yards rushing (4.1 YPC).
Prediction
There’s an opportunity for Tennessee to blow off a lot of steam after the frustration of last week. Although they have shown improvement over the course of the season, going from losing to FCS Southern Utah in week 2 to winning two of their last four games, UTEP is not good. Outside of a few defensive stats, the Miners rank in the bottom fifth of just about every statistical category or metric you can find. They probably aren’t quite as bad as Kent State, but they are not far ahead.
There’s also the chance that this game looks something like the Austin Peay game from last season. Tennessee held just a 13-6 lead at halftime in a game that was delayed by weather. The Vols pulled away in the second half, but the Govs were pesky all afternoon. Now Scotty Walden is back with many of the same players from that APSU teams. UTEP has gone from losing their first six games by an average of 19 points, they have won two of their last four, and the two losses were by a total of seven points. They’re not good, but they are improved. There’s also the emotion of Senior Day that always makes the final home game a little unpredictable.
Tennessee will win the game, that’s certain. By how much is the question. Josh Heupel has been known to hold a grudge, and no doubt the Austin Peay game has been in the back of coach’s mind this week. I’m certain Tennessee will score as many points as possible, and against this defense, a bunch of points are possible. Tennessee 59, UTEP 13.
Extraneous
Scotty Walden’s program is gimmick after gimmick. The media notes are full of slogans and hashtags. The offense isn’t the “offense”, it’s the Blue Blaze; the defense is the Orange Swarm. These aren’t organic nicknames, they’re monikers the coach created. They call the special teams WEFENSE. I’m guessing that’s WE-FENSE as in WE all have to pitch in and make the team better, but maybe it’s because you win with special teams so it’s W-EFENSE? Either way it’s stupid. Assistant coach Joe Pappalardo’s title is “Wefense Coordinator.” I wish I was making that up.
Sorry to be a hater, but you know exactly who all the slogans and gimmicks remind you of. I don’t think I have to say it. But with the visitor’s locker room being in the south endzone where construction is going on, somebody keep an eye on the bricks.