There weren’t too many bright spots for UTEP last season.
The Miners were 3-9 overall and 2-6 in Conference USA play. They lost a few close games, but overall weren’t consistent enough to compete for a bowl bid.
UTEP hopes things turn around after an offseason coaching change. Scotty Walden is now the head coach of the program after previously leading Austin Peay.
UTEP hopes to be back above .500 and competing in bowl games in the near future.
UTEP Football’s Conference USA Title Odds
UTEP’s odds to win Conference USA are +6000, via BetMGM.
UTEP Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
UTEP’s win total Over/Under is 4, with Under 4 at +105 and Over 4 at -130.
UTEP Football’s 2024 Schedule
8/31 @ Nebraska
9/7 vs. Southern Utah
9/14 @ Liberty
9/21 @ Colorado State
10/3 vs. Sam Houston
10/10 @ Western Kentucky
10/16 vs. FIU
10/22 @ Louisiana Tech
11/2 vs. Middle Tennessee
11/9 vs. Kennesaw State
11/23 @ Tennessee
11/30 @ New Mexico State
Bold indicates Conference USA contests
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Key UTEP Football Returners
2023 All-Conference USA 1st Team
DE Maurice Westmoreland
UTEP Football To Rely On Newcomers
As exciting as the new era might be for UTEP, the Miners might need some time to coalesce as the season goes on. A good portion of the team transferred to UTEP this offseason.
UTEP’s transfer class is ranked third in CUSA, per 247Sports. Several of those players are from Austin Peay, and the Miners added some former Power Four players as well.
At quarterback, Cade McConnell is back after leading the team with 1,437 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions on a 53.5% completion rate. But others, like former Austin Peay signal caller Skyler Locklear, could compete for the job as well.
UTEP’s two leading rushers in 2023, Deion Hankins and Torrance Burgess Jr., both transferred to Texas State this offseason. Jevon Jackson, a former FCS All-American while at Austin Peay, and former TCU running back Corey Wren could be in the mix for work out of the backfield.
UTEP’s leading receiver in 2023, Kelly Akharaiyi, is also gone after transferring to Mississippi State. In fact, UTEP’s top four receivers from last year are no longer on the team.
But Austin Peay transfers Trey Goodman – a former All-United Athletic Conference first teamer – Kenny Odom, Ashton Nickelberry, and Kam Thomas as well as Eastern Kentucky transfer Jaden Smith could see a good number of targets.
UTEP was solid defensively last year, allowing 386.9 yards per game which was the third-fewest in CUSA. But the Miners also lost some talent on that side of the ball, like Tyrice Knight who led the team with 140 tackles but is now in the NFL.
The Miners do still have some playmakers on defense. Maurice Westmoreland tied for second in Conference USA with 7.5 sacks and tied for fifth with 10.5 tackles for loss while contributing 37 total tackles. Defensive back Josiah Allen is UTEP’s leading returning tackler after recording 41 tackles and five pass breakups in 2023.
2024 UTEP Football Season Prediction
I predict UTEP won’t win Conference USA but will win at least five games.
I don’t expect the Miners to have a winning record this year. However, I do think they’re capable of making some noise in CUSA play and maybe even reaching a bowl game.
I don’t foresee UTEP beating Nebraska, Liberty, Colorado State, Western Kentucky, or Tennessee. But I believe the Miners have a shot to win every other game on their schedule.
If I were to specifically point to five winnable games for UTEP, I would look to Sam Houston, FIU, Middle Tennessee, and Kennesaw State – which are all home CUSA games for UTEP – as well as New Mexico State to end the season. But I also don’t rule out UTEP beating Louisiana Tech, which would give the Miners six wins and bowl eligibility. That would be a major feat in the first season of Walden’s tenure as head coach.
