Local Lobo Lashout: Are the UTEP Miners Walking into a Buzzsaw?
by Adrian Mac on Oct 1, 2010 10:11 AM MDT
in UTEP Miners Football
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PrintI'm already on record with my prediction (UTEP 35, New Mexico 14) but then a reader sent me the following video. If you want to understand the context of this post, you have to put on some headphones (if at work) and watch it with audio. It's a local Albuquerque news affiliates sports coverage of the upcoming UTEP vs. UNM game.
Seriously. Watch this video. In fact if you do one thing today, make it watching this video.
At first, I started laughing in somewhat of a Dr. Evil way. I mean, did you watch the video? About 45 seconds in to the video, I had already started a post titled: "Your Moment of Zen: UNM Bottom 10 Analysis FTW!!"
Then, it clicked.
We're not the only ones watching this video. The kids on the opposing sideline are living in this reality of fan disgust that has seemed to consume the Lobo football team for the past year or two and one that reached a fever pitch after the 0-4 start with an average loss of over 45 points per game. Tarean Austin and Desmond Dennis have seen that video. They know they are in the Bottom 10. They know the town sees them as a laughingstock. They know that the entire community, and possibly their administration, want their head coach booted out of town.
This is a local news stations way of covering UNM's football game this week. It has nothing to do with game plans or the opponents strengths or weaknesses. It's a manifiesto essentially titled: "How much does UNM suck this year?"
And, just when you think it's over, the news guy come along and doesn't nail in the coffin, that was done by the grizzly old guy who said "He (Locksley)_can get a job somewhere else" and the kid who said "can't wait for basketball season." But instead, the anchor burns the coffin to ashes by tossing out "Next week's game against New Mexico State should be the Pillow Fight of the Week also." Damn.
Has there ever in the history of Miner football been an opposing team with so much self-inflicted bulletin board material?
The way I see it, UNM's players will react in only one of two ways. That's it. There won't be a boring 13-3 game this week. I'm certain of it.
First, UNM could buy into the ESPN diatribes and fan fallout. They can roll over and die like their fans and most everybody else in the football world expects them to. We're talking 45-10 or something in that range.
Or, they could stand up and say they've had enough of the local be at down they've endured for what must seem like months. They know UTEP isn't Oregon or Utah. They know that if they play hard, for the full game, they can make a game of it. They know that nobody expects anything but a good old fashioned butt whoopin' this week, so they could enter this game with absolutely no pressure to perform. A desperate man is usually hungry.
In the second scenario, I could see a game where the Lobos catch UTEP off guard and grab an early lead and then do everything they can to fight off the Miner resurgence in the second half, by running the ball and hoping UTEP turns the ball over- essentially a "let's bleed them to death" type of win.
Will the Lobos play for pride this week? Is this the week they say "enough" and find a way to get a win because they know they will probably only get 1 or 2 this entire season?
It's not likely, and I'm sticking with my pick, but after watching that video it made me realize just how large the chip on UNM's shoulder could be. And, you never want to fight a desperate man with nothing to lose.
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And UNM plays NMSU next weekend.
Please make this a battle of the winless. It’d be worth watching for exactly the opposite reasons an Alabama-Oregon game would be entertaining.
(Not that I’m worried about UTEP winning this one. Jussayin’)
I think the real question is: how much to the UNM players want a new coach?
If they do, then there’s no chance of them winning this game.
Honestly- that local news report stunned me.
The coverage of the Lobos has been stunning in its tone the last few weeks I’ve been following it. That’s to be expected considering Locksley’s off-the-field shenanigans and the record, but seeing it all play out in that report made me think that UNM might be far more motivated then I previously thought. I know I would be if that’s how UTEP was being covered around town.
I read somewhere that Locksley has a $3.5 million buyout! How could UNM agree to that? They might be stuck with him but I’m sure they have a “morals clause” argument to void the buyout.
Axes Up. Miner Rush - For UTEP Miners Fans
The Lobo's
I believe a team will play for a coach who is really trying to be a coach even if the coach is not very good, however Locksley has to many issues other than coaching issues which is why I believe the team will not perform for him overall and I see us winning on SAT.
True, the issues run deeper than Locksley
And, that’s what I’ve tried to focus on this week- the nations worst scoring defense, 10.5 points per game, true frosh QB making only his second start, etc., etc. But man, those boys are taking a beating up in ABQ and I’d imagine they will eventually turn all that public bashing and use it as motivation. Or, they’ll die a quiet death….. I just don’t know what we’ll see Saturday and that’s what makes this game so interesting to me.
Axes Up. Miner Rush - For UTEP Miners Fans
The Lobos figure they can beat the Miners. If UTEP can get a nice lead early, it might convince them that if they can’t beat the lowly Miners, they really do suck, and take their hearts away. But if they hang in there, it will fuel their thinking that they can, indeed, beat the lowly Miners. Miners need to get up early and keep the cleats on their necks.
Kyyote's Den
http://kyyotesden.com/Den/index.php
The Kyyote's Howl
http://www.kyyotesden.com/The_Kyyotes_Howl/
I hear ya but.....
the preview posted by CollegeFootballNews.com echos what I believe is going to happen:
UTEP (3-1) at New Mexico (0-4) Oct. 2, 6:00 ET
Here’s The Deal … Forget for a moment that UTEP has feasted on lesser competition in the early going. For a school that hasn’t played in the postseason since 2005, the mere possibility of starting 4-1 is enough to make the players and loyal fans giddy. The Miners almost didn’t reach this point, however, needing a pair of field goals, including one at the buzzer, to get past visiting Memphis. The problems in Albuquerque show no end in sight. Worse than being just winless, New Mexico has been outscored by an average of 56-10 in the first four games. A nasty first three games appeared to be a contributing factor until the Lobos got roughed up, 45-10, by a sub par UNLV squad.
Why UTEP Might Win: The New Mexico defense has been surprisingly atrocious, allowing 11 touchdown passes and showing no ability whatsoever to get to the quarterback. It’ll be an easy day at the office for Miner QB Trevor Vittatoe, who’s been well-protected so far and has some quality hands in Kris Adams, Donovon Kemp, and Marlon McClure. It’ll also help to have star RB Donald Buckram back for his second game from injury. He was rusty a week ago, but has the talent and track record to erupt at any moment.
Why New Mexico Might Win: The way the defense is being gutted these days, the Lobo’s best chance of posting a win rests with the offense. No well-oiled machine either, at least it gets to line up opposite a UTEP D that lacks consistency or a pass rush. Behind RB Demond Dennis, who ran very well, New Mexico posted its first 100-yard game of the season, and QB Tarean Austin showed light feet after injuries pressed him into action. Yes, he’s a true freshman and raw as a passer, but if the light goes on and the motor is humming, he’s capable of doing some damage to the Miners.
What To Watch Out For: The Houston collapse aside, UTEP is playing unexpectedly well in the early going. Even without the benefit of a pass rush or injured S Braxton Amy, it’s been tough to throw on a secondary that has twice as many picks as touchdowns yielded. Corners Antwon Blake and Drew Thomas have covered better than expected, lending hope that the Miners won’t be quite the pushover they’ve been in recent seasons.
What Will Happen: UTEP is learning how to win, and not with the usual playbook. Sometimes it’ll do it with offense and sometimes with defense. In Albuquerque, the Miners won’t suffer any brain strain trying to figure out Mike Locksley’s team. They’ll plow through the defense with ease, bringing Buckram one step closer to his 2009 form.
CFN Prediction: UTEP 41 … New Mexico 13 …
Aside from the prediction, there were some pretty positive comments made by the writer.
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