Tulsa at UTEP Open Comment Thread

Back in August, all the talk concerning C-USA football was centered around Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 2012 season for the Golden Hurricane was one every C-USA squad dreams of as they went 11-3 overall, held a 7-1 conference mark, went 7-0 at home, and had a bowl win against a Big 12 team.

Add to that the fact that they nearly had three 1000 yard rushers, they started a transfer at quarterback who played decently enough to become the quarterback of the future, and had a defense that finished as the 26th best in the FBS and the future was bright in Tulsa.

Now heading into the 2nd weekend of October, the Hurricane are 1-4 and 0-1 in conference. They find themselves ranked 96th overall in the FBS in total offense, and that defense that had been carrying the team is 78th overall after a lot of turnover and changes through the off-season.

Opposite the Golden Hurricane tonight, the Miners find themselves in somewhat the same boat. While they didn't have the same success in 2012, they entered 2013 with a ton of pieces in play, a new coaching staff, and a new attitude within the program. However, after a 1-4 start, including 0-2 in conference play, things are looking bleak. Tonight, something will have to give for one of these teams.

This is a must win situation if the Miners want to have anything of a respectable season. With only two home games remaining, the Miners are in a midst of five game losing streak dating back to last season. The offense needs to have it's best game of the season, particularly in the first half where the Miner offense has been non-existent the past two games.

The Miners will have trouble stopping Watts, but can Showers get the Miners out to an early lead, and keep up if the defense again struggles early?