Conference USA vs. SEC: UTEP vs Arkansas Game Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The 2015 college football season is finally here leading to high expectations for fans and programs across the nation. When the season kickoffs of in Fayetteville on Saturday, two very similar teams will be lining up against one another ready to set a tone for the remaining 11 games on the docket.

On paper the UTEP Miners and Arkansas Razorbacks draw a lot of similarities. Both programs are helmed by former linemen with an importance put on play up front, both teams are trending upwards, and both teams will rely heavily on the run. The big question is which team will do it better?

UTEP

The Miners were 7-6 last season bouncing back from a 2-10 record in 2013 under first-year head coach Sean Kugler. Kugler, a former NFL offensive lineman with Pittsburgh and Buffalo, set a tone up front on offense highlighting running back Aaron Jones. The junior tailback is an every down back compiling an impressive stat line of 1,321 yards rushing with 11 scores and 30 receptions for 293 yards with three touchdowns.

One of the strengths of UTEP’s 2015 squad is the return of four starters on the offensive line; LT Jerome Daniels, LG Will Hernandez, OC Eric Lee, and RG Derek Elmendorff. One of the unknowns is play under center. Sophomore quarterback Mack Leftwich will get the start after redshirting in 2014. In 2013 Leftwich started four games completing 44-of-75 for 458 yards with two touchdowns against two picks.

When Leftwich drops back to pass he will have the Miners’ returning receiver from last season to target in senior Autrey Golden. In 2014, Golden pulled down 31 passes for 263 yards with two scores with Jameill Showers in the pocket.

The Miners were an improved team on defense last season finishing with the No. 38 unit in the nation built upon a pass defense that allowed 191 yards per game. The strength of this year’s team is the return of four starters up front in DE Nick Usher, DT Gino Bresolin, DE Roy Robertson-Harris, and WLB Alvin Jones. Robertson-Harris and Jones are the key guys to watch for in the front six.

Defensive coordinator Scott Stoker uses a 4-2-5 defense focused on causing chaos and confusion behind a constantly blitzing unit. The confusion worked at times creating 21 turnovers but also left holes in the defense with opposing offenses running for an average of 177 yards per game.

Adding to the frustration of Miners’ fans is the loss of returning starting safeties Devin Cockrell and Ishmael Harrison. Cockrell had a season ending knee injury and Harrison has a torn quadriceps muscle. The duo accounts for 37 combined starts taken off the field.

Arkansas

The Razorbacks are also coming off a 7-6 campaign but unlike UTEP ended the season beating Texas 31-7 in the Texas Bowl while the Miners lost 21-6 to Utah State in the New Mexico Bowl. Based off last year’s overall performance, Arkansas enters the 2015 with their first preseason ranking since the 2012 season with the AP slotting the Hogs at No. 18.

Arkansas will feature 1,100-yard rusher Alex Collins this season after a season ending foot injury to senior running back Jonathan Williams during fall camp. Collins is a hardnosed runner who can run between the tackles against any team in the country. Opening up running lanes for Collins will be one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Without a doubt the strength of this Arkansas team are the Hogs up front with four of five starters returning. The line is highlighted by LT Denver Kirkland, RT Dan Skipper, LG Sebastian Tretola, and OC Mitch Smothers. Sophomore Frank Ragnow received valuable playing time as a true freshman as a backup center last season making his transition onto the first-team unit a smooth one.

Not since 2012 when Tyler Wilson was leading the Razorbacks’ offense has there been as much hope for Arkansas’ passing attack to be the difference maker in winning big games. Senior Brandon Allen is now a third-year starter and finally has a nice set of receivers on the outside that has the potential to make plays. The group is highlighted by junior tight end Hunter Henry, a potential All-American, and leading returning receiver Keon Hatcher. Players to watch for are Drew Morgan, Jared Cornelius, and junior college transfer Dominique Reed.

The Hogs defense was the 10th best unit in the country by the end of last season. The top four playmakers are off to the NFL but six starters return with DT Taiwan Johnson, DE JaMichael Winston, LB Brooks Ellis, CB D.J. Dean, SS Rohan Gaines, and CB Jared Collins leading the pack. Gaines is the only senior in the group meaning the Arkansas defense is young, potentially mistake prone, but still very talented.

Key Matchups

Arkansas’ run defense verses UTEP’s running attack

Aaron Jones was held below 100 yards in UTEP’s bowl game against Utah State. If the Hogs are to control this game Jones’ productivity will have to be limited forcing Leftwich to try to beat Arkansas with his arm.

UTEP’s run defense verses Arkansas’ running attack

For Razorback Nation, this will be the same storyline as long a head coach Bret Bielema is in Fayetteville. Can the opposing defense stop Arkansas’ running attack?

The passing attack for both teams

Arkansas has some new toys in the passing game and a new offensive coordinator in Dan Enos. Chances are the Razorbacks will not open up too much of the offense against UTEP with Texas Tech in Week 3 and Texas A&M in Week 4 but laying down a track forward in the passing game is a must.

The same goes for UTEP. Leftwich has Golden to pass to but must find a complement to the senior receiver.

Prediction

Both squads are young and both coaches are in a rebuilding mode. Arkansas has too much talent on offense for most Division-I teams to contend with this season making this game a very tough opener for the Miners.

Look for Bielema to get his first-teams in a rhythm with the hopes of a comfortable lead by halftime. Getting out healthy is more important that a 40-point win.

Arkansas will kick the tires on some redshirt and true freshman against UTEP to see what they can do and how they might be able to contribute the rest of the season; get your roster out to look up the numbers of all the underclassmen taking the field. How many quarterbacks get snaps will be an interesting sub-plot storyline.

Final Score

Arkansas 48 – 14 UTEP

The Razorbacks have the potential to contend for the SEC West title this season. UTEP may contend for a Conference USA West title but the disparity in talent certainly favors Arkansas. If the Razorbacks control the clock and play clean football the Miners will have a hard time stopping this offense.

Game Info

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Place: Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Network: ESPNU

Photo credit: usatoday.com; No. 10 Brandon Allen will lead the Razorbacks for a third season in 2015.