College football fans everywhere got their first glimpse of the 2016 season last weekend, and the Texas Longhorns faithful certainly got quite a show. An epic comeback, an emerging young star at quarterback — this victory over Notre Dame had it all. And the thrilling start also has a lot of people thinking this might only be the beginning for Texas this season. This week, the team is looking to go 2-0 against the UTEP Miners.
UTEP also had a nice showing in its season opener on September 3rd. Far less dramatic of course, but it was a solid win. Junior tailback Aaron Jones had a career day and the defense showed some toughness in fending off a second-half comeback attempt by New México State. The confidence level should also be high for the Miners as well and that’s a good thing because it’s probably going to take a miracle for the Conference USA team to even have a shot.
This contest in Week 2 of the regular season will go down on Saturday, September 10th, 2016 at 7 p.m. ET at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
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Odds Analysis
There is no line set on this game yet.
Key Player
Although Jones will probably be the player to watch in every other game UTEP plays this season, all eyes will be on Texas quarterback Shane Buechele this week. The 18-year-old true freshman was catapulted into the national spotlight last week in the best game of one of the best opening college football weekends in recent history.
On paper, his statistics were impressive — he was 16-of-26 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also added a touchdown on the ground and 33 rushing yards on five carries in his college debut.
But, it’s more than that. Buechele, the first true freshman to earn the starting quarterback job at Texas in more than 70 years, demanded the respect of his team in a role where a player will not succeed without it. He made big throws all night and he was the brightest star on an offense that’s loaded.
Matchup to Watch
The Miners will try to run the ball behind Jones, and it’s something the Longhorns need to slow down. Texas has the huge talent advantage in this one, and it seems like the only way this one remains close is if UTEP can effectively use the ground game.
Moving the chains and keeping the ball away from the Longhorns’ explosive offense is the best plan of action. Texas allowed 206 yards on the ground to Notre Dame in last week’s win.
Free ATS Pick
The Texas and Notre Dame offenses lit up the scoreboard last week. After a back-and-forth night, Texas scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 19-yard touchdown run by D'Onta Foreman with less than two minutes left in regulation, but the extra-point attempt was blocked and Notre Dame’s Shaun Crawford scooped it up and ran the length of the field to tie things back up.
The teams each scored again in the first overtime, but the Longhorns defense was able to hold the Fighting Irish to just a field goal in the next overtime. Backup quarterback Tyrone Swoopes ran the winning touchdown in from six yards out.
Texas racked up 517 yards in the victory. Foreman finished with 24 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown and Swoopes had three touchdowns on the night. It could be a precursor of what’s to come.
UTEP defeated New México State in its season opener at home last weekend, 38-22. Jones had an excellent season debut, carrying the ball 31 times for 249 yards with two touchdowns on the ground.
Quarterback Zack Greenlee threw three touchdowns in the victory and finished with 229 yards passing. The Miners had a 24-3 lead at halftime, before New México State’s offense tried making a game of it in the second half. But the comeback attempt fell short.
While UTEP is off to a nice start, Texas should make quick work of it in this one and cruise to the win.
College Football Odds: Texas 41, UTEP 17
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