Week 13
University of Texas at El Paso Miners @
University of Central Florida Knights
Bright House Networks Stadium – Orlando, FL
Capacity: 45,312
Kickoff: 2:00 pm ET
Line (As of 11/20) : UCF -19
Television: Not Televised
Radio: AM 740 (Orlando), 1350 (Cocoa & Dade City), 1340 (Daytona) 1240 (Melbourne)
UCF Record: 8-3 (6-1), last win against SMU. Last loss against USF.
Opponents Record: 4-7 (2-5), last win against Tulsa. Last loss against Southern Miss.
Series Record: First meeting of the two teams.
UCF Depth Chart:Click Here To See
UTEP Depth Chart:When I find one I will post.

Analysis by: punk0mi of the ucflj community.

It almost over…
And that should make any college football fan almost shed a tear. This is the last game of the regular season, and boy oh boy what a season it has been.

I honestly believe we have witnessed one of the most impressive seasons of UCF football ever played. There is quite a bit on this line for this weekend’s game. UCF has the opportunity to solidify their place and win the C-USA East division title and play for the C-USA Championship. Also a win this weekend provides UCF the opportunity to host the C-USA Championship game for the second time in just three years. Not to shabby! So what is going on in the C-USA West? Who is going to win the West? Who could UCF possibly be playing against in the Championship? Here is the deal:

Currently Houston is in first place sitting 6-2 in conference. Tulsa is sitting at second at 5-2. Houston is done with their conference schedule and are playing an OOC this weekend. However, Tulsa is playing a conference match against Rice this weekend, and if the Hurricanes win, Tulsa will advance to 6-2 in conference and tie Houston. However, Tulsa holds the tiebreaker since they beat Houston 56-7 earlier this season.

So, interestingly, it is looking like 2005 all over again…Tulsa @ UCF for the C-USA gold.

UCF is once again receiving votes in the polls. If we beat UTEP, and win the C-USA, I think UCF will receive enough votes to put them in the lower part of the Top 25.

With all this being said - let’s pack The Kingdom this weekend! Let’s show em’ who we are! Let’s show the nation that we are for real! Once again, tell your parents, friends, friend’s parents, your doctor, your coffee barista, your accountant, tell anyone and everyone to show up at Bright House Stadium on Saturday to cheer the Knights on to victory.

Quick Side Note: I will be writing a analysis for the Championship game when that is all finalized. I will also try to write one for which ever team we square off against in a Bowl game before I leave the country on the 12-20.

On to the pre-game analysis…

What can we expect from UTEP?
UTEP is on the verge of one of their worse seasons ever. Entering the show at 4-7 overall and 2-5 in conference doesn’t make the Miners chance of victory on the road look attainable. Last week, UTEP was embarrassed during their last home game when they lost 56-30 against the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. However, UTEP isn’t a team anyone should just count out simply because they have a QB and RB that can move the ball quite well. Expect UTEP to come out wanting to win and rain on UCF’s parade.

What can we expect from UCF?
Once again, I expect the team to play this last game with the dial set somewhere between the “Melee” and “Destroy” setting on the football machine. UCF is playing at HOME, which I am pretty sure may be voted “Toughest venue to play at in the entire C-USA” after the season is done. Expect UCF to be prepared to roll out a display of talent as they close out the 2007 regular season with a win. Expect confidence.

Who, What, Where, Why, When, How?
The UTEP offense is lead by red shirt freshman QB Trevor Vittatoe. Vittatoe can be a deadly passer as he has already thrown for 2,809 yards and 24 TD’s on the season. Also, Vittatoe has only thrown 5 INT’s all season long. Look for passes to hit WR Jeff Moturi (So.), Joe West (Sr.), and perhaps dual threat WR/QB Lorne Sam (Sr.) (if he has recovered from injury). Combined, these receivers have made up 2,089 total yards and 20 TD’s. UTEP has a pretty decent running game when RB Marcus Thomas (Sr.) touches the ball. This season, Thomas has busted for 1,167 yards on the ground and is responsible for 16 UTEP touchdowns all by himself. The Miners O-line can get the job done, but has allowed a total for 14 sacks for a104 yards this season. Another area of interest for UTEP has to be special teams. This season, punter Greg Hiett (Jr.) has been averaging 48.2 yards on his punts. Also PK Jose Martinez (Sr.) has been named a finalist for the Lou Groza award (the Award for Best Kicker in CFB) thanks to making 42 out of 44 total attempted PAT & FG’s (the two missed were FG for over 50 yards) as well as being 4-5 successful onside recovery kicks. What does UCF defense need to expect? The key to UTEP’s offense is the short passing game, as Vittatoe and company will nickel and dime it all the way down the field. The UCF D-Line will need to apply pressure to the QB to force errant throws or better yet register some sacks. I’d expect to see the linebackers to play off the line just a tad bit to either contain/stop any rushing attempts or to break up any short passes that may occur. The UCF backfield will once again be put to the test as they must stop UTEP receivers from making catches.

So what about defense? Last week, the Miners gave up 568 nasty yards of total offense to Southern Miss. Not that it should surprise anyone, but UTEP ranks last in all of the C-USA and 117 th overall in the nation. UTEP is also 110 th in scoring defense by allowing an average of 37.2 points per game. Last week UTEP proved why they are ranked 100 th in the rush defense by allowing USM’s RB Damion Fletcher run all over them. Any way you want to look at it the UTEP defense sucks big time. Even with one of the worse defenses in the league, UTEP somehow still leads the C-USA with 28 takeaways on the season. There are key players to look for on the Miner’s D. The apparent leader of the defense is Sophomore DB Braxton Amy whom has put up some impressive numbers this season. Amy alone has tallied up 105 total tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, 1 sack, 3 INT’s, and 5 pass breakups. Additionally, keep an eye on FS Quintin Demps (Sr.) and DB Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith (So.). Demps has 4 INT’s on the season one of which he took back for a TD while Cromartie-Smith has 88 total tackles and 2 INT’s. Also, LB Jeremy Jones (Sr.) is looking good this season with 82 total tackles and 3 forced fumbles. What is needed on the UCF offensive? Kevin Smith. If Damion Fletcher can run for 211 yards on this defense, just imagine what Kevin Smith can do in. UTEP will not be able to stop 24K no matter what they do. If O’Leary plays Smith the whole game, expect him to have another 300 yard game. Israel will need to play and pass smart as UTEP has been known to pick a few from out of the air. The O-Line shouldn’t have a problem with UTEP’s weak defensive front, so that should provide Israel time to make smart plays or holes for Smith to run through. Overall I think you may need to bring an umbrella because it will probably be raining touchdowns once again at the stadium.

Other Contributing Factors: There are many contributing factors that will affect UTEP. Closing it out - It is senior day. It is the last game of the regular season for UCF. It is also the do or die game that decides if UCF will play for the C-USA championship. Believe me, the boys are going to come out pumped. The Crowd - Without a doubt, I think UCF has proven that the student section alone is enough to rattle ANY team that comes to our house. I believe we have one of the best student sections in all the State of Florida. So let’s keep it up! Keep it loud in there on Saturday! UCF Wants It All - It is looking like UCF will be the only school in the State of Florida that can win its conference this year. UF is out of the running for the SEC. USF is out of the running for the Big East, and FSU and FIU never had a chance from the start. The only other team that has a chance to win their conference is FAU. FAU will have to beat FIU and Troy in the next two weeks to win the Sun Belt. Weather looks good for a game: - Forecast calls for a daytime high of 77 with a 30% chance of showers, and a overnight low of 65 with a 30% chance of showers. Winds are expected to be out of the E at a stiff 10-12 MPH with humidity at 71%. Sunset is at 5:29 PM.

Summary:
Ok I am going to brag for a minute. Before the season started back in July, I went on record saying that UCF would go 9-3 with losses coming from Texas, ECU, and Southern Miss. It looks like my overall predictions were spot on with exception that we beat Southern Miss and got spanked by USF. This weekend, UCF will go 9-3 and advance to the C-USA championship game, which will be hosted at Bright House. Simply put, UTEP does not stand a chance against the Knights on the field and our student section in the stands. I expect that student section to be their loudest when UTEP offense takes the field. Stomp the bleachers, yell, chant, make a noise maker or something. JUST BE THERE AND BE LOUD! Our Knights came out this season and have shined and really played their best this season. And honestly, who could ask for anything more? See you in the student section on Saturday.

Last but not least, I leave you with the Keys to the Game and Players to Watch.

Go Knights!