UTEP Football: Miners should win at least once in 2018

Offense

UTEP didn’t really do much well on offense last year. The Miners ranked 120th in passing offense, averaging just 135 yards per game through the air. Not a single UTEP receiver caught even 25 passes or reached even 400 receiving yards. And Tyler Batson, last year’s top receiver with 21 catches for 370 yards and two scores, has moved on from El Paso after completing his eligibility.

As improbable as it might be, the ground game was even worse than the passing game at UTEP. The Miners ranked 126th among FBS schools, amassing only 95.6 rushing yards per outing. If Quadraiz Wadley can remain healthy, though, the junior running back will end the season with at least 1000 yards from scrimmage.

UTEP is going to look a little different under Dimel and offensive coordinator Mike Canales. The duo are going to play it safe with a still-raw group of talent. Especially important will be finding some way to replace All-America left guard Will Hernandez. His departure to the NFL as a second-round draft pick of the New York Giants saps the line of its best talent.

Focusing on Ryan Metz

That could prove dangerous for Ryan Metz. The senior quarterback is penciled in as the starter at this point, but he cannot remain comfortable in holding on to that spot for the entire season. Last year Zach Greenlee took advantage of an opening to emerge as the team’s top passer. Metz still appeared in seven games, but a shoulder injury knocked him out for several contests.

Now Metz has to face a challenge from junior-college transfer Kai Locksley. The son of longtime college coach Mike Locksley, the transfer originally committed to Texas but left the Longhorns after failing to reach the field as either a passer or receiver. That departure could prove critical for the Miners, who would love to exploit Locksley’s dual-threat skills.

Metz is more of a pocket passer, though he did showcase a 15-yard touchdown scramble at the spring game. The veteran cannot rest on his laurels in 2018 lest he lose his job. And that pressure on Metz will either make him wilt quickly or will fortify his resolve. Either way, it will be the job of Dimel and Canales to note which way it goes as soon as possible and act accordingly.