College Football: 5 schools at risk of going winless in 2019
By Shane Lunnen
5. UTEP Miners
Last season was head coach Dana Dimel’s first in El Paso. It did not end well as the Miners lone win came again Rice, on the road no less. It appears to be more of the same for the Miners this upcoming season.
To avoid posting a goose egg in the win column this season, the Miners must improve on both sides of the ball. Last season the offense ranked 125th in country, averaging only 308 yards and 18 points per game. The defense was not nearly as bad as the offense, but it only returns five starters. The Miners better hope it is addition by subtraction as they did pick up some junior college transfers to fill in the gaps. Leading tackler linebacker Sione Tupou returns and looks to build off his solid freshman year.
The 1-11 record last season was an improvement over the 2017 season, where the Miners went winless and were the last team to do so in the FBS. One could say the Miners are trending up, but the schedule is not favorable to build upon last season. They open against Houston Baptist which should be a win, but nothing comes easy for UTEP. There are not many possible wins left. Rice, New Mexico State and UTSA are winnable, but the Miners will have to work hard to avoid posting a second winless season in three seasons.