Following a tough loss to the Red Raiders this past weekend, the Miners are looking to take out their frustrations on a familiar foe in the Sun Bowl.

New Mexico State come on down…

The 2-0 (Yes, you read that correctly) Aggies with wins over Cal Poly and Georgia State hope to keep the train rolling with a road upset over UTEP.

While there is plenty of optimism in Las Cruces, NMSU will have to play substantially better to pull off the shocker.

Yes, I know it’s a rivalry game and anything can happen, but the Aggies haven’t been holding up their end of the bargain losing the last five meetings in the series.

The comeback win over Georgia State was impressive and UTEP shouldn’t take NMSU lightly, but if the Miners play close to the level of the Texas Tech game this game SHOULD be a blowout.

“Should” being the operative word.

Head Coach Sean Kugler and his players have said all the right things after the gut wrenching loss to Texas Tech.  They acknowledged the game was there for the taking and they let a big win slip away.

Some have mentioned this is a trap game and maybe so if the team hasn’t moved pass the disappointment of last weekend’s letdown.  Valid point and if UTEP was playing Kansas State or even a CUSA opponent I might agree, however, NMSU is just what the doctor ordered to get the Miners back on the winning track.

The Aggies won’t make it easy and have a ton of confidence with their first 2-0 start in 15 years, but there is something special about this year’s UTEP football program.

In just two games, Coach Kugler and his staff have done a great job in year two and the improvement is evident, especially on the defensive end.  The offense led by the nation’s leading rusher Aaron Jones will get most of the accolades this season, but the defense will be the difference between another disappointing season and a bowl berth.

Not to mention after this NMSU game there will be no more “easy” wins remaining on the schedule with conference play on the horizon and as most have noticed CUSA is no slouch this year.

Needless to say this year’s Battle of I-10 is a must win and fans should get on the bandwagon sooner rather than later especially with ticket prices back to normal.

No excuses.

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