Can UTEP ‘Make History’ This Saturday Versus The 25th Ranked Kansas State Wildcats?

0-13 against Big 12 opponents.

1-31 versus ranked opponents on the road (lone win was back in 1974).

History is certainly not on UTEP’s side as they prepare to face the nationally-ranked Kansas State Wildcats.

When this season’s football schedule was released in February, I can guarantee even the most diehard Miner fan penciled in a loss when they saw a road game versus Kansas State.

Even today, the odds makers still feel the same way projecting UTEP as heavy road underdogs (-26 as of Wednesday).

Most years it would be the same status quo “Let’s just get through this game healthy” or “Let’s keep it close for a half”, but this year feels much different from years past.

There is a certain swagger to this team that makes you believe UTEP will not lie down when they hit the field in Manhattan, Kansas this weekend.

After a hard fought win over New Mexico, the Miners played their hearts out and almost eked out a win over Texas Tech in a thrilling fourth quarter.

After a loss like that no one would have been surprised to see UTEP lose or struggle with a subpar NMSU team and after giving up an early touchdown to the Aggies you could feel Miner fans under their breath saying “here we go again”.

Not this time.

UTEP proceeded to march down the field to square things and after taking a 21-10 into the half, the Miners slammed the door on any chance of an Aggie comeback.

A loss to Kansas State doesn’t derail this season by any means especially if UTEP can hang tough in a difficult road game, but is there really a chance for the Miners to pull off a historic upset?

Some have compared Kansas State to the Texas Tech game and while they both play in the same conference the Wildcats are a much better team than the Red Raiders even if the national ranking didn’t make it obvious enough.

UTEP will have to contend with a balanced offensive attack and if there is any chance of a win the Miner offense will have to figure out a way to put points on the board against a stingy Kansas State defense that happens to excel versus the run (allowing just over 100 yards per game).

We all know what Aaron Jones and Co. can do against less than stellar defenses, now we will really find out how good this UTEP running attack really is come Saturday afternoon.

Do you believe in Miner Miracles?