Watch the 2014 New Mexico Bowl: UTEP vs. Utah State game time, TV schedule, live online streaming
Can UTEP win a bowl game for the first time in nearly a half-century?
1967. That’s the last time UTEP won a bowl game. Head coach Sean Kugler has the Miners back in the postseason, but they face a tough test in Saturday’s New Mexico Bowl against Utah State.
Utah State lost two different starting quarterbacks this season but still managed to win nine games and finish third in a tough Mountain West Mountain Division. The Aggies knocked off a ranked BYU team, eliminating the Cougars’ chances at an undefeated season, and recorded a dominant victory over Air Force the next week. The Aggies have one of the best defenses in the Mountain West and could cause problems for the UTEP backfield.
The Miners opened the season 2-3 with wins over the two New Mexico teams, and then won four of their next five games to become bowl eligible. A season-ending victory over bowl-eligible Middle Tennessee State guaranteed a winning season, giving UTEP something to build on heading into next season.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 2:20 p.m. ET.
TV: ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked. Utah State is 9-4, and UTEP is 7-5. The Aggies have won both teams played between the schools -- in 1960 and 1961.
Vegas: Utah State opened as an 11-point favorite. The line has since moved to 10. The over/under is set at 46 points.
Weather forecast: High of 48, partly cloudy.
Two things at stake
A win for Utah State would give them their second double-digit win season in program history.
A win for UTEP would be a major upset.
One big matchup
Zach Vigil vs. UTEP offense. Utah State's senior linebacker has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Aggies, recording 145 tackles (19.5 for a loss), nine sacks, three passes broken up, one fumble forced and an interception returned for a touchdown. The Miners have a solid running game led by Aaron Jones (5.7 yards per carry, 11 touchdowns), and how well they're able to game plan around Vigil might determine their success in this one.
Further reading
For more on UTEP and the rest of C-USA, head to Underdog Dynasty. For more on Utah State and the rest of the Mountain West, check out Mountain West Connection.
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