ECU Football UTEP at ECU
Published: Fri, Nov. 28, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Fri, Nov. 28, 2008 01:26AM
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closeTUDOR'S TAKE
The Miners are averaging 34 points per game and surrendering an average 35.5, which means the Pirates should have an opportunity to get their offense moving again before next week's Conference USA championship game. That's one part of it. The other is that ECU's already burdened defense will have to step up yet again. It'll probably be wild, which is normal for most Conference USA games. But the Bucs get the benefit of the doubt, 27-23.
OBSERVATIONS
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NO TIME TO LET UP
Having wrapped up the East Division title, ECU coach Skip Holtz wants to make sure his Pirates don't get complacent.
Improving to 8-4, building more momentum for the Dec. 6 C-USA title game, and making Senior Day special provide enough motivational material.
UTEP (5-6) has a sense or urgency, too. The Miners need a win to qualify for a bowl.
The matchup presents a study in contrasts. UTEP plays a let-it-fly, wide-open offense and is a blitzing bunch on defense. ECU's approach is more conservative overall.
UTEP piles up almost 410 yards per game and features quarterback Trevor Vittatoe, who has thrown for 31 TDs. In ECU, the Miners are facing Conference USA's top defense, which blitzes 19.9 percent of the time.
Conversely, UTEP is allowing 35.5 points per game, a figure that should inspire ECU's offense.
It all could come down to which team imposes style and dictates tempo.
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