The "Battle of I-10" between the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP Miners) and the New Mexico State University (NMSU Aggies) has had many exciting finishes in its storied history, but UTEP has the upper hand in bragging rights because they hold the overall series lead at 48-33-2.

In fact, UTEP won the last meeting on October 2nd, 2004, 45-0, which was the worst defeat that NMSU had faced since 1949, when the Miners blew them out 69-7. Those defeats have been put under the rug, and NMSU is looking for a fresh new start, literally.

Starting last fall NMSU hired new head coach Hal Mumme, from Southeastern Louisiana, to improve a mediocre NMSU football team. Mumme is most known for his resignation from Kentucky due to NCAA recruiting violations.

NMSU knew they were taking a risk with Mumme, but with a 5-5 record last year the average Aggies needed someone to take them over that hump. With the addition of Mumme to the NMSU football staff, the Aggies have added credibility to a football program that has had two winning seasons in eight years. Not only that but they add a coach that has been to two bowl games. In a sense they are looking like the Cinderella story that UTEP was last year with Mike Price.

This does not sit very well with Miners fans, who are excited coming off an 8-4 bowl game season because they believe they have the "better" team. Better is correct, because Price has laid down the groundwork for a perennial powerhouse in new Conference USA.

Picked to finish 1st with 68 votes by coaches in their own West division, UTEP is riding their first non-underdog season in many years. Having three returning offensive weapons in Jordan Palmer (QB), Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. (WR) and Jason Boyd (WR), the Miners are looking to improve their 11th NCAA-ranked offense with UCLA (RB) transfer Tyler Ebell.

The Miners cannot just win with offense, and fortunately for them they have Bronko Nagurski watch-list player Thomas Howard, and Ted Hendricks watch-list player Alex Obemese. These two key returnees stabilize a very strong defense coming off last years bowl season.

So the question becomes, who will win the game between these two rivals?

The teams match up very evenly as odd as it may sound. The reasoning behind the even matching is because of one unknown factor that NMSU is carrying into this season -- the Miners have no idea who will be the starting quarterback and neither do the Aggies.

However, all sources point to junior Aaron Gill to eventually get the nod from head coach Hal Mumme because of his sturdy 6’5", 250 pound frame. The junior-college transfer is hoping that his numbers, 134 of 241 passes for 1,963 yards, 17 touchdowns and just 1 interception, can carry over and help him win a few games.

Sadly, here is the cold hard reality check for the NMSU Aggies. The UTEP Miners are better coached, have better players, and when all is said and done, have the home field advantage.

Wait a minute, isn’t the game at Aggie Memorial Stadium? Yes, that is true, but UTEP just has a much better fan base than NMSU and that will be the difference in this tight game.

The Hal Mumme hiring was a great PR move by NMSU, just like Reggie Theus, but it isn’t enough to bring in a sellout crowd every game.

So to end this lengthy discussion, I believe the Miners will win the game -- and in convincing fashion. It will be a hard fought first half, but once UTEP defensive coordinator Tim Hundley makes his second half adjustments, the Miners will pull away for good. Once that happens all the Aggies can do is cry for their Mumme, and wait till the game clock hits 00:00.

That’s the truth, can you handle it?

Prediction
UTEP 35
NMSU 10

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