3 UTEP Miners that could cause problems for the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma finally straps up their pads on Saturday to take on a UTEP Miners team coming in off a 31-13 week zero loss to North Texas.
UTEP struggled to compete in the second half, allowing UNT to score 17 unanswered points and unable to do anything offensively in the second half.
That won’t work if they plan to remain competitive against Brent Venables’ Sooners. A team who comes in with the added juice of playing for a first-year coach. Add that to the fact that the Palace on the Prairie will be rocking, and things could snowball fast for UTEP.
Oklahoma can’t take UTEP for granted, or they will find themselves in a second-half dog fight like OU did this time last year with Tulane. The talent level may not be up to Big 12 standards, but UTEP has some pieces that could make life difficult for the Sooners.
Up Next: An Explosive Wide Receiver
Tyrin Smith, WR
UTEP’s offense is by no means the nation’s best, but they have a wide receiver in Tyrin Smith who can make plays. He fits the exact mold of players that have given Oklahoma fits in recent years: short, explosive, and very elusive.
Smith is only 5-foot-7, but he can play.
Last season he had 33 receptions for 570 yards (17.3 avg) with four touchdowns. He had seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown against North Texas. Stature-wise, it may be wise for Jaden Davis to be the one to cover him, but they’ll move Smith around a bit to find favorable matchups. If the Sooners can bottle him up, they could really limit a Miners passing attack that likes to push the ball down the field.
Up Next: Will UTEP’s defense make any praise-worthy plays?
Praise Amaewhule, DE
Praise Amaewhule is probably the best player on UTEP’s defense. He’s a nice-sized defensive end at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. He uses his weight and hands well and earned All-Conference USA first-team honors last season.
He led the Miners with 13 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles. He also ranked second on the team in pass breakups (seven) and ranked second on the team in sacks (5.5).
He’s definitely a late-round NFL prospect type that could help himself out with a good individual performance against Oklahoma’s offensive line. Anton Harrison has generated first and second-round buzz, and he’ll man the left side again this year. Wanya Morris is the starter at right tackle, but there’s a good chance we see others get opportunities there as well.
Whoever has Amaewhule will need to be on their game, as the Miners’ defensive end is disruptive and could get Oklahoma’s offense out of rhythm early.
Up Next: UTEP hopes to tell the Sooners Good “Knight”
Tyrice Knight, LB
Tyrice Knight is a senior leader on this Miners team. He stands 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds. He’s not scared to come up and lay his pads into someone.
He was an All-Conference USA honorable mention in 2021 and racked up 101 tackles (58 solo) last year. He also had two sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
He started every game last year and opened his senior season with 11 tackles against North Texas.
With Oklahoma looking to run the ball, they’ll need the offensive line and tight ends to account for Knight. He’s a guy that finds his way to the ball carrier. Keeping him out of plays would really help Oklahoma be successful early and often.
UTEP isn’t going to surprise anyone this year and end up in a New Year’s Six bowl or anything like that, but they are definitely a team that could give Oklahoma enough of a sweat if the Sooners don’t come out focused.
After getting embarrassed at home by North Texas, the Miners will look to do the same to the Sooners. Taking the guys mentioned above out of the game could go a long way to making sure Brent Venables’ first game as Oklahoma head coach is a successful one.
List
5 Oklahoma freshmen we look forward to watching vs. UTEP
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
