How they match up: Incarnate Word Cardinals at UTEP Miners
Matchups don’t come much harder to predict than Saturday’s Sun Bowl game between UTEP and Incarnate Word.
As is the case of other FBS vs FCS matchups this week there is no spread. The Cardinals have turned over much of their personnel and coaching staff from their FCS semifinalist team last year that was probably better than the 2022 Miners.
Now they’ve subbed in a new batch of players who didn’t look at UTEP out of high school when they committed to power five schools.
What does this version of Incarnate Word look like? No one who hasn’t been to its practices can know until Saturday night.
In terms of intangibles, the biggest improvement for a college football team is supposed to be from Week 1 to Week 2 so advantage UTEP. In terms of scouting, UIW knows who UTEP is, the Miners have no idea what this version of the Cardinals looks like. Advantage UIW.
So call all that follows an educated guess.
More: UTEP Miner defense looks to improve on third down against Incarnate Word
Quarterbacks Edge: Incarnate Word
Incarnate Word’s Zach Calzada hasn’t played a game since 2021, the year he engineered Texas A&M’s upset of No. 1 Alabama. He sat out last year at Auburn with an injury. Gavin Hardison had one poor decision last week when he otherwise threw the ball as well as he has his entire time with the Miners.
Running backs Edge: UTEP
This is slight. The Miners got better as they went against Jacksonville State and the 1-2 punch of Deion Hankins and Torrance Burgess Jr. showed spark. UIW’s Tre Siggers had big moments for SMU and North Texas earlier in his career. UTEP will use its tailbacks more.
Receivers Edge: Incarnate Word
Incarnate Word has to replace its top two receivers from the best offense in Division I, but Brandon Porter, CJ Hardy and Jaelin Campbell all had nice numbers in an offense that put video game statistics on the board. UTEP’s Kelly Akharaiyi is off to a good start, now the Miners need Tyrin Smith to have a big game.
Offensive line Edge: UTEP
This group took a half to get going for the Miners but were taking over the game late in the opener. The trenches should always be among the biggest advantages for an FBS team playing against an FCS team.
Defensive line Edge: UTEP
This is the other area where an FBS team should have an advantage, though the Cardinals’ Steven Parker is a legitimate star. Much of UTEP’s advantage here comes with its depth. Look for this to be even in the first half with the Miners starting to flex some muscle late.
Linebackers Edge: UTEP
The UTEP tandem of Tyrice Knight and James Neal was as good as the Miners hoped they would be; this figures to be a check mark for UTEP in most games. The Cardinals return two of their top tacklers in Brandon Richardson and Ricky Rich.
Defensive backs Edge: UTEP
As much as any area, this sums up the “who knows” aspect of this game. Three of UIW’s four starters are transfers, all of whom were productive at previous stops. UTEP’s secondary held up well against Jacksonville State, but in terms of an opponent’s passing game, the Cardinals represent a big step up. The Miners might be without one of their elite players, safety Kobe Hylton, who will be a game-time decision with a lower leg injury.
Special teams Edge: Even
That “even” represents a punt, appropriate for the special teams category. UIW has a new kicker, punter and returner. UTEP will have a new punt returner this week in Smith and is coming off a game where its special teams graded around a B-minus.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: How they match up: Incarnate Word Cardinals at UTEP Miners
