How they matchup: No. 22 Liberty Flames at UTEP Miners
For the first time in 11 years, a ranked FBS team is coming to El Paso.
No. 22 and unbeaten Liberty, Conference USA regular-season champion and still hoping to slip into a New Year's Day bowl, puts its season on the line against a Miners team celebrating senior day Saturday at the Sun Bowl.
The Flames, in their first year in CUSA, lead the league in total offense and total defense and, quite obviously, wins. UTEP is looking to be a spoiler and give itself some momentum heading into an offseason of the unknown.
How they match up.
More: CUSA football standings
Quarterbacks Edge: Liberty
The Flames' Kaidon Salter is in a two-way race with New Mexico State's Diego Pavia for CUSA offensive player of the year. Salter has rushed for 823 yards and thrown for 2,409 yards and 28 touchdowns. The development of Cade McConnell may be the most positive thing UTEP can take into next season.
Running backs Edge: Liberty
Liberty might get this check even if UTEP was healthy, as Quinton Cooley leads CUSA in rushing. What the Miners answer with is a total question mark, as Deion Hankins and Torrance Burgess seem doubtful and Eziel Jolly is out.
Receivers Edge: Liberty
This is another area where UTEP's health is a big question, as Kelly Akharaiyi and Jeremiah Ballard got banged up in practice during the week. The Flames' CJ Daniels has 819 yars and averages 21.6 yards per catch.
Offensive line Edge: Liberty
UTEP has held up decently given that it's missing two starters. Liberty is as good here as it is everywhere else: The Flames average 5.8 yards per run and have given up eight sacks.
Defensive line Edge: UTEP
The Miners have three players in the top five in the league for sacks, including school record holder Praise Amaewhule. End CJ Bazile leads the Liberty line in tackles and sacks.
Linebackers Edge: UTEP
The Flames top pair of Tyren Dupree and Jerome Jolly Jr. are 1-2 on the team in tackles, always a good sign of a well-functioning defense. UTEP's Tyrice Knight should finish off a national title in solo tackles; his 7.1 per game leads by almost a tackle.
Defensive backs Edge: Liberty
Liberty's Brylan Green leads CUSA with five interceptions and Kobe Singleton is next with four. Active players in UTEP's secondary have three.
Special teams Edge: Liberty
The Miners had some regression last week, with a big punt return for touchdown offset by a defensive failure on a fake punt and a muffed kickoff. Liberty is solid with its coverage units.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: No. 22 Liberty Flames at UTEP Miners: How they match up
