Texas vs UTEP Preview

Through three games the Texas Longhorns are 3-0 and have had comfortable leads at the end of each game. However, in each of their three victories there have been things you could pick out that were less than perfect. In game one the Longhorns gave up 20 points to Louisiana-Monroe. In game two they were only ahead by three points at Wyoming at the half, and in the last two games the offense has struggled to score points in the first half, scoring only 23 points. Colt McCoy and the Longhorn offense yet to play sharp as they struggled again last week against Texas Tech. Colt McCoy looked out of his comfort zone while throwing two interceptions. This week they look to hit on all cylinders when they host UTEP. The Longhorns have only a couple of games before they face Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, so they have to start fixing their early season problems.

Colt McCoy spent all last week before the Texas Tech game sleeping with the flu, while staying away from his teammates. He struggled throughout the game with the Red Raiders, especially in the first half. McCoy attributes his better play in the second half with drinking some Pedialyte (a kid’s drink) and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It seemed to make somewhat of a difference as he threw his only touchdown in the second half.

After filling in for the injured Vondrell McGee coach Mack Brown has said that freshman Trey Newton will be the starter for this week’s game with UTEP. Newton rushed 20 times for 88 yards and a touchdown in the Longhorns win against Texas Tech. If Newton continues to play as well as he did in the victory over the Red Raiders it could signal the end of the tailback by committee approach coach Brown has went with through the first three games.

After starting the season with two losses UTEP got in the win column last week with a 38-12 victory at New Mexico State. The Miners already lost to a Big 12 team earlier this season with a 34-7 loss at home to Kansas.

Last season the Longhorns took a 42-13 win on the road over the Miners.

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By Robert Konis
Big 12 Fans Texas Longhorns Correspondent

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