Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#43 UTEP Miners 8-4 SU; 4-7 ATS

Fargos Take Expectations were high in El Paso last season as the Miners were picked by many to win the C-USA crown despite it being just their first year in the conference. It ended up being a disappointing year as UTEP failed to make it to even the championship game while dropping its final three games of the season. Even so, the eight wins matched the total victories from the previous season, a huge accomplishment considering the Miners won a total of six games in the three previous seasons combined. The hiring of head coach Mike Price certainly has a lot to do with that and as expected, the Miners are once again the favorites to win the conference. They need to avoid the mistakes which hurt them the most last year. UTEP was 108th in the country in turnover margin and its 34 turnovers on offense were the fourth most in the country. The offense will be explosive once again but cutting down on those miscues will be the difference between a championship and another eight-win year.

Returning Starters on Offense 7 Senior quarterback Jordan Palmer has the skills to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country but he simply makes too many mistakes. He has tossed 37 interceptions the last two seasons including an NCAA high 19 last year. He did throw for over 3,500 yards with 29 touchdowns but if the Miners are going to make a serious run, he needs to cut down on the turnovers. UTEP was 31st in total offense and 33rd in scoring offense last season and those averages should improve this year. There is some excellent experience all around, especially at receiver and on the offensive line. The running game was a problem last year, finishing 87th in the country, but the return of tailback Marcus Thomas is a big plus. He did average 5.2 ypc and running behind a big line means possible progression.

Returning Starters on Defense 9 The defense faltered down the stretch in 2005, allowing 31 or more points in the last three games and five of the last six. The unit spent a lot of time on the field and that is the main cause for digression during the second half. This year, nine starters are back and there is a lot of optimism heading into the season. Nine of the starters are seniors while the other two are juniors, making it the most experienced unit in the conference. The Miners need to stiffen up the rushing defense and they should be able to accomplish that as four seniors are back across the line and there is more depth than ever before. The linebackers are also strong with three more seniors leading the way. The lone weak spot could be in the secondary as the cornerbacks, while experienced, are extremely small with no one standing over 511.

Schedule The slate is not easy but for a team with so much experience, it is manageable. The non-conference schedule is tough with road games at San Diego St. and New Mexico, two games that should be won but are by no means guarantees. The two home games are against Texas Tech and New Mexico St., with the former setting up as a very entertaining contest. The C-USA schedule kicks in with two home games against SMU and Tulane and then the real test begins. Back-to-back road games against Houston and Tulsa will go a long way in determining who will be sitting atop the divisions at the midway point. UTEP closes with four winnable games, the toughest being a game at UAB. The Miners can run the table and with a 6-4 road record over the last two seasons, it can definitely happen.

You can bet on UTEP games are going to be fun to watch as the offense should be the best in the conference once again. It will be up to the defense to make some major improvements as well as Palmer cutting down on the miscues to determine how far this team will go. The Miners are 4-11 ATS in non-conference games since 2000 but they are 3-1 against the number in Prices two years. The opening game at San Diego St. will be a good test as the Aztecs are an improved squad and these are the types of games that UTEP needs to win. Since 1989, the Miners are just 4-12 against the number in their road opener but did take out New Mexico St. last season so that trend could start reversing itself out.