Improvements might not save Miners

Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.

UTEP Sean Kugler (18-31, entering fifth season; 18-31 overall)

4-8, 2-6 in Conference USA, sixth in West Division

UTEP coach Sean Kugler has long favored a run-heavy approach and it seemed the Miners might deliver a strong season with a powerful rushing threat in junior Aaron Jones. However, injuries, turnovers and miscues on defense put UTEP in tough spots. The Miners lacked the offensive fire power to rally from big deficits or match opponents in shoot outs. 7

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RB Aaron Jones, FB Darrin Laufasa, OL Jerome Daniels, OL John De La Rosa, TE Hayden Plinke, WR Cole Freytag, DL Gino Bresolin, DL Brian Madunezim, LB Nick Usher, DB Dashone Smith, K Jay Mattox

OL Will Hernandez, QB Ryan Metz, WR Eddie Sinegal, DB Devin Cockrell, LB Alvin Jones, PR Terry Juniel, TE David Lucero, P Alan Luna

Offensive lineman Will Hernandez earned second team AP AllAmerica honors and will anchor a front line with the critical task of keeping QB Ryan Metz on his feet and establishing holes for young running backs. Metz completed 64.7 percent of his passes in 2016, the second highest single season completion percentage in UTEP history. However, the quarterback has a history of injury issues and needs to stay on the field. WR Eddie Sinegal should be among Metz’s top options.

The defense returns seven starters, with LB Alvin Jones earning second team All-Conference USA honors last season and expected to take on a significant leadership role. DB Devin Cockrell also should help the Miners against some potent offenses they will face during the 2017 season.

Aaron Jones left school a year early and was drafted by the Green Bay Backers after setting the UTEP all-time rushing record. He racked up 4,114 career yards and set a single-season school record with 1,773 yards in 2016.

UTEP is likely to improve on both sides of the ball, but it may not be enough to move up significantly in Conference USA or to earn a bowl bid. The Miners will face eight teams that were bowl eligible in 2016.

Kugler, however, sees many similarities to his 2014 team that earned a bowl bid.