TAKE TWO
This will be my first "live" look at Colt McCoy this season. Thank you, ESPN2 (9:15 p.m. CST).
You gotta give the Miners some props for a clever T-shirt (below), but I think a big ol' burnt orange brand is going to be on the other mascot.
Following is the game capsule from the Associated Press. Here's what the AP says about the game in a nutshell: "Another tune-up for heavily favored Texas before the start of the Big 12. For Texas-El Paso, it's the biggest game in program history -- by far -- and an upset would pull the Miners out of the shadows of the Franklin Mountains."
Key Matchup
Texas DTs Roy Miller and Aaron Lewis vs. UTEP center Robby Felix. Lewis is getting the start in place of suspended Lamarr Houston. He and Miller will work against Felix, who was on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy given to the nation's top center. If Felix gets pushed around, it will be a long night for UTEP.
Players to watch
Texas: QB Colt McCoy, who passed for more than 200 yards and ran for more than 100 in season-opening win over Florida Atlantic. He and Vince Young are the only Texas QBs to have multiple 200-100 games in school history.
UTEP: QB Trevor Vittatoe, who threw three interceptions in season-opening loss to Buffalo after throwing just seven in 2007.
Facts & Figures
When these teams last met in the 1930s, UTEP was still known as the College of the Mines.
Texas blocked a punt last week, its first since 2006. Even with that drought, the Longhorns have blocked 49 kicks since 2000, the most in the nation over that span.
New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp might be the most entertaining Longhorn to watch. The animated and fiery Muschamp got a bloody face last week when he accidentally cut himself on the left cheek during the game.