UTEP enters 2020 smack in the middle of a five-year rebuild. To this point, though, the results haven’t showed up. 

The Miners have just two wins in the last three seasons. The last home win against an FBS opponent came in 2016. And even worse, the Miners rank among the worst teams nationally in returning production.

The schedule will be little help. Nonconference games against Texas Tech and Texas – not to mention lack of FCS matchup – will make things difficult. Here’s how we see the Miners’ 2020 campaign unfolding. 

Sept. 5: Texas Tech

The Miners open the year against their West Texas brothers of Lubbock. Although the game will be at the Sun Bowl, it won’t help much. 

Prediction: Loss (0-1)

Sept. 12: at Nevada

The Wolf Pack are quietly emerging into a competitive Mountain West program under longtime Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jay Norvell. 

Prediction: Loss (0-2)

Sept. 19: at Texas

The Miners head out to Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium to face off against the storied Longhorns in Austin. It should be a fun trip. 

Prediction: Loss (0-3)

Sept. 26: New Mexico State

Calling this game a must-win is an understatement. UTEP’s schedule is brutally hard and New Mexico State is the lone opponent that the Miners could conceivably be better than. Jacob Cowing could have a breakout game against the Aggies. 

Prediction: Win (1-3)

Oct. 10: at Louisiana Tech

Skip Holtz’s Bulldogs are fresh off one of the best seasons in program history. Even though the biggest stars are gone, La Tech is a menace at home. 

Prediction: Loss (1-4)

Oct. 17: Southern MIss

QB Jack Abraham ranks among the top Group of Five passers in the country, though losing NFL receiver Quez Watkins to the draft will make things tougher. Still, the Golden Eagles have an impressive track record of success. 

Prediction: Loss (1-5)

Oct. 24: at Charlotte

Charlotte jumped to bowl eligibility for the first time in program history in Will Healy’s first season as head coach. Quarterback Chris Reynolds is one of the up-and-comers in C-USA after throwing for 2,564 yards, rushing for 767 yards and combining for 28 total touchdowns. 

Prediction: Loss (1-6)

Oct. 31: North Texas

The Mean Green are losing many of their top players, including transcendent quarterback Mason Fine. However, Seth Littrell has recruited at an elite C-USA level for the past few seasons. 

Prediction: Loss (1-7)

Nov. 7: FIU

After winning 17 games in Butch Davis’ first two seasons, the Panthers took a step back to simply bowl eligibility. FIU loses among the most offensive production in college football, but still has more talent than UTEP right now. 

Prediction: Loss (1-8)

Nov. 14: at UTSA

Jeff Traylor’s first season at UTSA could be a rocky one, especially since the Roadrunners won’t have an offseason to put things together. But by November, Sincere McCormick and Frank Harris will have the offense rolling at the AlamoDome. This is one of UTEP’s best opportunities for a win. 

Prediction: Loss (1-9)

Nov. 21: UAB

Bill Clark’s Blazers went through one adjustment year. However, UAB ranks among the national leaders in returning production. Don’t be surprised to see QB Tyler Johnston III lead UAB back to a conference championship.

Prediction: Loss (1-10)

Nov. 28: at Rice

The final game of 2020 comes against a Rice squad that’s starting to put things together. Mike Bloomgren is assembling a strong group of line talent in University Park. 

Prediction: Loss (1-11)

Record Prediction: 1-11, 0-8 Conference USA

UTEP will be a better team in 2020 than 2019. The talent is just better, especially on offense. Getting contributors like Quardraiz Wadley, DeVaughn Cooper and Gavin Hardison back in the lineup will eventually lead to success.

Unfortunately, the schedule is hard enough that improvement might not be obvious right away. The good news is that UTEP is finally experiencing its first youth movement of the Dana Dimel era. Getting critical production from the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions should hopefully translate to a better 2021.