If UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe (photo, thanks College Fantasy Football Insider) was a quarterback in most other conferences, he would be known as “Most Valuable Player” or “Player of the Year”.

Unfortunately, being a QB in Conference USA…even while throwing for nearly 6400 yards with a 58-16 TD/INT ratio in your first two seasons…Vittatoe sometimes gets overlooked in a conference infested with top-producing QBs.

However, the 2009 season just may see Vittatoe get the recognition…both regionally and nationally…that he deserves.  And, that recognition should begin before your 2009 fantasy draft.

STRENGTHS

Of course, it all starts with Vittatoe.  After a slow start in the first three games of 2008, the Miner QB threw for 3274 yards and 33 TDs.  Look for him to improve on those numbers, as the UTEP schedule is a little more friendly (definitely fantasy-friendly) at the beginning of the 2009 season…compared to last season.  Even with the QB depth of CUSA and the Big XII, Vittatoe will be a good #1 QB on your fantasy team.

Nothing helps a top QB more than having a pair of bookend WRs who produce as well as any pair in the nation.  The Miner breakout star of 2008, Kris Adams, led the Miners with 958 yards receiving and 14 TDs….averaging over 19 yards per catch.  Paired with Adams is the Miner breakout star of 2007, Jeff Moturi, who led the team with 51 catches…for 655 yards and 9 TDs (Moturi had 13 TD grabs in 2007).  The third WR, Tufick Shadrawy, added 20 receptions and 3 scores.  Adams and Moturi are WRs you will be drafting…as their production should increase in 2009.

At TE, Jonny Moore should get the start, as the steady Jamar Hunt has departed.  The Miners do throw to the TE, even with the talent at WR, so Moore will be a draft-worthy TE in those leagues requiring that position filled.

The offensive line will be one of the better ones in CUSA, and the left side, with LG Cameron Raschke and LT Mike Arguayo, should be all-conference at the end of the season…and will provide good protection for Vittatoe.

Although the Miners lose the big leg of PK Jose Martinez (who drilled a 64 yd FG vs UCF last season…probably this writer’s most memorable play seen in-person in 2008), they may have another big leg waiting in the wings.  Redshirt-freshman Logan Barrett once hit a 72-yard FG in a Miners scrimmage.  With this offense, Barrett is a PK you take on draft day.

And, we should not forget, Miners head coach Mike Price is one of the best coaches in the game.  Although he is only 30-30 after five seasons at UTEP, it is an outstanding mark considering how difficult it is to bring top Texas high school talent to El Paso.  Figure in his time at Washington State (two Rose Bowls in 14 seasons….when Wazzu went to one in the previous 65 seasons), and Price knows how to win at some of the toughest places to attract talent.  Price always brings a wide-open offense to any team he coaches, and, his teams have been throwing the football long before it became cool to do so.

WEAKNESSES

The ground game has been virtually non-existent the past few seasons, even with top talent former Miner RBs  like Marcus Thomas and Terrell Jackson (transfers from Arizona and Oregon, respectively) toting the rock.  The top returning rusher from last season is backup QB James Thomas II, who ran for 351 yards and 3 TDs when filling in for Vittatoe.  RBs Daniel Palmer (132, 0 TD in 2008) looks to be the #1 RB for the Miners this season, ahead of Donald Buckram (348, 2 TDs) and Vernon Frazier (176, 1 TD)…Palmer may be getting the nod because he is the bigger of the three.   Still, look for all three to get plenty of action…which means the Miner RBs are not going to have much fantasy impact.

UTEPs defense has been a problem the past couple of seasons, finishing near the bottom nationally in NCAA total defense.  There should be some improvement in 2009 (especially if talented S Braxton Amy should return from injury), but not enough to consider for fantasy purposes.  However, a team with a weak defense does have one positive…it will require the offense to win games…and increase the value of players like Vittatoe, Adams, and Moturi.

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART (Starter in ALL CAPS)

QB:  TREVOR VITTATOE, Tim Curry, James Thomas II

RB:  DANIEL PALMER, Donald Buckram, Vernon Frazier

WR:  KRIS ADAMS, JEFF MOTURI, TUFICK SHADRAWY, Evan Davis, Donovan Kemp, Darrin Moore, Russell Carr

TE:  JONNY MOORE, Elijah Goldtrap

PK:  LOGAN BARRETT, Mike Scott

SCHEDULE

At first glance, three of the Miners first four games look to be tough (MAC champ Buffalo, Kansas, Texas), but, two of those will be at home….and, only Texas will have the defense to slow down Vittatoe and Company.  Also, the Miners do not face Southern Miss or East Carolina from CUSA East…and get both Houston and Tulsa at home.   This schedule not only will benefit the Miners offense…it should help them secure a bowl berth and/or a conference championship at the end of the season.

HOME GAMES in CAPS

09/05   BUFFALO

09/12   KANSAS

09/19   @New Mexico State

09/26   @Texas

10/03   HOUSTON

10/10   @Memphis

10/21   TULSA (Wed.)

10/31   UAB

11/07   @Tulane

11/14   @SMU

11/21   @Rice

11/28   MARSHALL

Related posts:

1. CONFERENCE USA 2009 PREVIEW
2. TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE 2009 PREVIEW
3. HOUSTON COUGARS 2009 PREVIEW
4. THE GAMES EVERY FANTASY PLAYER SHOULD WATCH – September 2009
5. SUN BELT CONFERENCE 2009 PREVIEW

Tags: Mike Price, Trevor Vittatoe, UTEP Miners