Texas El Paso @ South Florida preview

THE STORY: No. 17 South Florida gets its final tuneup for Big East Conference play when it hosts Texas-El Paso in the schools’ first meeting. The Bulls racked up 1,264 yards of offense and 107 points in the past two games following their season-opening 23-20 upset at Notre Dame. The Miners, members of Conference USA, are 0-20 against BCS schools since 1998. They have lost 25 straight road games against Top 25 teams, including the last nine by an average of 41.4 points.

TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: South Florida -29

ABOUT UTEP (2-1): The Miners won 16-10 at New Mexico State last week, using a 60-yard fake punt to set up the go-ahead touchdown. Freshman quarterback Jay Hall struggled (9-of-28 passing, 124 yards, interception) in place of Nick Lamaison, who separated his shoulder in a 28-17 loss to SMU the week before. Lamaison has not been ruled out this week, and coach Mike Price indicated that backups Carson Meger and Tate Smith also are in the mix. The defense has played well over the last six quarters, allowing 390 total yards. The Aggies produced only 10 points in four trips to the red zone against New Mexico State.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (3-0): Quarterrback B.J. Daniels, who threw 13 interceptions and 11 touchdowns in 2010, has been much more accurate. He has completed 67 percent of his throws and has six touchdowns against one interceptions. Running back Darrell Scott ran for 146 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s rout 70-17 of Florida A&M. Defensive back JaQuez Jenkins, who hurt his hamstring in the opener against Notre Dame, is expected to play Saturday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UTEP’s Vernon Frazier averages 31.9 yards on kickoff returns, which ranks ninth nationally.

2. Fourteen different Bulls caught passes last week.

3. Daniels ranks 13th nationally with 869 passing yards.

PREDICTION: South Florida 44, UTEP 14 - The Bulls’ offense, which has not been stopped yet, should feast on the undermanned Miners.