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GAME NOTES: After opening up Big 12 play in fine fashion with a 34-24 win over Texas Tech last week, the second-ranked Texas Longhorns play the second of three straight home games, welcoming instate foe Texas-El Paso to Austin this weekend for a non-conference affair.

Mack Brown's Longhorns got some revenge against the Red Raiders for a last- second loss in 2008, one that cost them the chance to play for the Big 12 title and perhaps the national championship. The win improved Texas to 3-0 on the season, after wins over UL-Monroe (59-20) and Wyoming (41-10) to begin the campaign. Texas has now won 15 consecutive non-conference games, the third longest such streak in the country.

The Miners will attempt to bring an end to that streak, but will be fighting an uphill battle all the way. Mike Price's squad has stumbled a bit out of the gate, dropping games to Buffalo (23-17) and nationally-ranked Kansas (34-7), before finally getting in the win column last weekend at New Mexico State (38-12).

Price has nothing but the highest praise for the top team in the Lone Star State.

"What a fabulous team Texas has, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Colt McCoy who is just a tremendous player. They are coached by the finest college football coach in America in Mack Brown. It's a tremendous program. He is a great role model for any coach at any level. We're so proud to have him in the state of Texas and he's a real credit to the profession. He's a wonderful person and his quarterback is the same way. It goes without saying that they're the best football team in the country right now."

This game marks the fourth all-time meeting between these two teams. Texas has won all three prior matchups, including last year's 42-13 rout in El Paso a year ago.

The UTEP offense lacks the explosiveness to put up gaudy numbers, especially against a national powerhouse like Texas. However, the team does get balance between the run (99.7 ypg) and the pass (206.3 ypg).

Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe has played well for the most part, completing 54.9 percent of his tosses, for 602 yards and one TD. Viattatoe does have a pair of reliable targets on the outside in WRs Kris Adams (13 receptions, for 117 yards) and Jeff Moturi (12 receptions, for 106 yards).

The ground game is spearheaded by junior tailback Donald Buckram, who is netting almost seven yards per carry thus far (6.8) and 84 yards per game. Buckram ran for a career-high 113 yards and two scores last week against the Aggies, as the Miners scored all five of their TDs on the ground.

For the most part, the Miners have done a decent job on the defensive side of the ball, although the unit will have its hands full with the Longhorns. One area of concern has to be the team's inability to stop the run in the early going. Opponents are averaging almost 200 yards per game on the ground, netting nearly five yards per carry.

Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith has a non-stop motor and leads the team in tackles by a large margin with 42 total stops. The 6-2, 210-pounder also has forced two fumbles in the first three games. Sophomore middle linebacker Jeremy Springer is a distant second in tackles (27), with one fumble recovery. Senior safety Braxton Amy (20 tackles) is responsible for two of the team's three INTs.

The Longhorns have a real Heisman favorite running the offense and Colt McCoy is as good as it gets under center. The senior signal-caller is leading a unit that is putting up 44.7 ppg thus far, on 482.0 ypg. The ground game is netting 175 yards, while the passing attack is putting up 307 ypg.

There are a number of options in the backfield, with freshman Tre' Newton (5.6 ypc, two TDs) and junior Vondrell McGee (4.7 ypc, one TD) sharing time at tailback, sophomore Cody Johnson (team-high four TDs) at fullback, and McCoy's (one TD) scrambling ability. Mack Brown is excited about the versatility of his backfield, especially the play of Newton.

"We're lucky enough to have enough quality backs that can step up. It has been hard to get Tre' ahead of those other experienced guys, and now because of his effectiveness and the fact that we have had some injuries, it gives him his shot."

McCoy, who has completed nearly 70 percent of his throws this season, has All- American candidate Jordan Shipley (26 receptions, for 314 yards, one TD) on the outside. He has also utilized sophomore Dan Buckner (17 receptions, for 223 yards and two TDs), who is a big target at 6-4, 215 pounds.

Still, McCoy sees room for improvement on offense.

"You can't expect to go out there and play perfect every week. I feel like we're playing great; we're 3-0. That's the most important thing for me. If I complete one pass a game, but we win that's what everybody remembers. History remembers the wins. There are a lot of ways that we can improve on offense. We need to start playing more consistent and play four quarters."

Despite losing a great deal of talent from last year's stellar defense, Texas is still in good shape on this side of the football with plenty of playmakers. Up front, the team has a legitimate superstar in Sergio Kindle (one sack, 11 QB hurries). The converted linebacker coming off the edge has to be accounted for, leaving players like LB Roddrick Muckelroy (team-high 23 tackles, four TFLs) and fellow rush end Sam Acho (two sacks) to come free and disrupt things up the field. Muckelroy was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after posting 10 tackles, one sack and two TFLs against Texas Tech last week.

The secondary is highlighted by DBs Curtis Brown (17 tackles, six PBUs), Earl Thomas (15 tackles, six PBUs, one INT) and Blake Gideon (15 tackles).

The Miners lack the offensive personnel to keep pace with Texas in this one. McCoy should have little trouble moving the Longhorns up and down the field in what should be a rather easy win for the hometown team.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas 43, Texas-El Paso 10