SMU vs. UTEP: Mustangs looking to bounce back after loss to TCU

The SMU Mustangs are off to a 1-3 start in 2012, but all three losses have come to Big 12 opponents. Last Saturday, the Mustangs kept it close against rival TCU, but still lost the Battle for the Iron Skillet for the fifth time in six seasons. They'll be looking to bounce back on the road in El Paso against the UTEP Miners, who have had their own struggles this year.

UTEP comes into the game at 1-4, and the Miner offense is sputtering. The Miners rank 111th in scoring offense and 106th in total offense after five games. However, SMU's defense is not performing much better, as they rank 98th in scoring defense and 102nd in total defense. The matchup between the SMU offense and UTEP defense looks equally toothless, as the Mustangs (91st in scoring offense, 101st in total offense) don't have much of an advantage over the Miners defense (80th in scoring defense, 99th in total defense).

This game would be a great opportunity for Garrett Gilbert to get going for SMU after a five interception performance against the Horned Frogs last Saturday.

The game kicks off from the Sun Bowl at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday.