Rice and UTEP never met in 2020. Minutes before the originally scheduled kickoff, COVID cancelations postponed the contest and the Texas-based C-USA programs never made it up. Now, the Owls and Miners converge in West Texas for their first duel since 2019.
UTEP (6-4, 3-3 C-USA) clinched bowl eligibility in a hurry with a surprising 6-1 start, securing two more victories than it had from 2017 to 2020. However, the luster has worn off as the schedule has ramped up and the Miners have been on the losing end of three consecutive contests. That seventh win has been hard to come by, but if claimed Saturday, UTEP clinches its first winning season since 2014.