UTEP's season-ending 45-43 loss to North Texas on Friday is one that deserves to be graded on a curve.
At the end of a season where almost everything beyond UTEP's control turned into a disaster, one where every Conference USA opponent on the schedule refused to come to El Paso, where several players gave up before Friday arrived, the Miners who did see it out fought to the tape.
The Miners did some things exceptionally well against North Texas, most notably running the ball, and if they had quarterback Gavin Hardison, they might well be preparing for a bowl now.