At times this season, the UTEP offense has looked like coach Dana Dimel envisions it: Efficient, productive and with ball control.
At times, such as during a recent three-game losing streak, it's been a mess: Penalties, three-and-outs, turnovers.
The statistic that explains everything is third down.
In the three Miner victories, UTEP converted 55 percent of third downs. In the four losses, the Miners converted 34 percent.
Against a Rice team that ranks fourth nationally in time of possession, achieving some third-down efficiency is UTEP's best chance to moving the scoreboard.