New Mexico Bowl Capsule

Utah State (9-4, 6-2 Mountain West) vs. UTEP (7-5, 5-3 C-USA), 2:20 p.m. ET, (ESPN)

Line: Utah State by 10

Series Record: Utah State, 2-0

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Utah State is a win away from notching its third straight bowl victory for the first time in school history. The Aggies are 3-5 in bowl games and have made the postseason for four straight years. The Miners are seeking their first bowl game victory since 1967 and are coming off their first winning season since 2005.

KEY MATCHUP

UTEP's rushing offense versus Utah State's rushing defense. The Miners have 2,552 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns on the ground this season and have rushed for an average of 212.7 yards per game. Utah State ranks 26th in the nation in rushing defense. The Aggies also have forced 29 turnovers in their last 12 games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Utah State: Brothers Zach and Nick Vigil, both linebackers, have combined for 181 tackles. Senior Zach Vigil is tied at 12th nationally in tackles for loss with 11.2 per game. Sophomore Nick Vigil is tied for fifth nationally in forced fumbles with .42 per game.

UTEP: Sophomore running back Aaron Jones has 1,233 yards rushing this season. He is ranked 23rd nationally in rushing yards per game, averaging 112.1. Quarterback Jameill Showers has tried to balance the run game with 1,732 yards passing and 12 touchdowns.

FACTS & FIGURES

UTEP head coach Sean Kugler and Utah State head coach Matt Wells are both in their second seasons and both are graduates of their respective schools. ... Utah State is the only team in the nation with five players who have thrown at least two touchdown passes this season. That's because they've used four quarterbacks and WR Ronald Butler has thrown two touchdown passes. ... UTEP's Aaron Jones has rushed for at least 100 yards nine times during his career. ... Aggies kicker Nick Diaz is ranked 29th nationally with a field goal percentage of .800.