FACTS & STATS: Site: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (43,000) -- Greenville, North Carolina. Television: CBS College Sports. Home Record: UTEP 3-3, ECU 3-1. Away Record: UTEP 2-3, ECU 3-3. Neutral Record: UTEP 0-0, ECU 1-0. Conference Record: UTEP 4-3, ECU 5-2. Series Record: East Carolina leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The East Division Champion East Carolina Pirates will host the Texas-El Paso Miners this Friday afternoon in a Conference-USA showdown at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The last time the Miners were on the field the team suffered a 42-37 setback to Houston, snapping the team's two-game winning streak. The loss to Houston dropped UTEP's road mark to 2-3 on the year, and also left the team with a mediocre 4-3 ledger in league action. As for the Pirates, they are playing well again, and come into this matchup with five wins in their last six games. The last time ECU was on the field the team grabbed a 17-13 victory over UAB, claiming the East Division in the conference with a 5-2 record. This will be just the second-ever matchup between the two schools on the gridiron. The only other matchup occurred this past season, as the Pirates defeated UTEP, 45-42 in overtime.

For the Miners to have success offensively the team must rely heavily on the pass, as UTEP comes into this game averaging 281.5 ypg through the air. Overall the offense for Texas-El Paso is producing 409.8 total ypg, but out of the 41 touchdowns scored by this unit, 32 have come via the pass. Trevor Vittatoe has been sensational throughout the year, as the quarterback has thrown for 2,961 yards and 31 scores against just six interceptions. Jeff Moturi and Kris Adams have been the top two options for Vittatoe, as Moturi has collected 48 passes for 642 yards and nine scores, while Adams has hauled in 41 receptions for 842 yards and 13 TDs. The last time UTEP was on the field the team racked up 464 total yards, but still lost to Houston by a five-point margin. Vittatoe was outstanding in the win, throwing for 362 yards and four scores, while connecting with Adams six times for 111 yards and three TDs.

What has devastated the Miners throughout the year has been the team's horrific play defensively, as UTEP is currently surrendering a whooping 35.5 ppg. The Miners have been unable to stop the run or pass, allowing the opposition to rush for 195.7 ypg, while permitting another 272.6 ypg through the air. Surprisingly however, the defense has forced plenty of big plays, and comes into this contest with 26 takeaways and 23 sacks. In the recent loss to Houston the Miners were absolutely embarrassed defensively, allowing the Cougars to claw their way to 700 total yards. UTEP was gashed for 220 rushing yards, and torched for another 480 yards passing. DaMon Cromartie-Smith was busy throughout the game, and finished with 14 tackles, while George Kelly added 12 stops.

The Pirates have not been overwhelming offensively this season, but the unit has done enough to get ECU into the C-USA title game. East Carolina heads into this matchup averaging a mediocre 328.6 total ypg, and that has led to just 20.8 ppg. The team has not been able to put forth a consistent effort on the ground, which is why ECU is netting just 116.5 rushing ypg on 3.2 ypc. The passing attack has not been much better, as Pat Pinkney has thrown for just 2,029 yards and nine scores against seven interceptions. The last time the Pirates were on the field the team scored just 17 points and finished with only 295 total yards, but it was enough for ECU to slip past UAB, 17-13. Pinkney threw for 222 yards and one score in the contest, and fortunately was not hurt by his two interceptions. Davon Drew was the main target for the signal caller, as the wideout grabbed seven passes for 95 yards and one touchdown.

ECU's success can be credited to the team's tremendous efforts defensively, as the unit is limiting the opposition to just 325.7 total ypg, and 20.5 ppg. East Carolina has done a solid job against the run, holding opponents to just 139.5 ypg on 3.9 ypc. Another helpful area has been the defense's ability to force big plays, as the Pirates come into this contest with 22 takeaways and 23 sacks. In the recent win over UAB, the Pirates limited the Blazers to just 258 total yards of production, including just 116 yards through the air. ECU forced only one turnover, but held the Blazers to a pathetic 5-of-16 on third down attempts. Pierre Bell tallied nine tackles in the win to go along with one TFL and one interception.

The Miners' passing attack is extremely dangerous, so that is something the Pirates will need to maintain if they plan on remaining in the win column. UTEP will likely score points, but expect the defense for ECU to do enough for the Pirates to grab a victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: East Carolina 31, UTEP 28

Friday, November 28th, 1:00 p.m. (et)