C-USA was once a premier "G5" conference. Even recently, the conference was still considered better than the MAC and the Sun Belt. Now, many argue that C-USA is the worst conference in FBS football. What happened? Well, the simple answer is conference realignment. After the SEC took Texas and OU from the Big-12, the Big-12 decided to invade the AAC and take Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston. The AAC responded to those losses by adding 6 C-USA members. UAB, UTSA, UNT, FAU, Charlotte, and Rice. All 6 will be playing their final season in C-USA this year and will be joining the AAC in July of 2023. Not only did C-USA lose those 6 members, but they also lost Marshall, USM, and ODU to the Sun Belt. Those 3 applied to join this year, and after a fight with C-USA, that was granted. After all of that, in 2022 C-USA will have 11 teams competing. In response, C-USA decided to add FCS powerhouse SHSU, FBS independents NMSU and Liberty, and FCS school Jacksonville State. Those teams will join in 2023 when the AAC 6 depart. UTEP has pledged its loyalty to C-USA to the public, however, UTEP is more than likely working behind the scenes to somehow join the MWC in the near future. But for now, let's talk about how important this coming season is for UTEP and what it could mean for its future success in C-USA. 

UTEP could finally find consistency and become a brand

Let's say UTEP goes 8-4 this year. Not only would this be the first time UTEP had back-to-back winning seasons since 04', 05', but UTEP could also set the tone for the new C-USA. I am not going to sugarcoat it, C-USA probably won't be great for a couple of years. Sure WKU and Liberty are two very solid teams, but who else? SHSU will be solid but the rest of the conference will most likely be sub-par. UTEP has a decently bright future and they won't have to be amazing to become one of the powerhouses in C-USA. If UTEP becomes a consistent winner in the new C-USA, their brand will be bigger, their recruiting will be better, the fan support, which is already going up, and the money will come in. UTEP will become a brand, El Paso will WANT to watch UTEP. UTEP will become a part of El Paso. The Miners could finally be a part of the MWC and compete with all the old regional rivalries. It'll be awesome. But enough dreaming. FIU, Jax. St., LA Tech, and NMSU will all have new coaches and 3 out of 4 of those schools hired a coach who has won at a high level before. WKU, Liberty, and MTSU all have proven coaches who have been a part of their programs for a few years. It isn't going to be easy. But the opportunity is there and it's a window that will close fast, especially for UTEP.  

What needs to be done

Recruiting 

The first thing that needs to be done is to win this year. If UTEP doesn't win this year, then this whole dream could fall apart. SO much comes down to this year. The expectations are as high as they ever were for UTEP's Football after a 7-6 season last year and a 3rd-year QB starter. The Miners come in with 14 starters returning, the Miners look to capitalize on the opportunity of a weaker schedule. The whole season outlook can be accessed here, at UTEPZay Talks. After this season, UTEP will need to improve in recruiting. Yes, this JUCO pipeline is awesome. But a UTEP is getting guys who barely have any offers. Yes, I trust in UTEP's scouting but there is no doubt UTEP is behind the curb in recruiting, even against NMSU, who is coming off of a 2 win season. According to 247Sports, UTEP was dead last in C-USA recruiting rankings and it isn't looking great this year either. If UTEP can recruit high-level JUCO players in the future, then that'll be one step toward becoming a consistent winner in the new C-USA. 

Development

UTEP will need to develop players they have NOW. What's next after Gavin Hardison? Or Ronald Awatt? These guys won't be here forever. Hardison will have 2 more years of eligibility including this season. Could freshman Jake McNamara be the future starting QB of the UTEP Miners? The dual-threat quarterback is the brother of UTEP WR Kyle McNamara and Michigan QB, Jake McNamara. He was a 3-star recruit and had offers from Colorado State, Utah State, and more. He could be the future of UTEP Football. He is a Dana Dimel QB. Another guy I want to see develop is Jeremiah Ballard. He is only a freshman and he can blossom into a star, with McNamara in the future. Defensively, John Burris lll is a guy I want to see become the next great UTEP CB. He had some playing time last year, and I think if he is healthy, he will be a key part of the defense. Guys like that, and whoever they bring in this year, they will need to develop the way UTEP has developed Praise Amaewhule or Jacob Cowing. 

Win.

The biggest thing you need to do is win. UTEP needs to capitalize on this opportunity. It doesn't come around often. UTEP could rise to the top in this new conference and finally leave behind the UTEP is always bad narrative. Build something great, which UTEP already is. Just imagine it, in 2024, UTEP is 10-1 going into a showdown with NMSU. It could all be so simple. The fans need to do their part too. UTEP needs support to continue to keep up in this new era of college athletics. Everything it comes down to, all the hopes and dreams will rely on the next couple of years. Will UTEP fall into its losing ways like it always does, or is this a new UTEP? #ThisAintTheSameOleUTEP. @UTEPZay on Twitter.