The UTEP football team's margin of error to stay competitive with Boise State was slim.
As a 54-13 loss indicates, one that dropped the Miners to a rather predictable 2-1, that margin was vastly exceeded.
How it happened
The margin of error didn't include giving up an early punt return for a touchdown, or giving up three touchdowns in less than three minutes, or a turnover on their own goal line, or a turnover on the other goal line going in, or finishing two long drives with field goals.
All of that happened in a first half where UTEP was outgained 290-243, controlled the clock for 22:20 and went to intermission trailing the Broncos 41-13.