While UTEP figures to be the choice of many preseason prognosticators to win the Western Division of Conference USA in 2006, ESPN.com senior writer Ivan Maisel has taken things one step further -- he believes the Miners have top-25 potential.

Maisel has listed UTEP 23rd in his post-spring Top 25.

"Quarterback Jordan Palmer has the eye of NFL scouts and the defense returns almost intact (which may be a good thing)," he writes. "Texas Tech comes to El Paso early, which could boost UTEP into a higher ranking. Four road games in five weeks will be rough."

Ohio State tops Maisel's Top 25. Texas is no. 4, TCU is no. 19 and Texas Tech is no. 25 among state schools.

UTEP is the only Conference USA school on the list.

The Miners return eight of 11 starters on offense, and nine of 11 on defense from last year's 8-4 squad. UTEP opens the season at San Diego State on Aug. 31, and will host Texas Tech on Sept. 9.