UTEP's records leading up to that 1985 season....I just chose back to 1972 because that was when LaVell started and it showed a stark reality of what that UTEP team had been for a loooooong time....they hadn't been to a bowl since 1967...that is a team with 137 losses in 14 seasons - that is almost averaging double digit losses each season for that time frame...
1985 = 1 - 10
1984 = 2 - 9
1983 = 2 - 10
1982 = 2 - 10
1981 = 1 - 10
1980 = 1 - 11
1979 = 2 - 9
1978 = 1 - 11
1977 = 1 - 10
1976 = 1 - 11
1975 = 1 - 10
1974 = 4 - 7
1973 = 0 - 11
1972 = 2 - 8

Utah St records leading up to this year...used the same number of years as above - note Utah St is on a 3 year bowl streak (about to go to 4) and is also already 8-3 during this season and we are not their only win....
2013 = 9 - 5
2012 = 11 - 2
2011 = 7 - 6
2010 = 4 - 8
2009 = 4 - 8
2008 = 3 - 9
2007 = 2 - 10
2006 = 1 - 11
2005 = 3 - 8
2004 = 3 - 8
2003 = 3 - 9
2002 = 4 - 7
2001 = 3 - 8
2000 = 5 - 6

Utah St has as many wins just this season than the best 3 years of UTEP in that streak above. In fact USU has 8 wins and UTEP from 1981 through the end of the 1985 season only totaled 8 wins in 5 years. USU has a chance for 3 more wins (or 4 - not likely unless they back into a CCG with others losing) which if they get those 3 wins gives them more wins (11) in this single season than the 1979-1985 seasons for UTEP.

Also USU's quarterback against us this year was their 2nd string (they didn't reach 4th string until later) and he had significant experience as their starter from the year before after Keaton went down.

My point is that your comparison of USU to UTEP (and thinking they are similar) along with your facts are not reality. Maybe in your opinion or memory but certainly not based on actual facts.