Manziel, Evans lead No. 12 A&M as Aggies take a break from SEC play to face UTEP

Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) (The Associated Press)

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – As No. 12 Texas A&M gets a break from the high-pressure Southeastern Conference with a non-conference game against UTEP on Saturday, coach Kevin Sumlin took time to reflect on his two star players.

He raved about both quarterback Johnny Manziel and receiver Mike Evans after the two were named semifinals for the Maxwell Award.

Then he wondered why only Manziel was being touted as a Heisman Trophy contender.

He says: "I'm puzzled why Mike Evans isn't in the Heisman race. I think he's as good a player as there is in the country."

The Miners have lost five in a row and are 46-point underdogs heading into the first meeting between these teams since 2000.