New Mexico 2007 Preview

The very first thing I would like to point out on this preview is that New Mexico cannot play in the New Mexico Bowl this year, which means they actually have to finish top 4 to get a bowl and not just be bowl eligible. The Lobos have had a history of having that one surprise game each year which happened to coming from behind to beat the Utes, and then tanking the end of the season. They do return tailback Rodney Ferguson and also QB Donovan Porteire who happened to be honorable mention for the Freshman All American team by Sporting New. The Lobos do have 10 defensive starters back and 6 offensive players back, so you would think that they would be put higher on my list, but until the Lobos actually win a bowl game and stop finish .500 I can not put them too high on the list.

Lets take a look at their upcoming schedule.

Sept. 1 at UTEP 8 p.m. MT TV: CSTV

Sept. 8 NEW MEXICO STATE 7:30 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.

Sept. 15 at Arizona 7 p.m. AT TV: TBA (TBS/ESPN/ESPN2)

Sept. 22 SACRAMENTO STATE 6 p.m. MT TV: NONE

Sept. 29 BYU 6:30 p.m. MT TV: CSTV

Oct. 13 at Wyoming 12 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.

Oct. 20 at San Diego State 5:30 p.m. PT TV: CSTV

Oct. 25 AIR FORCE 7:00 p.m. MT TV: Versus

Nov. 3 at TCU 4:30 p.m. CT TV: The Mtn.

Nov. 10 COLORADO STATE 1 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.

Nov. 17 at Utah 3:30 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.

Nov. 24 UNLV 3:30 p.m. MT TV: The Mtn.

Lock it up . . . Sacramento State, @ San Diego State, UNLV

Maybe . . . @ UTEP, New Mexico State, @ Arizona, BYU, Air Force, Colorado State

No Chance . . . @ TCU, @ Utah

My projected record for the Lobos will be 6-6 overall with a conference record of 3-5.

Worst Case Scenario is ... I could see the Lobos starting 1-5 with their only win coming over Sacramento State. They would then rebound and win at San Diego State and then Air Force to salvage to 3-5, and then their only other win would be against UNLV and having their season end in 4-8.

Best Case Scenario is ... Going 4-2 and starting the season on a great note, and only losing to to either UTEP or at Arizona and then at Wyoming. Then finishing off 8-4 losing only at TCU and at Utah. That would put the Lobos bowling and actually finish above .500 for the first time in a few years.