Howling With The Lobos: Homecoming Week

What: New Mexico Lobos vs Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

When: Saturday October 26^th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. MDT

Where: DreamStyle Stadium in Albuquerque

Coverage: This game will be on Facebook Live. The Lobo Radio Network will have the coverage on the radio side.

Series: Hawai’i leads the series 14-10, but the Lobos have won seven in a row, including 28-21 the last time these two played back in 2016.

Breakdown:

This week is homecoming for the New Mexico Lobos, but it has been anything but a week to celebrate for the home dwelling Bos of Burque. As if losing four straight games wasn’t bad enough, earlier this week quarterback Sheriron Jones was suspended indefinitely after being accused of indecent exposure in a parking garage on campus. His suspension will not only bring a lot of distractions for UNM but will also mean that Tevaka Tuioti will start at quarterback.

Aside from the distractions of the Jones incident the Lobos must try to slow down a Hawai’i passing attack that is averaging 359 yards per game. The Lobos have been allowing 348 yards per game through the air and it might get pretty ugly early if Hawai’i can get their passing game early.

X-Factor:

The x-factor in this game is going to be the Lobos offense being able to score points. The Rainbow Warriors can pass, pass, and if we haven’t said it yet, they can pass. The Lobos need to score a bunch of points to stay in this game. A game similar to the New Mexico State game is what the Lobos need from their offense.

Ahmari Davis went for 86 yards last week against Wyoming and Bryson Carroll had 55 yards a week after going for 193 yards against Colorado State. Ultimately the Lobos should go back to the ground to compete with Hawai’i given the fact that the Rainbow Warriors is allowing 204.4 yards per game on the ground. If the Lobos want to find success in this game, it needs to be a turn and hand the ball off kind of game for UNM.

Prediction:

The Lobos seem to be coming apart at the seams; four straight losses, a huge suspension creating distractions, a team coming in that can pass the ball all over the field, something that the Lobos can’t stop. As much as I want to go with the home team, it’s going to be tough to go with them given the situation: Hawai’i 45 Lobos 28