Howling With The Lobos: San Jose State Preview

What: New Mexico Lobos at San Jose State Spartans

When: Friday October 4^th, 2019 at 8 p.m. Mountain

Where: CEFCU Stadium in San Jose

Coverage: CBS Sports Network will have the television broadcast. As always the game will be carried on the Lobo Radio Network. Flagship station is 770 AM/94.5 FM KKOB in Albuquerque.

Series: This is the 19^th meeting all-time between the two schools; The series is 12-5-1 in favor of San Jose State. The last time these two hooked up was back in 2016 and New Mexico came away the winner 48-41.

What To Watch/Listen For

Can New Mexico’s Pass Defense come to life?

One aspect that we constantly go over every week is that of the UNM pass defense. The Lobos got a little better last week in the 17-10 loss at Liberty, but still allowed 306 passing yards. The Lobos need to continue to make strides in that department if they expect to at least win four more contests and make it to a bowl game. San Jose State averages 284.8 passing yards a game, the Lobos need to aim to keep them around that mark if they want a chance at winning this one.

Run like the wind…

The Spartans defense is almost as bad against the run as the Lobos are against the pass. They allow 219 yards on the ground per game this season, something that can work in New Mexico’s favor. UNM has a talented core of backs and rotating them in and out should keep them fresh and wear out the SJSU defense in the 4^th quarter.

The road is tough going.

New Mexico’s last road win came nearly a year ago, a 50-14 win over UNLV, since then the Lobos have dropped five straight on the road. That is not good as the Lobos have four contests on the road remaining. The Lobos need to figure out how to win away from Albuquerque to be competitive in the Mountain West Conference.

Final Thoughts:

Heading into this season I gave this game to UNM as one they could win. Given what transpired to the Lobo offense last week, their inability to win on the road, and San Jose State’s sudden competitiveness in games (see Arkansas), this is suddenly an uphill battle more so than it was about four weeks ago. The Lobos really need to take advantage of the San Jose State run defense in this one. If they do, and that’s a big if, then I think the Lobos can pull one out. Expect a close one: New Mexico 34 San Jose State 31