Need a brief primer before you attempt to watch all 40 bowl games this season? We’ve got you covered. Here are three things you need to know about the New Mexico Bowl.
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Texas San Antonio (6-6) vs. New Mexico (8-4)
Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ET
ESPN
– New Mexico has played in three bowls since 2006 — all in its own stadium in the New Mexico Bowl. The Lobos lost last year to Arizona and to San Jose State in 2006, but knocked off Nevada (the program’s first bowl win since 1961) in 2007. They’ll do it again this year against UTSA, which is playing in its first-ever bowl game in its sixth season as a D-I program.
– Expect a lot of running in this one. Like, a ton, actually. New Mexico runs a triple option offense and leads the nation by averaging 361 yards rushing per game and 6.8 yards per rush. The Lobos boast two 1,000-yard rushers — Teriyon Gipson (1,209 yards, 12 TDs) and Tyrone Owens (1,084 yards, 7 TDs) — who average more than eight yards per carry. On top of that, speedy quarterback Lamar Jordan has 658 yards and Richard McQuarley has a team-leading 16 touchdowns.
UTSA boasts its own solid one-two punch in the form of senior Jarveon Williams, the program’s all-time leading rusher, and sophomore Jalen Rhodes. The two have combined for 1,883 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. However, if UTSA gets down early and is forced to throw, New Mexico should be able to exploit an offensive line that has allowed 43 sacks, fourth-worst in the nation. As a team, New Mexico has 27 sacks.
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– The motivation level should be pretty high on both sides for this one. Sure it may be a bit underwhelming to play in your home stadium for a bowl, but New Mexico can reach nine wins for just the fifth time in program history with a win. Somewhat surprisingly, a win for the Lobos would be the first bowl win for head coach Bob Davie, who was 0-3 in bowl games during his time at Notre Dame.
For UTSA, a program that won a combined seven games over the past two years, winning a bowl would be a big deal, especially in just its fifth season at the FBS level. The Roadrunners have proven they can compete in Conference USA, but a bowl win would be a nice capper for first-year head coach Frank Wilson, who replaced Larry Coker after he retired.
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Mascot fight prediction: I just learned what a lobo is. Provided the lobo (a wolf!) could actually catch up with the roadrunner (I suggest some sort of sneak attack), it would have a nice feathery snack.
Real predictions:
Graham Watson: New Mexico 45, UTSA 17
Nick Bromberg: New Mexico 34, UTSA 27
Sam Cooper: New Mexico 41, UTSA 27
Chris Herbert: New Mexico 35, UTSA 14
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
