The Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the first to kick off the bowl season, has produced some nail biters in the past match-ups. Two years ago, Arizona had a dramatic come-from-behind victory to beat Nevada 49-48. New Mexico is 1-1 on their home field for this bowl, with their last victory coming via a 23-0 shutout versus Nevada back in 2007. With an affordable $40 average ticket price and a do-able six-hour jaunt up I-25 N, we should expect a large Wildcat fan base to complement the raucous Lobos home crowd.
Bowl: Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Teams: Arizona Wildcats vs New Mexico Lobos
Date/Time: December 19, 2015 – 2 PM EST on ESPN
Location: University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM
Vegas Line/Total: Arizona -10 / O/U 64
Written by: Erik the Hun
6 – 6 Record – 6 – 6 Vs Spread Over – Under: 9 – 3 11/21/15 @ Arizona State L 37-52 L 6 O 66.5 | 7 – 5 Record – 6 – 6 Vs Spread Over – Under: 5 – 7 11/28/15 Air Force W 47-35 W 11 O 53.5 |
December 31, 2014 – Fiesta Bowl – Arizona 30 – 38 Boise State |
December 25, 2002 – Las Vegas Bowl – New Mexico 12 – 27 UCLA December 24, 2003 – Las Vegas Bowl – New Mexico 14 – 55 Oregon State December 30, 2004 – Emerald Bowl – New Mexico 19 – 34 Navy December 23, 2006 – New Mexico Bowl – New Mexico 12 – 20 San Jose State December 22, 2007 – New Mexico Bowl – New Mexico 23 – 0 Nevada |
ARIZONA OUTLOOK:
Arizona is entering this match-up losing four of their last five games of the season, but Rich Rodriguez has made it clear that he will still stay in Tucson and pass on South Carolina’s offer to set up shop in Columbia.
The Wildcats will finally be healthy when they take the field against New Mexico. Starting QB Anu Soloman and 2014 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the year Scooby Wright III, who both missed substantial time, will be available. Scooby Wright III was an absolute machine in 2014, churning out one of the most prolific defensive seasons in FBS history. He amassed 164 tackles, 31 of which went for a loss, 15 sacks and 5 forced fumbles! With a New Mexico Lobo team that runs the football 65 percent of the time, Scooby should have plenty of opportunities to show whether he is back to true form after missing 10 of 12 games this season.
Arizona’s leading rusher Nick Wilson, who has 736 yds, will also be ready for kickoff. Wilson’s team-leading 8 TDs and registering 100 yard games in 10 of his last 17, should be a perfect complement to the Wildcats’ attack.
Anu Solomon (2326 yds, 18 TDs and only 4 INTs) will also be back after suffering two concussions. His ability to avoid turnovers and his experience after a stellar 2014 season (3793 yds, 28 TDs and 9 INTs), is just what the doctor ordered for an Arizona offense that has struggled to regain its 2014 form.
Arizona’s defense is where the concern now lies. Outside of the top 100 in yards conceded (463.3 yds a game) and 35.7 points per contest, the “Desert Swarm” has been, shall we say, generous in 2015. Giving up 30+ pts in eight of nine contests has to be a major concern for a group that will be facing a Lobo team that averages 29.3 pts a game in 2015.
NEW MEXICO OUTLOOK:
New Mexico is entering Saturdays contest winning three of their last four, including a 47-point outburst to MW foe Air Force, to close out the season. New Mexico, in their third New Mexico Bowl appearance, will hope build on its 5 – 2 home record this year. There’s no secret what formula New Mexico uses to win football games. A stout red zone defense, ranked 4th nationally (68.2% inside the 20), and a heavy dose of the ground game (8th) nationally at 249.3 yards a game.
New Mexico uses three backfield mates to pile up yardage against the opposition. Senior RB Jhurell Pressley leads the way with 135-836 yds and 11TDs. He is complemented by Teriyon Gibson (132-766 yds and 6 TDs) and QB Lamar Jordan, who has managed to place third on the team of talented rushers to the tune of 126-672 yards and 6 TDs, while throwing for another 896 yards and 4 TDs. Those are three astounding rushers who achieved over 650 yards for the season.
New Mexico’s leading receiver Dameon Gamblin, although rarely targeted, has managed to catch 33 passes for a little under 400 yards and two scores. His ability to seal the edge, is why Bob Davie, former Notre Dame coach and now present New Mexico coach, loves to have him on the field.
New Mexico’s defense which is ranked 97th nationally, will certainly be tested with a healthy returning Wildcat offense. Now more than ever, the Lobos will rely on their bend-but-not-break defense, to accompany the clock management of their ground attack.
Matchup Analysis & Prediction
Analysis:
Vegas odds has this game set at Arizona -10. Expect New Mexico to try to keep this contest close with its formidable ground attack chewing up large chunks of the clock with sustained drives.
The Lobos’ defense will look to stay true to their modus operandi and hold the potent Wildcat offense to field goals in the Red Zone. Arizona will hope that all their returning starters on offense and defense will put enough talent back on the gridiron to get a victory on enemy soil.
Expect Scooby Wright III to be hawking on the Lobo’s three-headed monster. If Scooby can return to his form, his performance on Saturday could completely change the game and allow Arizona to have plenty of offensive opportunities. These opportunities, with the ball in the hands of so much returning talent, could make for a long day for a Lobos team that cannot afford to play from behind.
It will be a battle of wills on Saturday. Can the clock management of the New Mexico ground game out will the return of Mr. Everything Scooby Wright III, or will Scooby and the boys give the talented offense the chances they need to put enough points up and force New Mexico into a high-scoring affair?
This is why we should thoroughly enjoy the Bowl kickoff party in Albuquerque on Saturday.
Prediction:
To get further analysis and predictions from Ej the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun, check out our audio preview of the New Mexico Bowl using the audio file below…
