But for New Mexico, a win Saturday against Wyoming will be the step in the right direction for a program that has been at or near the bottom of college football for the past several years.
That fact isn’t lost on any of the players or head coach Bob Davie heading into Saturday’s regular season finale at University Stadium.
“Every game is super important, but just going out on a winning note for everyone, not only for the seniors. Yeah, that is something we want because it could be our last college football game; our last football game in general.†safety David Guthrie said. “Everyone wants to win but also for these young guys so they can lay a little more of the foundation for them to keep playing hard.â€
A win against Wyoming (4-7, 2-5 Mountain West) would give UNM its first home win of the year, and it would also give the Lobos two Mountain West victories in a season for the first time since 2008.
The Lobos (3-8, 1-5 MW) are favored by 4.5 points over the Cowboys. The last time UNM was favored this season was against in-state rival New Mexico State on Sept. 20.
“I said for Saturday, it’s like the Super Bowl for us. It’s a huge game,†Davie said. “Can we get up off the mat with all of our situations? That’s what it is.â€
Both UNM and Wyoming are coming off blowout losses to top-25 teams. The Lobos were shellacked 58-20 by No. 22 Colorado State, and the Cowboys were demolished 63-14 by No. 25 Boise State.
The Cowboys have a new head coach this year: Craig Bohl. The first-year head coach came from North Dakota State, where he won three straight FCS National titles (2011-13).
Bohl brought his power running scheme from NDS. The offense focuses on running the ball up the middle and using timely play action passes to catch the defense off guard.
Wyoming’s offense plays right into UNM’s major weakness on defense: rushing defense. The Lobos give up an average of 278 rushing yards per game, which ranks 122nd in the nation. The Cowboys earn an average of 151 rushing yards per contest (81st).
Cowboy starting quarterback Colby Kirkegaard may miss the game with an ankle injury that he suffered against the Broncos. Backup signal-callers Tom Thornton and Sam Stratton could see playing time. However, Davie said he believes that Kirkegaard will play.
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Freshman Brian Hill may have to carry Wyoming’s offense against UNM. Hill has rushed for 639 yards on the season and had three straight 100-yard games before the loss to Boise State.
“We’re getting ready for the freshman running back No. 8 (Hill),†Davie said. “He really does have a chance to be a star in this league.â€
Wyoming has also changed its defensive scheme from 3-4 to a 4-3. The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run this year, allowing 199 rushing yards per game (96th). UNM’s rushing offense has been unstoppable all season as it ranks fourth in the country, earning 316 yards a game.
Davie mentioned how Wyoming’s defensive end Eddie Yarbrough gave the Lobos trouble in last season’s 38-31 loss. The redshirt junior was named First Team All-Mountain West last season.
“They’re a solid defense. This is going to be both defenses fighting their butts off to stop the other teams running game,†Davie said.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS
Football vs. Wyoming
Saturday
1 p.m.
TV: ROOT Sports
