New Mexico Lobos 2016 Football Preview
NEW MEXICO LOBOS
Mountain West Conference – Mountain Division
2015 Record – 7-6
ATS – 7-6
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Mountain Division #4
Conference #6
2015 Recap
What a job by Bod Davie. The Lobos had their first winning record – and first winning home record -since 2007 when they went 9-4 under Rocky Long. Davie made everyone forget the MAGIC of the Mike Locksley era (2-26 over 3 seasons) as they won seven games and gave Arizona all they could handle in the New Mexico Bowl (lost by 8). They also managed to beat Boise St on the road as 30 point underdogs along the way. The Lobos will benefit from the extra bowl practices and begin the 2016 season full of confidence.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
New Mexico is only one of three teams that have finished in the top 10 in rushing each of the past four seasons. Last season they had a bit of a down year for them (9th in NCAA) after three straight years of 300+ yards per game. The Lobos should hit the top 10 again this season with electric QB Lamar Jordan behind the controls and a decent set of RBs. The offensive line returns only two starters and they will have to gel quickly with some tough games on deck in the first half of the schedule. New Mexico is still able to hit some big plays in the passing game (6th in NCAA in yards per completion in 2015) and return their top two guys this season. If the offensive line is just equal to last season’s version – look for the Lobos to score over 30 points per game.
DEFENSE
The Lobos defense has a lot of potential this season. They made really nice strides in 2015 giving up over a TD less per game (28.4) vs 2014 (35.9) and they return TEN starters for the 2016 season. There is still a lot of work to be done as they were still shredded at times but this defense definitely appears to be in the top half of the stop units in the Mountain West. The front 7 looks solid with a lot of seniors including leader tackler LB Dakota Cox. If they can record 30 sacks again this season that would do a lot to help get the Lobos to another bowl game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This could be a problem area. Gone is outstanding return man Carolos Wiggins and a terrific punter Zack Rogers. PK Jason Sanders returns and he only hit one FG outside of 29 yards last year (1/4 from 30+ yards) in a part-time role.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 8.5
MEGALOCKS says:
The Lobos have not had a losing season ATS under Bob Davie’s watch. That is pretty impressive especially considering what he had to work with when he took the job. Any team that can run the ball as well as New Mexico has a shot to cover every week. The offensive line coming together quickly is the key to the offense. The weapons are there.
Overall, we give the LOBOS an 8.5 ATS Value Rating (Excellent) this season. New Mexico will bring a very experienced defense to the table this season to supplement a strong ground game. They also have some diversity at QB with the Jordan and Apodaca combination. If the defense does indeed live up to expectations with another step forward the Lobos will be well poised to be a point spread covering machine.
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http://www.golobos.com/index.aspx?path=football
Forum
http://www.scout.com/college/new-mexico/forums/2466-the-red-menace-zone
News
http://bleacherreport.com/new-mexico-lobos-football
http://www.mwcconnection.com/new-mexico-lobos-football
http://www.abqjournal.com/category/sports/unm-lobos
https://twitter.com/NewMexicoFB (@NewMexicoFB)
https://twitter.com/Burquerick (@Burquerick) Rick Wright