San Diego State Aztecs vs New Mexico Lobos Football Preview

For all of their struggles, stumbles and setbacks, the San Diego State Aztecs will find it hard to slip up in week 10 of the college football season. A team that has suffered through an immensely disappointing regular season and has found several equally excruciating ways to lose will get a breather on its schedule. No, San Diego State won’t get a bye week; it will get something much better: the promise of an easy win against one of the five worst teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

After starting the season 3-0, San Diego State has dropped three of its last four games and is just 4-3 on the season. Last week, the Aztecs were surprised by upstart Wyoming at home. San Diego State enjoys its only two weeks with consecutive home games as it hosts New Mexico (0-8).

Simply put, the Lobos are bad. Really bad. The hit television series “Breaking Bad” is filmed on scene in the state of New Mexico, right in Albuquerque, the city that the University of New Mexico calls home. How appropriate, therefore, that UNM’s football program is a walking mirror of Walter White’s life – it’s messy in all aspects, removed from any prospect of long-term health or wellness.

New Mexico has the worst defense in the country and an offense that is spiraling down as well. The Lobos have been outscored 160-7 in their last three games, mustering just over 300 yards a game while surrendering 510. It’s not a good thing for the Lobos that they have the worst rushing defense in the country at 260 yards per game allowed, as it will be there job to try and slow down the nation’s leading rusher in Ronnie Hillman. Hillman ran for 224 yards last week in San Diego State’s loss to Wyoming.

With the Aztec run game likely set to get its share, their passing game should also have a chance to refine itself against the Lobos. Ryan Lindley has shown NFL-caliber talent, but is only completing 50 percent of his passes this season. The senior could stand to step his game up and carry the Aztecs’ offense to the next level. Colin Lockett and Dylan Denso have both stepped up as main targets for Lindley, while tight end Gavin Escobar continues to produce despite a broken hand. New Mexico seems to have settled on B.R. Holbrook at quarterback after rotating he and Tarean Austin throughout the season. Holbrook has the better completion percentage at 60. Freshman Crusoe Gongbay has emerged as the primary running back for the Lobos, who rushed for 63 yards last week.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer