In 2015's edition of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the Arizona Wildcats (6-6) and New Mexico Lobos (7-5) will be matching up. Below, you can find the TV schedule, betting lines, a preview and prediction for the game.
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Location: University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
Betting Line: -8 Arizona; 65 O/U
New Mexico:
The Lobos have had a pretty successful season considering their recent history. Seven straight years without a winning record is not something the program wanted to get used to, but head coach Bob Davie is changing the culture down there.
While they aren't supremely talented, they are a gritty, hard-nosed team that has a dedication to the run and defense.
This season, three different players have at least 670 yards on the ground, and four have at least six touchdowns. The running back trio of Jhurell Pressley, Teriyon Gipson and Richard McQuarley have been dominant, accounting for 1,819 yards and 24 touchdowns. Quarterback Lamar Jordan has also added 672 yards and six TDs. That's nearly 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns between just those four players, and that's how the Lobos attack you.
Arizona:
Meanwhile, Arizona prefers a much more balanced attack. On the year, the Wildcats have 3,219 yards passing and 2,712 rushing. There's a nearly equal split of touchdowns, with 25 through the air and 27 on the ground.
Led by sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon, who has 18 TDs and just four INTs passing, Arizona has ultimately disappointed this year. At just 6-6, they barely qualified for a bowl game and had such high aspirations. But that's what happens when your defense is ranked 113th in the country, giving up 463.3 yards per game. Truly, that's embarrassing.
The question is, can they stop the run? Because if they can stop the run, they can stop New Mexico. Fortunately for Wildcat fans, this defense has been at least a little bit more respectable -- though not great -- at run defense. Arizona ranks 89th in run defense, giving up 188.5 rushing yards per game at a 4.42 yards per carry pace.
Will that be enough, though?
Prediction:
Arizona has a well-balanced, solid offense, and while the Lobos have improved this year, the defense is still only ranked 97th in the country, giving up over 400 yards per game themselves. The one advantage that New Mexico undoubtedly has is that they have the chance to control the pace of the game with their rushing attack. If they can create long drives and cap them off with touchdowns and keeping Arizona's offense on the sideline, the Lobos look pretty good in this one for a major upset.
Finals Score: New Mexico 31, Arizona 27
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