New Mexico State Aggies at New Mexico Lobos: Rio Grande Rivalry Preview. Who Will Claim Interstate Dominance?

Date/Time: September 11, 5 p.m.

Location: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

TV: Stadium

Radio: 99.5 KXPZ

Betting Line: New Mexico -21.5

Series History: New Mexico leads 72-33-5

New Mexico State Preview

One of the oldest rivalries in all of college football returns this weekend, as the 0-2 New Mexico State Aggies head north to Albuquerque on Saturday to take on their 1-0 arch rival New Mexico Lobos in the Rio Grande Rivalry.

In a series that dates back farther than the actual state both schools reside in, the 111th edition will arrive with an excitement not seen in a long time after the game was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

That cancellation means that it will be the first meeting between head coaches Doug Martin and Danny Gonzales. It will also be the first time the Aggies face a quarterback with SEC experience, as Terry Wilson transferred to New Mexico from Kentucky this offseason.

Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images

Wilson had quite a debut against Houston Baptist, starting 13-13 and throwing for three TDs in the first half. He finished the game 20-26 for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Making matters worse is that NM State will again be without captain and starting linebacker Trevor Brohard who is out due to COVID. Fortunately the rest of the starting defense should be able to play.

While the Aggie D looked tough in the first half against SDSU, Saturday’s opponent will be a different animal.

The offensive side of the ball is where things get interesting, as the Aggies will be without many players including:

• Wideout Dominic Gicinto who is out for the season with a broken arm
• Backup QB Weston Eget who will be out for a few weeks with a knee injury
• Wideout Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda has been out due to COVID and won’t return until Friday

Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Making things trickier is the fact that third string QB Trevor Appleman has been out with COVID too and is having to be brought up to speed quickly.

Meanwhile, the Aggies will also have two new starters on the offensive line, as the depth chart shows Stephawn Townsend at right tackle and Carson Pharris at right guard.

New Mexico Preview

New Mexico is looking to start a season 2-0 for just the second time in the last 22 years and the first time in 16 years. How will they get that done? It’s safe to say that defense will have a big part in it.

Defensive coordinator and former SDSU head coach Rocky Long is back in Albuquerque and he has what looks to be a top notch defense already, as they logged five sacks last week against Houston Baptist—all of them by separate players.

Overall the Lobo defense also only surrendered 187 total yards including -9 yards rushing while also forcing nine punts and three turnovers.

Safety Tavian Collins played a big role in that, logging 12 tackles, a forced fumble, two pass break ups and an interception.

Between the defense and new QB Terry Wilson the Aggies will have their hands full.

Prediction

Lobos 38

Aggies 21