Mountain West Football: 12 most important 2017 non-conference games
By Zach Bigalke
New Mexico somehow managed to lose to Rutgers last season. They up the degree of difficulty in their Power Five contest on this year’s schedule. What is also different this year is that we will know precisely where the Lobos sit in both the MWC and Group of Five races by the time they finally get around to their statement game.
Admittedly, the Lobos will have to play at American contender Tulsa in September out-of-conference play. But they also take on FCS Abilene Christian and state rival New Mexico State, both of which will do little to inspire College Football Playoff selectors. But it is their November 11 trip to Kyle Field that looms large on the schedule.
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By that time, New Mexico will have six of its eight MWC games out of the way. We will also know whether Kevin Sumlin is sitting on the hot seat at that point of the year. If the Lobos could upset the Aggies, it could spell the end of Sumlin’s time at A&M after such a promising start. More importantly for New Mexico, though, it would put them in key position for a major bowl invite if they are also in the Mountain West hunt.