New Mexico State football hoping to escape bottom of FBS in 2020

New Mexico State football is looking to make itself a more efficient team in 2020 by getting out of the bottom of the division one FBS teams.

The New Mexico Aggies were among one of the worst teams in the sport of college football in 2019. The track record has not been great for the Aggies ever since they transitioned out of the Sun Belt to become an independent.

In the past two seasons, the Aggies accumulated a 5-19 record including a 2-10 record this past season. Last season, their lone FBS win was their 44-35 victory at home over the UTEP Miners, who finished the season with a 1-11 record. Head coach Doug Martin expected the Aggies to perform the standards from their 2017 season when they finished 7-6 with a bowl win.

Instead, the Aggies underperformed on every area on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Martin and his coaching staff find themselves on the hot seats after two disappointing seasons. In seven seasons as head coach, Martin has only accounted for one winning season and no other season does the Aggies win more than three games.

It’s hard to recruit and win games at New Mexico State. The last time that the Aggies encountered a winning season was in the 2002 season when they finished with a 7-5 record. They have also found in a constant shift of joining and leaving conferences six times since 2000. That continuous shift from a conference and being independent can leave a program struggling.

There is potential for the Aggies to grow and outperform last season’s underwhelming season. For New Mexico State to potentially have a successful season, they will need to prepare their team and fill in the time left without a spring training due to the pandemic.

Despite a grueling schedule with some tough road games, the Aggies are determined to win more games this season. Look for the Aggies and coach Martin to compete for the fight of their lives this 2020 season.