New Mexico football hopes to carry late-season momentum into 2021

How will New Mexico football fare in 2021?

New Mexico has some tough games on the schedule, but I think that there are enough games for them to win to get back to the postseason.

The early schedule provides room for momentum to continue throughout the season.

• Game 1: Houston Baptist (W) — Lobos should start the season off with a big victory.
• Game 2: New Mexico State (W) — New Mexico should win comfortably against its in-state rival.
• Game 3: at Texas A&M (L) — The Aggies are hoping to contend for the SEC title and this game will be over relatively quickly.
• Game 4: at UTEP (W) — After losing to A&M, the Lobos should get back on track with a win over the Miners.
• Game 5: Air Force (L) — Having question marks at linebacker is not a good thing versus an option team like Air Force.
• Game 6: at San Diego State (L) — A road trip to San Diego will likely result in a loss for the Lobos.
• Game 7: Colorado State (L) — The Rams have a really good defense and will slow New Mexico down to get the win.
• Game 8: at Wyoming (L) — The Cowboys will be too tough of a test on the road at Laramie.
• Game 9: UNLV (W) — The Lobos will stop the losing streak and get a win over the Rebels.
• Game 10: at Fresno State (L) — Another tough road game will result in a loss, who should contend for the conference title.
• Game 11: at Boise State (L) — The Lobos can’t catch a break with playing the best teams in the conference on the road and it will result in another loss.
• Game 12: Utah State (L) — A toss-up game that will go to the Aggies to finish the season on a three-game losing streak.

Final Record: 4-8, 1-7 Mountain West

I think four wins would represent a step forward and there are some other games they could win to get them to a bowl game. Playing so many good teams in their conference on the road will catch up with them and that is why I can’t see New Mexico having a better record. This will be a competitive team throughout and I think there is going to be some improvement in New Mexico this season.