Rogers' 10* Early Saturday Bowl EXTRAVAGANZA >> 75% NCAAF Run!
(NCAAF) UTSA vs. New Mexico,
Point Spread: 7.50 | -110.00 UTSA (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The New Mexico Bowl features a 6-6 Texas-San Antonio team appearing in its first-ever bowl game against an 8-4 New Mexico team in its 12th bowl game and in this New Mexico Bowl for the fourth straight time. The Lobos get to play on their home field, just like in 2006, 2007 and 2015. The Roadrunners, of C-USA, beat Charlotte 33-14 in their regular-season finale to earn a bowl invitation in their sixth season of play, matching the FBS earliest-bowl-bid record shared by South Alabama (2014) and Georgia State (2015). Meanwhile, the Lobos of the MWC will be making their second straight and fourth overall New Mexico Bowl appearance in the 11-year history of this post-season contest.

Texas-San Antonio: UTSA not only won its final game of the regular season but five of its last eight games to finish second in C-USA's West Division. Head coach Frank Wilson is in his first year with UTSA and knows more than a little about potent rushing attacks, as he was the running backs coach at LSU under Les Miles for five years before landing in San Antonio. The Roadrunners play a physical brand of football with the goal of dominating in the trenches, hallmarks of Wilson's LSU teams. The Roadrunners rely on a potent one-two RB combo in Jarveon Williams, the Roadrunners' all-time leading rusher, and Jalen Rhodes. Williams has 775 yards (4.1 YPC & 8 TDs) and Rhodes 756 yards (5.3 YPC & 9 TDs). QB Strum is no better than average, completing 58.2% for 2,052 yards with 18 TDs and five INTs. The defense allows 28.3 PPG.

New Mexico: While UTSA is a good rushing team, New Mexico owns the nation's top rushing offense, averaging 360.9 YPG. Bob Davie's team worries little about the pass, averaging 109.3 YPG through the air, to rank 127th of 128 teams. Talk about 1-2 punches, Gipson has run for 1,209 yards (9.2 YPC & 12 TDs) and Owens for 1,084 yards (8.1 YPC & 7 TDs). Those two have the flashy numbers but McQuarley (588 yards) has a team-high 16 rushing TDs! Lamar Jordan and Austin Apodaca have shared time at QB but the Jordan is the more potent rushing threat. Defensively, New Mexico struggles, allowing 32.4 PPG.

The pick: New Mexico has gone 5-1 SU (just 3-3 AT) at home, averaging 44.5 points and 445.8 rushing yards per game on its home field but watch out for the Roadrunners. UTSA hung with Colorado St. on the road during the regular season (lost 23-14)and at home vs. Arizona St, losing just 32-28 as three-TD underdogs. BTW...The Lobos' 2007 New Mexico Bowl win over Nevada stands as the school's only bowl victory since 1961. New Mexico will be happy with any kind of a win. Take the points and make UTSA a 10* play.