New Mexico vs. San Diego State, Both Teams Seek Bounce-Back Wins in Week 11
New Mexico Lobos vs. San Diego State Aztecs: Week 11 Preview and Prediction
Week 11 of the 2024 college football season brings a pivotal Mountain West Conference clash between the New Mexico Lobos and the San Diego State Aztecs. This Friday night showdown at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, features two teams that are each looking to bounce back from tough losses. The Aztecs, currently 3-5, are favored by 3 points, with a total over/under set at 66.5 points. This matchup promises plenty of drama, with both teams seeking redemption to improve their postseason prospects.
New Mexico Lobos: Heartbreaking Loss and Defensive Struggles
The New Mexico Lobos (3-6, 5-4 ATS) are coming off a devastating 49-45 loss to Wyoming last week. The Lobos had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter but let it slip away, losing despite a strong offensive showing. Quarterback Devon Dampier and running back Eli Sanders both turned in remarkable individual performances, but New Mexico’s porous defense couldn’t hold up.
Dampier, who has been a dual-threat for the Lobos this season, threw for 164 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also added 207 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, continuing his impressive running ability. Dampier has accumulated 2,243 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 745 yards and 13 touchdowns, showcasing his playmaking ability both through the air and on the ground.
Despite their offensive firepower, New Mexico’s defense has been a major liability. The Lobos rank 132nd in scoring defense, allowing an average of 40.8 points per game. They also rank 131st in total defense, surrendering 492.3 yards per game. Their inability to stop opposing offenses has been a key factor in their struggles this season.
Offensively, the Lobos have been explosive, ranking 27th in the country in scoring with an average of 34.8 points per game. They are also 7th nationally in total offense, averaging 480.1 yards per game. With Eli Sanders (205 yards, 2 TDs last week) leading the way on the ground, New Mexico’s offense can put up big numbers, but they’ll need to find a way to improve defensively if they hope to compete in the Mountain West.
San Diego State Aztecs: Searching for Consistency After Two Tough Losses
The San Diego State Aztecs (3-5, 4-4 ATS) are also coming off a disappointing loss, a 56-24 blowout at the hands of Boise State in Week 10. Prior to that, they narrowly lost to Washington State, 29-26. The Aztecs struggled on both sides of the ball against Boise State, being outgained 541-256 in total yards and falling behind 28-0 early in the second quarter.
San Diego State’s offense has been stagnant at times, averaging only 22.5 points per game, which ranks 107th nationally. Danny O’Neil, the freshman quarterback, has thrown for 1,395 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions through seven games. While O’Neil has shown flashes of potential, his performance against a tough Boise State defense was inconsistent. He finished the game with 155 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Running back Marquez Cooper has been the bright spot for the Aztecs, rushing for 842 yards and nine touchdowns on 185 carries this season. He will be crucial to the Aztecs’ chances of moving the ball against New Mexico’s defense. Cooper was the only consistent source of offense for SDSU in the loss to Boise State, rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, San Diego State ranks 88th in scoring defense, allowing 27.6 points per game. They’ve struggled particularly against the pass, ranking 86th in passing yards allowed per game (229.8) and 95th in rushing yards allowed (167.0). Despite these struggles, the Aztecs’ defense is capable of tightening up in critical situations, especially in red-zone scenarios. However, their inability to generate consistent pressure (ranked 82nd in sacks) and lack of turnover margin (109th) have contributed to their recent slide.
Conclusion
This matchup presents a clash of contrasting styles: New Mexico’s high-powered offense against San Diego State’s more balanced but struggling attack. While the Lobos have been prolific on offense, their defense has been a liability, which keeps opponents in games. On the other hand, San Diego State has had trouble getting anything going offensively and needs to improve its passing game and overall consistency.
Given that the Aztecs have dominated this series, winning nine straight games against New Mexico, and have the home-field advantage, San Diego State should have enough firepower to edge out a victory. However, New Mexico’s explosive offense, especially with Dampier and Sanders, could keep the game close. If the Lobos can find a way to slow down the Aztecs’ ground game and force O’Neil into mistakes, they have a legitimate chance to pull off the upset.
Unlock Winning Insights!
As New Mexico and San Diego State battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season!
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!
