San Diego State vs. New Mexico prediction
- Game Date: Friday, November 8, 2024
- Game time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Location: San Diego, California
- Venue: Snapdragon Stadium
- TV channel: Fox Sports 1
- Live stream: Fubo (Watch Now!)
The San Diego State Aztecs (3-5) will host the New Mexico Lobos (3-6) on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Snapdragon Stadium in a Mountain West Conference showdown. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on Fox Sports 1.
The Aztecs enter as slight favorites, with a 3-point advantage, while the projected total points for the game is 66.5.
The Lobos got a rough start this season, dropping their first four games to Montana State, Arizona, Auburn, and Fresno State.
However, they rallied with a three-game win streak over New Mexico State, Air Force, and Utah State before falling to Colorado State.
Darryl Webb, Associated Press
In their recent matchup against Wyoming, the Lobos held a 45-35 lead entering the fourth quarter but ultimately lost a heartbreaker, 49-45, after conceding two unanswered touchdowns.
The New Mexico Lobos come into their next game with a 3-6 record. In their latest matchup, they fell short in a close 49-45 battle against the Wyoming Cowboys.
Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception, leading the ground attack with 207 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
New Mexico’s run game was strong. The team totaled 412 yards on 29 carries and averaged 14.2 yards per rush.
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Overall, the Lobos managed 576 yards on 60 plays. Defensively, New Mexico allowed 342 passing yards on 20 completions (69% completion rate) and surrendered 262 rushing yards on 54 attempts (4.9 yards per carry).
The Lobos currently average 34.8 points per game and rank 9th in the nation in rushing yards, putting up 230.9 yards per game.
Their offense has accumulated 4,321 yards, with ten passing touchdowns and 27 rushing touchdowns.
They have achieved 220 first downs but have incurred 90 penalties for 749 yards. Turnovers have been an issue, with 18 giveaways this season.
Defensively, New Mexico has struggled, ranking 121st nationally in passing yards allowed (2,296 yards total and 255.1 per game) and 131st in total defense, allowing 492.3 yards per game.
They’ve given up 20 passing touchdowns and 26 on the ground, with opponents rushing for an average of 5.8 yards per carry and 237.2 yards per game.
The Lobos rank 132nd in points allowed, conceding an average of 40.8 per game.
The San Diego State Aztecs enter this matchup with a 3-5 record for the season. They fell to Boise State 56-24 in their most recent outing.
San Diego State comes off a tough 56-24 loss to Boise State, where quarterback Danny O’Neil threw for 155 yards, completing 14 of 30 attempts with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Marquez Cooper led the ground game with 94 yards on 16 carries, adding a touchdown, while receiver Jordan Napier caught eight passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Against Boise State, the Aztecs struggled, trailing 35-10 by halftime and ultimately suffering a 56-24 defeat.
Quarterback Danny O’Neil threw for 155 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Marquez Cooper led the ground game with 94 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
The Aztecs managed 256 yards on 56 plays, averaging 4.6 yards per play. They gained 101 yards on the ground on 26 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt.
Defensively, San Diego State allowed Boise State 219 rushing yards on 46 carries (4.8 yards per carry) and a 76.5% completion rate, with 322 yards on 26 of 34 passes.
Currently, the Aztecs average 329.5 yards per game, ranking 115th nationally. Their rushing offense has contributed 986 yards for the season (123.3 per game), with a passing game averaging 206.3 yards per game, ranking them 85th in the nation.
Photo courtesy of Sportsline
Offensively, they’ve struggled with penalties, totaling 676 yards on 74 infractions, ranking 6th in the country for penalties.
They’ve thrown six interceptions and lost one fumble, achieving 135 first downs this season. San Diego State averages 22.5 points per game, placing them 107th in scoring.
On defense, the Aztecs concede 27.6 points per game, ranking 87th in Division 1. They’ve allowed 1,336 rushing yards across nine games (167.0 per game) and 13 rushing touchdowns.
In the air, opponents have averaged 229.8 passing yards per game, with 15 passing touchdowns allowed.
Overall, the Aztecs have given up 221 points this season. Their defense has been on the field for 588 plays, placing them 89th nationally, and they’ve secured four fumble recoveries and six interceptions.
San Diego State opened the season with a win over Texas A&M-Commerce but lost its next three games to Oregon State, California, and Central Michigan.
The Aztecs won against Hawaii and Wyoming before losing again to Washington State on October 26.
The Lobos also had a narrow loss in their last game, falling 49-45 to Wyoming, a game in which the Lobo Defense took a beating.
Wyoming QB Kaden Anderson throws for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns in their first career start against the Lobos Saturday.
RB Harrison Waylee adds 170 rushing yards in the ’24 debut. Jaylen Sargent snags six balls for 186 yards and a score in a 49-45 road win at New Mexico.
Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception, rushing for an impressive 207 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back from their recent losses, and given each team’s recent high-scoring performances, this game promises an exciting offensive battle.
Although both teams want to bounce back, this is a challenging game to call. Based on the numbers, both have some glaring weaknesses.
Look for the team that wins the turnover battle. To play solid on both sides of the ball and win this game, home-field advantage would have to favor the Aztecs.
I would have to give the Lobos the advantage because of Devon Dampier. I’m not sure the Aztecs can contain him from the big plays; he is that good.
The team that plays the most balanced, limits costly penalties at the wrong time, and plays just plays smart football will win this game.