2009 New Mexico Football Predictions

Written July 1, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009 New Mexico Football Predictions Mike Locksley is one of three new head coaches you will be seeing in the MWC this season. He takes over for the New Mexico Lobos after a 4-8 season in 2008 that ended with four consecutive losses. The Lobos did give Utah a scare in a 13-10 setback behind a great defensive effort. That’s why it’s a little curious why Locksley is trying to fix this defense because it certainly wasn’t broke. The offense can’t help but improve after finishing 94th nationally with 21.1 points/game. There will be plenty of tape ready for UNM to review when MWC play begins, but the Lobos will have an element of surprise in store for their opponents with unfamiliar systems on both sides of the ball. NCAA football odds for futures betting are now posted. Sign up for a new account at Sportsbook.com and get started!

Offense: Former head coach Rocky Long made his living at New Mexico with defense and a strong running game, putting a 1,000-yard rusher on the field for seven consecutive seasons. Now, long-time Ron Zook assistant Mike Locksley takes over a program in need of a drastic fix. He is a former offensive coordinator and he’s known for his national recruiting reputation. He’ll quickly try and update the Lobos’ offense. A no-huddle attack was installed in the spring. Quarterback Donovan Porterie, who is returning from an ACL injury, was kept out of contact drills during spring practice. Porterie looks to regain his 2007 form, a season that saw him throw for 3,006 yards. Sophomore quarterback Brad Gruner played well at times during his eight starts last season.

James Wright figures to handle the running back spot after recording two 100-yard games last year as a third-stringer. Redshirt freshman A.J. Butler made his move up the depth chart in the spring and he’ll push Wright for carries. The best player at his position may be center Erik Cook, who is a big candidate for postseason honors. He’ll be joned by tackle Byron Bell who is coming off an outstanding freshman year. No receiver put up big numbers last year because of the quarterback situation, but all three starters return in hopes of making big plays under the new system. Locksley says there will be many two-back formations, with changing up tempo being a priority in the no-huddle attack.

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Defense: Long’s 3-3-5 defense departs with him to SDSU, where he’ll be the Aztecs’ new defensive coordinator. New UNM coordinator Doug Mallory, most recently with the LSU Tigers, is installing a more conventional 4-3 scheme. New Mexico has been known for their aggression on defense, and that won’t change this season. The Lobos lose all three starters on the defensive line, but there’s still plenty of experience and junior college transfer Pete Gardner is expected to make an immediate impact. The scheme change will leave the Lobos lacking depth along the line, though.

Clint McPeek was a playmaker last season in the old “Lobo” hybrid position, registering 101 tackles and deflecting nine passes. But he missed spring ball with two knee surgeries and is questionable for the start of the season. Senior safeties Ian Clark and Frankie Solomon will have to carry the secondary after the team lost its two starting cornerbacks from a year ago.

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