Texas A&M Football: Schedule Preview – New Mexico

Texas A&M Football Matchups against New Mexico

It’s hard to look at these rosters and see a position group where the Aggies don’t  have the advantage in this game. For example, the Lobos averaged 4.92 yards per pass attempt and 3.4 yards per rushing attempt last season. Their yards per game total was only 228.1, with 3.9 yards per play. On the defensive side, they allowed 7.60 yards per pass attempt and 4.1 yards per rush, with a total yardage allowed per game of 360.2 (5.5 YPP). The fact that these marks that came largely against Mountain West competition makes them look even worse.

The Lobos forced 18 turnovers last year, tied for 69th in the country with a whole slew of teams. Surprisingly, they had a positive margin for the year, only turning it over 14 times themselves. This +4 margin was good for T-38th in the country. The Aggies, for comparison, were -1 on the year (forcing 16 and losing 17, including a whopping 11 lost fumbles). Taking care of the ball is always vital, and, while it didn’t translate to wins for the Lobos last year, if they take care of the ball and turn the Aggies over, they could make things uncomfortable.

One area where the Aggies could have the most outsized advantage is their defensive line against the Lobo offensive line. UNM is coming off a year where they ranked fifth-worst in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up 3.58 per game. We all expect the Texas A&M defensive line to take a huge step forward in 2023, and this first game would be a great place to show out and establish themselves.

Texas A&M Football vs New Mexico Prediction

This one is a pretty easy win prediction. The Aggies should not have trouble with New Mexico. The real question is whether the Aggies cover!

37.5 points? Sure, why not? Petrino shows off in his first game calling plays. Evan Stewart puts up 300 yards. Walter Nolen gets 5 sacks. I don’t know, it’s 100 days until the season. I can predict whatever I want.

Let’s go with Texas A&M Football winning 64-0 at least. Set a new record! Sorry Dana X. Bible!

Next week we’ll cover Miami.