Respect the Process: New Mexico Lobo Football Should Be Livid Heading Into UNLV Showdown

“This is a game I had circled on my calendar in the preseason as a big game... I encourage everyone to get out and support this team – never have had the opportunity before to see an AP-ranked Lobo team play at University Stadium.”

— Coach Jason Eck

A great discovery took place in the Duke City Sunday to little fanfare: Legendary and reportedly deceased comedian Rodney Dangerfield is alive and well, and living at the University of New Mexico South Campus.

Because frankly, UNM is getting no respect.

The New Mexico football team is coming off what can only be surmised as a terrible 31-3 “squeaker” over Nevada in Reno last week.

It must have been terrible because the Lobos dropped from No. 22 to No. 23 in The Associated Press college football poll after the win. Apparently, UNM’s 28-point win AT Nevada on a short week following a previous road game (San Jose State) was far less impressive than No. 4 UCLA’s 27-point win over the Wolfpack AT HOME on Oct. 31.

The Bruins climbed in the rankings after that “much better” win.

After all they’ve accomplished so far this season, the Lobos (8-1, 5-0 Mountain West) should be seething as they enter Saturday’s home game against UNLV (5-4, 3-2). Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.

“This is a game I had circled on my calendar in the preseason as a big game,” coach Jason Eck said during his news conference Monday. “I encourage everyone to get out and support this team – never have had the opportunity before to see an AP-ranked Lobo team play at University Stadium.”

At least, oddsmakers are giving UNM its due as it is a 14-point favorite over one of the unofficial preseason conference favorites, the Rebels.

And by the way, maybe if the Mountain West had done a preseason poll over the summer and the Lobos emerged as the favorites then, they wouldn’t be getting stepped on in the national polls now.

So that’s back-to-back years the MW has messed with the Lobos. But I digress.

I can hear naysayers already lining up and saying, “we’re supposed to be impressed with a 70-7 win over "Lord have Mercyhurst?" A 61-7 over one-win UTEP? Struggling to beat three-win Hawaii?

Here’s the counterargument, hecklers.

When Eck said two weeks ago that his defense was playing at a “historic” level, he wasn’t joking.

Let’s count the ways UNM’s defense ranks in the national statistics.

·         No. 1 in scoring defense

·         No. 1 in total defense (yards allowed per game)

·         No. 1 in first-down defense (fewest allowed per game)

·         No. 1 in turnover margin

·         No. 1 in passes intercepted

·         No. 2 in turnovers gained

·         No. 2 in tackles for loss per game

·         No. 2 in fumbles recovered

·         No. 3 in rushing defense

·         No. 3 in team passing efficiency defense

·         No. 4 in defensive touchdowns

·         No. 8 in third-down defense

·         No. 9 in passing yards allowed

·         No. 13 in sacks

Look at how long this list is … and they still dropped in the rankings. Nor are they in the College Football Playoff rankings. I tell ya – they get no respect!

Not to mention that the defense has improved despite not having the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in Jaxton Eck for the majority of the season because of a shoulder injury  – though he may play Saturday.

Then there’s the Lobo offense. …

Oh, look at that – UNM is No. 15 in the country in rushing offense. No. 2 in the country in fewest fumbles lost.

Let’s get to the elephant in the room - pass offense. The Lobos rank 131st in passing yards per game. But they are middle of the road in passing efficiency – No. 60.

Sophomore quarterback Toa Fa’avae has had three pretty nice games – vs. New Mexico State, UTEP and Nevada. Remember, this was a guy who was supposed be the No. 3 guy coming into the season behind Jack Layne and Oregon transfer Luke Moga.

Fa’avae came from an option-oriented attack in high school. The learning curve has been steep, but he still has an 8-1 record as a starter. And in the one loss he suffered, his ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his feet actually earned him the starting job ever since.

UNLV is coming into Saturday's game with, perhaps, its own QB controversy. Alex Orji replaced Jackson Arnold in the second half vs. Wyoming last week. Orji rallied the Rebels from a 41-21 deficit to 41-35 before he threw a late interception that sealed UNLV’s fate.

The Lobos need two wins in their last games to make the MW Championship game that eluded them last year. If they win at Wyoming on Nov. 21 among the two victories, they’ll host the MW Championship game.

Maybe then, the national love will come?

Eck doesn’t get caught up in things he can’t control.

“We’re appreciative of the fans and the recognition we get for all the work we’ve done,” he said. “It’s rewarding, knowing that you’re appreciated and knowing you’ve made an impact in this community."

The message is loud and clear – the Lobos still have work to do to gain the same recognition on a national stage.

If they keep winning, hopefully, respect will come.

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