| New Mexico is hoping that it can turn things | | | | Defense: |
| around in the second year under head coach Mike | | | | The Lobos struggled to keep opposing teams |
| Locksley, as the Lobos went just 1-11 in 2009, | | | | from putting up a bunch of points last season, as |
| with their only win coming late in the season | | | | they allowed nearly 36 points a game last season. |
| against Colorado State. The Lobos 1-7 mark in | | | | This year they have just six starters back on this |
| the Mountain West Conference gives them just | | | | side of the ball, so it's hard to expect a huge |
| three wins combined in conference play the last | | | | improvement on this side of the ball. |
| two years. Heading into the 2010 season the | | | | The good news is the Lobos will be strong up |
| Lobos will have just 11 starters back, so it is hard | | | | front, as they have three starters back from last |
| to imagine a huge turnaround. Here is quick | | | | season. Junior defensive ends Jaymar Latchison |
| breakdown of what the Lobos will send to the | | | | and Johnathan Rainey are a force on the outside, |
| field this season, plus my prediction on where | | | | as they combined for 14 sacks last season. At |
| they finish up the year in the MWC. | | | | defensive tackle the Lobos bring back senior |
| Offense: | | | | peter Gardner, but will have to find a new |
| The Lobos must find a new starting quarterback | | | | teammate for him in the middle. The early |
| to run the new up tempo offensive installed last | | | | candidate to take over is Illinois transfer Reggie |
| year, and it looks like it will be between a couple | | | | Ellis. |
| of freshmen in Tarean Austin and Stump | | | | The only starter back at linebacker is junior middle |
| Godfrey. Both were handpicked by Locksley, so | | | | linebacker Carmen Messina, who led the Lobos |
| you have to believe they have a decent chance | | | | with 162 tackles last season, and there is no |
| at putting up better numbers at the quarterback | | | | question that Messina is one of the top |
| position this season. | | | | linebackers in the MWC. As for the two outside |
| The Lobos struggled to get much going on the | | | | spots, look for senior Terel Anyaibe and |
| ground last year, as they averaged just 100 | | | | sophomore Joe Stoner to step in and win the |
| yards a game. The Lobos used a number of | | | | starting jobs. |
| backs to get the job done in 2009, but the top | | | | The Lobos have some experience back in the |
| performer was freshman Demond Dennis, who | | | | secondary this season, as they return the starting |
| had 427 yards and three scores. I look for Dennis | | | | corner duo of junior Anthony Hooks and |
| to take over the majority of the load this season, | | | | sophomore Emmanuel McPhearson. The problem |
| and I think it results in a big improvement in the | | | | is they are the only starters back, as the Lobos |
| running game. | | | | must replace both starters at safety. The Lobos |
| The Lobos top threat in the passing game was | | | | gave up 254 passing yards a game last season, |
| also a freshman starter, as sophomore to be Ty | | | | and it's hard to imagine a big improvement with |
| Kirk led the way with 36 catches for 427 yards | | | | two new starters to protect the opposing teams |
| and two scores. With a new quarterback that | | | | from going deep. |
| better fits what the offense is trying to do, I look | | | | MWC Prediction -9th: Hard to imagine huge |
| for Kirk to only improve on those numbers in | | | | improvement from the Lobos this season, but I |
| 2010. Seniors Chris Hernandez and Bryant Williams | | | | do think they will be more competitive than they |
| will be added to mix at the other two open spots, | | | | were a year ago. Just looking at their schedule |
| as both were a solid part of the offense in 2009. | | | | they don't have a lot of winnable games, as they |
| The offensive line has to be a concern for the | | | | are likely to go 0-4 in non-conference play again |
| Lobos heading into the 2010 season, as they have | | | | this season with the likes of Oregon, Texas Tech, |
| just two starters back from the 2009 season. | | | | and Air Force on their schedule. |
| The good thing is they both come on the left side | | | | For a complete look at how the rest of the MWC |
| of the line, so they should be able to do a good | | | | will play out this season, check out our 2010 MWC |
| job protecting whoever wins the starting | | | | predictions. |
| quarterbacks job on the blind side. Still the Lobos | | | | If you plan on betting the college football odds this |
| are going to need the three new starters to play | | | | season, be sure to stop back each week for our |
| well, or the running game could actually take a hit | | | | expert college football picks. |
| this season. | | | | |
