New Mexico Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

New Mexico’s offense scheme is an option-based attack that pretty much guarantees they will be among the best rushing teams and worst passing teams in the FBS. Junior Cole Gautsche will likely be the starting quarterback. Gautsche is limited as a passer but he’s a dangerous runner, as evidenced by his 872 rushing yards in 2013.

The team returns every significant pass catcher from 2013, and has an offensive line made up entirely of juniors and seniors with starting experience. Crusoe Gongbay was in line to be the team’s starting running back but after being hit with some very serious legal charges, it looks unlikely that he will ever play another down for the Lobos.

That being said, New Mexico’s unique offense means whoever lines up in the backfield will likely have some success. All in all, this offense should probably be a little better than they were last year, particularly if Gautsche can grow as a passer.

New Mexico QB Cole Gautsche (Greg Sorber/Albuquerque Journal)

DEFENSE

The Lobos defense will be better in 2014, although it would be nearly impossible to not be. This is a team that gave up 45 or more points in half of their games last season. The lack of depth and legit FBS size on the defensive line was painfully obvious, as this team was gashed in the running game over and over again. New Mexico raided the junior college ranks this offseason in an attempt to beef up on the line and came away with three defensive tackles that are all over 300 pounds.

There are a lot of new starters in the front seven, but based on how that unit performed last season, that may not be a bad thing. Defensive End Brett Bowers was the best defensive player the Lobos had last year and he is coming back. The secondary was the better part of the defense last year, and all but one of the starters in that group return as well. The defense is unproven, but it looks like it should be better in 2014.

New Mexico 2014 – Better, worse or about the same as last year? 

When Bob Davie took over this program in 2012, he knew there was a long rebuilding process ahead of him. This was a program that had won three games in the three years prior to his arrival. The progress has been slow, but the Lobos are heading in the right direction.

With that being said, this year’s schedule isn’t very conducive to a big increase in wins. Most of the opponents that New Mexico won’t be a large underdog against are being played on the road, and their cross-division conference games don’t include Nevada or Hawaii, two weaker programs the Lobos could probably hang with. I think New Mexico will be a better team in 2014, but it may not make much of a difference in their win-loss record.

Prediction: 4-8

Nolan Lees is the author of our New Mexico Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more analysis and commentary about Mountain West Conference Football, please visit his blog at wrtym.blogspot.com and follow him on Twitter @NolanLees.