Former Rivals Fresno St & New Mexico St To Meet in New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State and New Mexico State To Meet For the First Time Since 2019 in the New Mexico Bowl
The New Mexico Bowl kicks off this upcoming Saturday. We’ve got the latest updates on lines, injuries, departures and weather right here:
While there was some movement in the odds when the pairing between Fresno State and New Mexico State was announced, it has been holding steady at 3.5 as one of the seven games being played on the first day of the bowl season is favoring a New Mexico State team playing close to home.
The total has remained at 51 as it is one of four games set for Saturday with a total over 50. Seven of New Mexico State’s games had a combined total of at least 50 points being scored, including the 49-35 loss to Liberty.
New Mexico State had 499 yards in the game but allowed 712 yards, the most since giving up 759 in a 2018 loss to Louisiana Lafayette. Fresno State has been held under 350 yards in each of its last three games.
Things have been pretty quiet in the last week regarding players from Fresno State and New Mexico State hitting the transfer portal.
New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia has shown up on the injury report with a shoulder injury. However, he told the media earlier this week that his shoulder is feeling fine, and he should be good to go in the game.
For Fresno State, tight end Tyler Carr, receiver Emoryie Edwards, and running back Damien Moore have all been sidelined for much of the season, and they won’t be playing in the New Mexico Bowl.
This is the fourth appearance in the New Mexico Bowl for Fresno State as the Bulldogs topped UTEP 31-24 in 2021. Fresno State lost to Colorado State in 2008 and to Wyoming in overtime in 2009.
While New Mexico has played in four New Mexico Bowl games, this is the first appearance in the game for New Mexico State.
Now, check out the rest of the New Mexico Bowl preview, originally published on December 8.
New Mexico State Is Favored To Pick Up Win No. 11 in New Mexico Bowl
Two teams that used to meet annually will meet for just the second time in the last 15 years when New Mexico State and Fresno State meet in the New Mexico Bowl. The 2023 New Mexico Bowl betting odds has New Mexico State listed as the favorite.
New Mexico State is coming off a loss to Liberty in the Conference USA title game, and the Aggies made some news with a win over Auburn out of the SEC. Fresno State was 8-1 before losing its last three games.
The college football betting lines have New Mexico State favored by three points after opening as just a one-point favorite. The total is 51.5, up a whole point from the opening number.
When breaking down the college bowl odds, keep in mind that New Mexico State joins Louisiana, UCLA, UTSA, South Florida, UCF, Troy, South Alabama, Texas State, Rice, North Carolina, Southern California, Texas A&M, Boston College, Memphis and Florida State as teams playing bowl games in their home states.
The last time these NCAA football teams met was in 2019 when Fresno State won 30-17 in the first meeting between the teams in more than 10 years.
New Mexico State came into the college football season sixth in the odds to win the Conference USA title while Fresno State was second only behind Boise State in the odds of winning the Mountain West title.
When looking at the NCAAF rankings, New Mexico received one vote in the latest American Football Coaches Association poll.
Aggies vs Bulldogs 
Day/Time:
Records: New Mexico State 10-4; Fresno State 8-4
Location: University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+
Aggies Set to Hit the Ground Running
After five seasons as an independent, New Mexico State made quite the impact in Conference USA with the only conference loss coming to Liberty.
A big part of the improvement has come in the running game, as the Aggies went from averaging 4.6 yards per carry to 5.8 yards per rushing attempt. Keep that in mind regarding the 2023 New Mexico Bowl betting odds.
Quarterback Diego Pavia, who will be playing in his hometown of Albuquerque, leads the team with 861 rushing yards. He has also thrown for 2,915 yards and 26 touchdowns.
New Mexico is 10-1 against the college football odds in its last 11 games.
Departures & Injuries
Quarterback Mikey Keene is expected to play for Fresno State while defensive back Cameron Lockridge, running back Damien Moore, offensive lineman Jacob Spomer and tight end Tyler Carr are out. Quarterback Logan Fife (642 passing yards), linebacker Tanner Blount and safety Chrishawn Gordon (22 tackles)
For New Mexico State, receiver Jordan Smith returned for the Conference USA championship game after missing the last nine contests. Defensive back Jeremiah Vessel has missed the previous four games, while defensive back Randy Robinson has missed 10 straight games, and linebacker Amari Pouncy hasn’t played since the Oct. 18 win over UTEP. Running back Larenzo McMillan hasn’t played since a Sept. 2 win over Western Illinois.
Can The Bulldogs Show Some Bite?
Fresno State relied on its offense during a 5-0 start, as the Bulldogs allowed an average of 282 yards per game and 93 rushing yards per game.
The numbers jumped to 459 yards and 222 rushing yards as Fresno State dropped four of the last seven games, and the three wins came by five, seven and seven points. That is something to consider when looking at the 2023 New Mexico Bowl betting odds.
One reason for the shift is that Fresno State is +13 in turnover margin in the eight wins and -3 in the four losses.
Fresno State is just 1-7 against the spread in its last eight games.
New Mexico State vs Fresno State Betting Preview
Fresno State scored the game’s first 24 points on the way to a 30-17 win as a 21-point road favorite.
The Bulldogs were in a position to cover with a 20-point lead with 4:22 left to play in the third quarter. However, New Mexico State had the only points in the fourth quarter.
The game fell under the 68-point total.
It was the first time the teams met since 2011, and it marked the seventh time in the last eight meetings that the game landed under the total.
Fresno State will try to get the running game going after running back Malik Sherrod ran for a season-high 138 in the regular season finale.
The Bulldogs also have five NCAAF players with at least 35 catches. Nine of the top 15 tacklers for New Mexico State are either freshmen or sophomores, so it remains to be seen if that inexperience will be evident in this NCAAF bowl matchup.
New Mexico State is among the national leaders with a 10-3-1 record against the spread this season, while Fresno State is just 4-8 against the college football betting lines this season.
Fresno State has covered in just one of its last three neutral-site games, with New Mexico State covering in its lone neutral-site contest during that time.
When making college football bowl predictions, keep in mind that nine of New Mexico State’s last 12 games have finished under the total.
New Mexico State is trying to win college bowl games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since capturing the Sun Bowl in 1959 and 1960. The total is set at 51.5 for this game.
For NCAAF betting news, NCAAF Scores, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
