New Mexico State is looking to finish off one of the best college football seasons in program history against Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday.
The Aggies ended the regular season on an eight-game losing streak before losing in the Conference USA title game 49-35 against Liberty, which brought their record to 10-4.
After leading New Mexico State to its first bowl game since 2017 and just its second since 1960, head coach Jerry Kill helped the Aggies to their first 10-win in over 60 years, including a shocking road victory against Auburn as a 25-point underdog in November.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are limping into this game.
Fresno State has lost three straight games after a promising 8-1 start to the season.
The Bulldogs will also be without their head coach, Jeff Tedford, who stepped away from his duties earlier this month with health issues.
The health status of quarterback Mikey Keene, who dealt with injuries over the team’s last three contests, is also up in the air, although he is expected to start.
New Mexico State is also dealing with injuries behind center as quarterback Diego Pavia is dealing with a shoulder injury.
Like Keene, Pavia is likely to play, though.
The biggest game-changer on Saturday will perhaps be the crowd: The Aggies will be playing in what is essentially a home game.
Betting on College Football?
Las Cruces is just a three-hour drive from University Stadium in Albuquerque, where the Aggies beat the New Mexico Lobos 27-12 during Week 4 of the college football season.
Fresno State is getting a few points, but they come into this game with a clear coaching disadvantage and little momentum.
Take New Mexico State in front of what should be a lively, pro-Aggies crowd.
The pick: New Mexico State -3.5
ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7kGtmam5fqL2wvtOsZqedp2K6psTInKZmq6SWwaZ51axkn6qVqLuwedKtmK2dXaW%2FprDInKuip55iu6bDjKacsaGTpHqju9alZKiclKh6sbXCpKpo