College football’s preseason bottom 10 of 2010: #5 New Mexico State
August 16, 2010 by John Stansberry
Filed under Uncategorized
If you watch the show “Breaking Bad,” you might assume that damn near everyone in the state of New Mexico is either dealing drugs or using them. But we know that can’t really be the case…can it?
I’m not going to make an assumption on an entire state based on a TV show, that’s just plain goofy. However, there is something I can say for certain about the Land of Enchantment: there’s some pretty bad college football being played there right now.
The New Mexico Lobos checked in at #8 on the bottom 10, and coming in at #5 on the list is the state’s other FBS program, New Mexico State (3-10, 1-7 in the WAC in ‘09).
Talk about a program desperately searching for an offensive identity. Tony Samuel’s option attack gave way to Hal Mumme’s air attack which has now given way to, well, I’m not quite sure what second year head coach DeWayne Walker is cooking up.
In his first season, NMSU finished dead last in the nation in total offense (229.3 ypg). So out went Timm Rosenbach as offensive coordinator, with the unit now in the hands of Mike Dunbar. He’ll have a tough chore getting this train wreck of a passing game fixed.
While the tossing the pigskin part of the equation is being addressed, tailback Seth Smith will get plenty of totes. He cleared the 1,000 yard barrier last season and is the closest thing to a stud that the offense has.
Naturally, when a team has trouble moving the ball, its defense in turn begins to wear down. And that’s exactly what happened to the Aggies last season. On third down conversion attempts between 1 and 3 yards, the opposition averaged 6.4 yards a rush on NMSU. That’s SIX POINT FOUR a pop. Ouch.
But I don’t think the news is all bad on that side of the ball. If the Aggies can achieve ANY kind of offensive success this season, the defense will benefit as a result. Cornerback Davon House might actually have an NFL future while defensive end Pierre Fils can blossom if he gets more interior help.
Why NMSU is in the bottom 10: There is no quick fix to be found at quarterback. As a team last season, NMSU failed to complete half its attempts and as a result finished last nationally in passing efficiency. Junior college transfer Matt Christian might be the answer, but who knows.
How NMSU can avoid the bottom 10: This is a tough one, because the schedule offers little early breathing room. The opener at home against San Diego State isn’t impossible, but that’s followed by trips to UTEP and Kansas and then a home date with Boise State. Any, and I mean ANY improvement in the passing game could translate into four or five wins…maybe.
Preseason bottom 10 of 2010: #6 Tulane
Preseason bottom 10 of 2010: #7 North Texas
Preseason bottom 10 of 2010: #8 New Mexico
