New Mexico State Aggies 2011 College Football Preview: Tyrone’s Free Western Athletic Conference Analysis
unfriendly middle part of the schedule has New Mexico State’s bowl dreams unlikely to become a reality.
2011 NCAA Football Preview: Western Athletic Conference- New Mexico State Aggies
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2-10, 1-7 New Mexico State eager to try improving their win/loss mark in 2011. College Football Odds
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Introduction: The 117th-most prolific offense and 115th-best defense in terms of points isn't the best recipes for a winning year. The New Mexico State Aggies' 2010 football season was only 2-10, 1-7 with those futile numbers. New Mexico State has six home games and seven road games this year with none of their home dates occurring in successive weeks. Two road trips incur for the Aggies with a Mountain West and Western Athletic Conference opponent in back-to-back weeks. After starting with some manageable games, the middle of the season is compounded by an intense workload that could crush their bowl hopes.
Offense: Every offense needs a quality quarterback. New Mexico State had one with senior Matt Christian (threw 1,372 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions in 2010) while sophomore Andrew Manley (threw 604 yards, one TD and six INTs in 2010) still needs to be groomed. Together along with sophomore Tanner Rust the Aggies were 99th in passing at 167.4 yards was possible last year. Without wide receivers Marcus Allen and Kyle Nelson who graduated, New Mexico State will need seniors Todd Lee and Taveon Rogers to raise their games immensely.
Defense: Returning starters include seniors linebacker Boyblue Aoelua, strong safety Donyae Coleman, defensive end Pierre Fils and defensive back Jonte Green. Young guns sophomores LB Dylan Davis played in 12 games, DB Darien Johnson started 11 of 12 games last season and SS Josh Smith played in half of the games. Junior LB B.J. Adolpho may be the straw that stirs the New Mexico State drink on defense. Last year Adolpho averaged 6.4 tackles a game, which was 15th in the WAC. He had a season-high 13 tackles on Nov. 13 at 5-7, 4-4 Louisiana Tech.
Special Teams: Sophomore SS Davis Cazares was a key contributor on kickoff and punt coverages for the Aggies. Junior DB Jeremy Harris had a fumble recovery and three interceptions in 2010 while returning five kickoffs for 91 yards last year and 218 return yards in 2009 at East Los Angeles Junior College. Harris should see some action defensively as well on kickoffs for New Mexico State who returns junior Tyler Stampler. Handling extra points, field goals and kickoffs last season, Stampler made 16-of-19 FGs and 18-of-19 XPs. He was 11-of-12 inside 40 yards on FGs. Sophomore punter Jake Capraro took over punting duties for good on Oct. 1 of last year against 12-1, 7-1 Boise State. A 36.9-yard average will need to improve or the Aggies may turn to another kicker to take over this season.
Expectations: To say New Mexico State's 2011 schedule is an uphill climb would be putting it lightly. Considering their 2010 record and the opponents lined up this year, if the Aggies aren't 3-2 in their first five games they'll undoubtedly have a losing record with only two more winnable games on paper at the very end of the season. New Mexico State's first five games are 8-5, 6-2 Ohio, at 3-9, 2-6 Minnesota, 6-7, 3-5 UTEP, at 2-10, 1-7 San Jose State and at 1-11, 1-7 New Mexico before brutality hits quickly with very brief relief at the end of the year with the regular-season finale against 4-8, 2-6 Utah State.
