The opening week of the college football season is finally here. Week 1 sees the Incarnate Word Cardinals on the road to face the New Mexico Lobos of the Mountain West Conference. We spoke with the guys over at Barstool UNM (@BarstoolLobos) to help us preview the matchup by answering a few questions about the Lobos. So let’s dive right in, shall we?
- 1- (1A210) Okay, so I’ve got to ask this first off. New Mexico is known for its beautiful mountains and scenery but we have to talk about the weather. What’s it like playing a football game in 80-something degree weather as opposed to the 90-plus in Texas?
(BSUNM) The only thing I can say about the weather here is that it’s absolutely unpredictable. We’ve had about every game time weather possible. One year, we were playing Nevada, and it was probably 75 degrees at kickoff. By halftime, it was hailing and we were on an hour and a half delay for lightning.
- 2- A year ago, the Lobos finished the season 3-9 overall but two of those three wins came at home. What is it about Dreamstyle Stadium that makes it a great atmosphere?
Honestly, I think it was more about our performance as a team rather than the atmosphere at Dreamstyle Stadium. Our two wins were against Abilene Christian, who struggled against us immensely, and Air Force who hasn’t been able to stop our run attack in the past few years. We’re in a struggling time right now in ticket sales. I started this Barstool viceroy as a way of promoting UNM from a student’s perspective as a way of reaching out to students and getting them more excited, not only about football but Lobo Athletics in general.
- 3 – This will be the first-ever meeting between UIW and New Mexico. What is your prediction for the game?
I won’t give a prediction of the outcome of the game, but I will predict that we will get to see all three quarterbacks for UNM (Coltin Gerhart, Tevaka Tuioti, Sheriron Jones) to be able to showcase their skills as they fight for the starting position.
- 4 – Tell us something we should know about the Lobos.
2017 Team Results:
Incarnate Word Cardinals – finished 1-10; 10th in the Southland Conference
New Mexico Lobos – finished 3-9; 11th in Mountain West Conference
All-Time History
This will be the first-ever meeting between New Mexico and Incarnate Word.
The Matchup
Incarnate Word Cardinals (0-0) at New Mexico Lobos (0-0)
Dreamstyle Stadium
Kickoff 6 p.m. Central Time
Where to Watch:
ESPN 3
Keys To Victory
History is not on the Cardinals side as they are just 3-6 in season-opening games all-time. If UIW wants to start the Eric Morris era off on the right foot, they will need to be strong defensively against a passing game in New Mexico that looks to improve. Meanwhile, on offense, the Cardinals will need to pound the football and open up their passing game.
Game Prediction
Incarnate Word – 17
New Mexico – 14
