Week 1: New Mexico vs Maine 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The New Mexico Lobos and Maine Black Bears do battle Saturday afternoon in week 1 of college football action at University Stadium. The Maine Black Bears are coming off a 6-win season and enter the Jordan Stevens era. The New Mexico Lobos are coming off a 3-win season and enter the third year under coach Danny Gonzales.

The Maine Black Bears averaged 25 points and 337.9 yards per game last season. Maine allowed an average of 27 points and 386.9 yards per game last season. Derek Robertson returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,500 yards, 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Shawn Bowman and Jacob Hennie are a returning receiving duo that combined for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Freddie Brock led the Black Bears with 700 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Adrian Otero returns after 63 tackles, Khairi Manns had 3 sacks and Kahzir “Buggs” Brown led Maine with 3 interceptions. Maine has enough returning production on offense to be in good shape. The issue with Maine is the defense and if there’s enough here to be improved. If so, Maine has a chance at a winning season. 

The New Mexico Lobos averaged 12.2 points and 234.2 yards per game last season. New Mexico allowed an average of 28.4 points and 363.1 yards per game last season. Isaiah Chavez has a chance to become quarterback after 17 pass attempts last year. Luke Wysong and Trace Bruckler are a returning receiving duo that combined for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Bobby Wooden had 47 rushing yards on 22 carries. Defensively, Jerrick Reed II returns after leading New Mexico with 89 tackles, Ray Leutele had 4 sacks and Ronald Wilson had 2 interceptions. New Mexico was dead last in offensive yards per game last year, but there’s enough returning production and more experience to be improved on that side of the ball. If the Lobos can find stability at quarterback, this should be an improved season. If not, expect the struggles to continue for the Lobos.

The Black Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on grass. The Lobos are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games and 15-36 ATS in their last 51 games overall. The under is 8-0 in Black Bears last 8 games overall. The under is 6-1 in Lobos last 7 games overall.

The New Mexico Lobos aren’t a good FBS team and has serious questions heading into this season as well. I get it. However, you almost never see lines this soft between an FCS and FBS team, and it’s pretty much disrespectful toward the Lobos. It’s not like the Maine Black Bears are an elite FCS program. If New Mexico cant win this game by two touchdowns, it’s going to be a long, long season before it even starts. Give me the Lobos in a decent sized victory.