Though the Lobos look drastically outmatched, stranger things have happened in Mountain West play.
How to watch New Mexico vs. Fresno State: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
Can New Mexico knock off the BCS hopefuls?
Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
The key for New Mexico will be stopping Derek Carr, which few teams have done with any success this year, although most of them had worse pass defenses than that of the Lobos. If they can manage to slow him down -- Carr has only been held to below 300 yards passing twice this season -- then they will have a much better chance, as the Bulldogs’ run game ranks just 75th in the country in yardage.
The numbers
Rankings and records: No. 15 Fresno State has won three in a row over the Lobos and is 9-4 in their all-time series. Last year’s meeting was a 49-32 victory for the Bulldogs.
Vegas: Fresno State is a 32-point favorite, with an over/under of 66 points.
Weather: No weather problems anticipated -- all sunny in Fresno.
Three names to know
Davante Adams (Fresno State wide receiver) - Carr's favorite target, Adams was named a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist earlier this week. The 6'2, 212-pound sophomore has 967 yards on 91 catches and 15 touchdowns this season. With two regular season games left to go and a bowl coming, Adams could set new career highs in all three categories.
Kasey Carrier (New Mexico running back) - The appropriately named Carrier has hauled along most of the Lobos' offense, rushing for 1,122 yards this season on 5.9 yards per carry, with nine touchdowns.
Derron Smith (Fresno State safety) - Alongside end Ejiro Ederaine, Smith is one of the best players on the Bulldogs' defense, leading the way with a team-high five interceptions and nine passes defensed, to go with 50 tackles (4.5 for loss) and 2.0 sacks.
Two things at stake
A win here effectively locks up the Mountain West for the Bulldogs -- with one game left to play, Fresno State leads SDSU by one game in the division and has the head-to-head tiebreaker.
With a 66-42 loss to Colorado State last week, New Mexico was eliminated from bowl contention, so not much remains for the Lobos except pride and the potential to play spoiler.
How to witness
TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPNEWS
Radio: Fresno State radio broadcast: ESPN Radio 940 AM | New Mexico football radio affiliates
Online: WatchESPN
Further reading
For all things Mountain West, hit up Mountain West Connection.
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