New Mexico vs. UTSA, 2016 New Mexico Bowl: Time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know

The New Mexico Bowl, just as it did last year, has a hometown team this season. The UNM Lobos will play on Saturday in their own stadium, effectively hosting UT San Antonio as both teams cap their season. The Lobos fell short by a touchdown in last year’s game against Arizona, and this will be their fourth time acting as de facto hosts. UTSA is the official home team, however.

The game should be a pretty big deal for UTSA. The Roadrunners have never been eligible for a bowl before, starting up as a program in 2011 and playing at the FBS level since 2012. They’ve won enough games before, but this is the first time they’ve qualified while eligible after reclassifying to FBS. It’s a substantial milestone for the program and its head coach, longtime LSU assistant Frank Wilson.

Both teams have had solid seasons. Someone’s will end on a good note, and UTSA has the chance to do something it has never done: not just play in a bowl, but win one.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN. The announcers are Adam Amin, Mack Brown, and Molly McGrath.

Radio: New Mexico and ESPN Radio

Online streaming: WatchESPN

Spread: New Mexico is favored by about a touchdown.

Make friends: Mountain West Connection covers New Mexico, and Underdog Dynasty has you covered from a UTSA point of view.

1. New Mexico has a lousy defense but a really good offense. The Lobos don’t make their living by stopping teams. They let up 32 points per game, and their pass defense is among the worst in the country. They have problems with explosive plays all over. The good news? The offense can run it up, scoring 38 points per game with a bunch of big plays and an efficient running game. The pass offense isn’t efficient but connects on the occasional home run ball. Running back Rock McQuarley is a TD machine.

2. UTSA is more middling on both sides of the ball. The Roadrunners have a lot of work to do before they can compete against really good teams, and they don’t have nearly the offense UNM has. But they do have a slightly better defense, which gives up 28 points per game and generally holds its own. Quarterback Dalton Sturm has a tidy 18-to-5 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio, but he’s struggled to actually move the ball downfield. Against New Mexico, a lot could fall on the UTSA defense.

3. The two programs have a little bit of recent history, which is unusual for nonconference opponents and UTSA. The teams have played twice, with the road team winning both times. That means the Lobos have a win in the Alamodome, but a handful of UTSA players were also on the 2013 Roadrunner team that won at University Stadium in Albuquerque. That happens to be the same venue for Saturday’s game, so maybe UTSA can benefit from a hint of familiarity.