Something truly wild is brewing in New Mexico football right now, something rarer than a solar eclipse, let alone a lunar one. Could both the New Mexico Lobos and the New Mexico State Aggies actually have winning seasons in the same year for the first time since 1978? If you’re a fan who can root for both squads when they aren’t smashing heads, you’ve got to be hyped about what’s gone down in these early days of the season.
Lobos Flexing Serious Muscle
The Lobos, man, they just looked dominant, almost boringly so, in their season opener. They straight up rolled Central Michigan 38-7 at University Stadium on Saturday night. We’re talking offense, defense, special teams , the whole package was clicking. This isn’t a fluke either. Coach Jason Eck’s debut last year saw them hit a 9-4 record and snag a bowl bid. With a Mountain West schedule that’s actually diminished thanks to conference realignment, seven wins or more feels like a lock for 2026. Honestly, if they don’t hit at least nine wins, that’s gonna feel like a letdown. What they showed against the Chippewas? That’s real power.
Aggies Showing Their Grit and Potential
Over on the Aggies’ side, they dropped a respectable 34-17 loss at Florida State back on August 29, which isn’t nothing. But then they absolutely exploded, getting into the win column with a 51-14 rout of FCS victim Mercyhurst at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday. They had a slow start, sure, but in the second half, they showed Mercyhurst zero succor. Seriously. Transfer quarterback Trey Hedden looks like the real deal, capable of keeping NMSU right in the mix for conference games against teams like Western Kentucky, Florida International, Sam Houston, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Missouri State, Delaware, and Middle Tennessee. Are seven wins and bowl eligibility possible there? For sure, why not? There are definitely Conference USA win opportunities popping up for them.
The Mercyhurst Oddity and What Comes Next
Now, here’s a weird one: The Mercyhurst Factor. It’s actually no factor at all for the big picture, but it’s wild to talk about. NMSU and UNM have barely ever played the same FCS team in the same season, let alone on back-to-back Saturdays! But guess what? Mercyhurst, currently sitting at 0-2, is heading to University Stadium this Saturday to face the Lobos. It’s like a bizarre echo of 1960, when NMSU crushed the University of Mexico 41-0, and the Lobos then hammered the same Mexican team 77-6 a week later. Back then, that huge score difference totally suggested a Lobo win when the rivals met on October 8. But nope, the Aggies stomped them 34-0 on their way to an 11-0 season while the Lobos finished 5-5. The Lobos could probably hang another 77 points on the Lakers this Saturday if they wanted, but I bet they won’t. The Aggies have Hawaii and UNM next, which are probable losses. But the real fireworks are on September 16, when Lobos and Aggies square off in Las Cruces. This rare shot at dual winning seasons? That’s what makes this early stretch so important.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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