Aggies Vs Lobos: No, not those Aggies

As an Aggie living in Albuquerque, I have a fairly unique perspective on the Aggies vs. Lobos match up.  I have been an Aggie for over 40 years, but have followed the Lobos fairly closely since moving here in 1997.  I am a fanatic.  I follow recruiting, roster changes and coaching changes as though my career depended on it. 

Here is my perspective on the game, starting with the coaches.

Coaching:  Rocky is as good a coach as the Lobos can get, but I don't remember him coaching an NFL team to a division championship—or three.  I’m not going to dwell on this, but Mike Sherman has put together a coaching staff that collectively is as good as any in the country. 

I could write a separate article on how successful each of these coaches has been.  The positive side for UNM is that Rocky and his staff have been together for several years now and should have all the bugs worked out.  The coaches at A&M, on the other hand are seasoned professionals, several of whom have worked with Sherman in the pros.  There shouldn’t be many bugs to work out.

Coaching edge to A&M

Offense:  Although A&M only returns two starters on the offensive line, the backups that will be filling the holes this year are more talented that any Lobo linemen.  With coaching from Sherman and Turner, they will be ready to play. 

The Aggie's starting backfield consists of better talent, and more experience and depth at every position.  The wide receiver corps and the tight ends are talented, yet have little experience.  Lobos have the edge in receivers only.

Offense edge to A&M

Defense:  A&M has two experienced monsters at the DT spots.  The starting DEs will be all Big 12 picks this year.  MLB is solid with two juniors getting a lot of experience last year.  The OLBs are Von Miller and Garrick Williams.  These two bring a lot more speed to the position, if not much experience. The Aggie secondary is a year older and wiser and has talent and depth. 

Depth at the DT positions and inexperience at the OLB spots are the only weaknesses on this defense.  The changes made to the defense will improve the speed and aggressiveness.  The Lobos have a solid defensive team as well, but it has not seen the likes of A&M’s backfield.

Defensive edge goes to A&M, the real "Wrecking Crew."

Special teams: A&M has the best punter in the Big 12, if not the nation, and that is what counts.  Our kickers can get the job done, whichever one starts.

Special teams edge goes to A&M

Intangibles: New Mexico's stadium is not an imposing venue.  The Lobos average below 30,000 at home.  Altitude could be a factor, especially where the Aggies don't have a lot of depth, like at DT. 

I am hearing that the 12^th Man will be coming to the Duke City in large numbers, and that will neutralize any edge in intangibles that the Lobos might have had.

Intangibles are even.

Overall:  The problem for the Aggies is the inexperienced receivers against what many think is a very good Lobo secondary.  The problem for the Lobos is A&M's ground attack and the occasional toss to the RBs coming out of the backfield, or one of the fleet footed TEs.

Sure the Aggies have installed a new offense, and a new defense, but that is a positive.  The new schemes will allow the talent be used more effectively.  And talent is what A&M has more of than UNM.  Sure, UNM has some talented players, but overall A&M’s talent compares more favorably to TU than TCU. 

Comparing last year’s records provides some insight also.  Only one of UNM’s opponents finished in the USA Today top 30, BYU.  Seven of A&M’s did, and the Aggies beat two of them, including #10, Texas.

Aggies win!