Not counting the fact that a Rocky Long-led UNM football team has never defeated Colorado State University, Saturday's game against the Rams is arguably the biggest game to confront the fourth year coach and his team.
The winner can finish no worse than third in the Mountain West Conference and it is very likely that the team will be invited to a bowl game.
So when the Lobos (5-4 overall, 4-2 in the Mountain West), who last played in a bowl game in 1997, and the Rams (5-5, 4-2), who defeated the University of Louisville in the AXA Liberty Bowl just last year, square off, one team will be playing to further a newly-found respect, while the other will be playing to meet expectations.
"Win or lose Saturday, we've gained the respect of the other coaches in the league and the other teams in the league," Long said. "Everybody knows that we're playing for a bowl game, but if you look at all the web sites, they've got Colorado State penciled in. Or bowl officials are really nervous they might have to take New Mexico."
Statistically, the game seems to be a toss-up.
Both teams are 3-1 in its last four games and UNM holds an edge in average passing yards per game, while the Rams hold an edge in average rushing yards per game. However, the Lobos are tops in the league in rushing defense and second in total defense, which means that the old adage that the deciding factor in the game will come down to special teams just might come into play Saturday.
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"Special teams have kept us in a few ball games this year," CSU head coach Sonny Lubick said. "A lot of our games were very close, so it takes a play here or there on special teams to enhance or secure a victory for us."
Last week, in the Rams' game against the Air Force Academy, the Falcons dominated most of the game, but it was special teams that helped Colorado State earn a 28-21 victory.
Wide receiver Pete Rebstock set up the Rams' game-winning touchdown after he returned an Air Force kickoff 73 yards. Earlier in the game, defensive back Justin Gallimore blocked a punt that brother Jason returned for a 30-yard touchdown.
Long said he also felt that big game experience may be a factor.
"They know how to handle it because they're there every year either playing for a conference championship or a bowl game," Long said. "But it doesn't matter how many times they've been there. It's the same for them as us. They've got to play well or they're done."
Defensively, the Lobos seem to have the edge, as in their last two games against San Diego State University and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, the defensive squad was called on to preserve wins. And in both instances, the defense came through.
"We have a couple of young guys that we've been trying to teach," senior cornerback Stephen Persley said. "And I guess the young guys are picking it up and getting that killer instinct. Everybody on the defense has that same mentality and I think that's been the difference."
The Colorado State defense, on the other hand, has been somewhat generous in giving up 63 points combined to Air Force and Brigham Young University during the last two weeks, which Lubick said worries him.
"The last two weeks we gave up more points and more yards than should be legal," Lubick said. "BYU ripped us up one side and down the other and then with Air Force we had a hard time containing them."
Which makes for cautious optimism from the UNM offense.
"You can't go by what you've seen on film because they could come out here and just baffle us with a different defense," running back Holmon Wiggins said. "It depends on the offensive line. And (quarterback Casey Kelly's) back there and when he is putting the ball in receivers' hands, it opens up everything."
Game time is set for 1 p.m. with 770-KKOB AM providing radio coverage locally. The game is not being televised.
