If you're a football fan, you know college football doesn't have a preseason.
But if you're a UNM fan, applying the idea of a preseason to this season ain't a bad one.
The 13-game season in 2002 has given the Lobos the opportunity to make adjustments with two games that have little bearing on the rest of the season.
Let's look at those games.
The game last Saturday against the North Carolina State University was the tougher of the two - inked in a loss by most. Almost no one counted the game toward the six UNM needs to be bowl-eligible.
In addition to dealing with other-worldly quarterback Philip Rivers, the Lobos also had to contend with a Wolfpack defense. N.C. State's D looked great - mostly because UNM's conservative game plan played right into the Wolfpack's paws.
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The Lobos' offense didn't help itself. It started emotional, then moved to intimidated before recovering in the second half.
The game this week against Weber State University also will have very little bearing on bowl hopes - games against Division I-AA teams don't count.
If UNM took the game as a preseason game, the onus of losing to a I-AA would be lifted.
That's as likely to happen as a Britney Spears concert with no lip-syncing.
Playing a I-AA has no upside. D-I teams are expected to beat them. A loss is unacceptable.
So let's talk Weber State.
In 2001, the Wildcats finished 3-8, 2-5 in the Big Sky Conference - good for a sixth place in that offense-happy conference. Weber State led the Big Sky in passing offense, averaging 299 yards per game and was third in overall offense averaging 444.9 yards per game. Weber State was not at all impressive on defense, however. The team ranked second to last in overall defense and last in rushing defense.
This year, Weber State was picked to finish last by both coaches and media members.
UNM has never played Weber State in football, but the Lobos hold a 37-8-1 all-time advantage against Big Sky schools. They haven't lost to any of the schools in the Big Sky in over 30 years.
UNM should defeat the Wildcats. But if the most recent game against another Big Sky school, Northern Arizona University, is an indication, Lobos fans should cringe. UNM just won that game, 35-28.
UNM should make it through its "preseason" 1-1 ready to face the Air Force Academy.
Either way, the season really heats up after this weekend.
