by Kristie Boudwin
Daily Lobo
UNM returns home this weekend for its first game in Albuquerque since the Utah euthanizing.
If mention of the Utah game leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, hear me out. Utah is undefeated and sits in first place in the Mountain West Conference. If the Utes remain undefeated, they could be chosen for a BCS Bowl Game, leaving the Liberty Bowl wide open.
If it can happen in the Bronx, it can happen in 'burque. If the Sox are going to the World Series, the Lobos are a shoo-in for the Liberty Bowl.
Maybe this is the year for the underdogs. The Boston Red Sox are reminding America why sports are amazing - there is no sure thing.
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So far this season, the Lobo football team has been a victim of circumstance, but momentum could change for UNM.
"I think after this weekend, it made us realize that we are still in this Mountain West race for a conference championship," starting quarterback Kole McKamey said. "In terms of confidence, I believe that the win against UNLV gave us just what we were looking for."
The Lobos' biggest opponents this season seem to be officials and injuries, not to mention one of the toughest schedules in the nation.
Replays have undermined official rulings in several games. If coach Rocky Long had a red flag in his pocket, it would have been all over the field this season. In the Texas Tech game, a Lobo touchdown was called out of bounds when the replay showed it was clearly a score.
The officiating was not much better in the Oregon State game, but no matter how conflicting the replays may be, this is the Mountain West, and the official ruling stands.
Injuries have been a bump in the road this season, to say the least. McKamey suffered head trauma on several occasions. He suffered his first concussion of the season during the Oregon State game.
Weeks later, McKamey came to practice after the Utah game and said he did not remember playing parts of it. UNM coaches gave McKamey the week off and did some unexpected rearranging.
DonTrell Moore is one of the Lobos' strongest weapons. Moore suffered a knee injury at a crucial point in the season - just before the Lobos began conference play. D.D. Cox had big shoes to fill but stepped up to be a key playmaker in Moore's absence.
If karma really exists, the remainder of the Lobo season will be smooth sailing.
Long has improved the team every year since he began coaching at UNM. He continues to earn credit and national recognition for the football program. This year, the Lobos have already had two nationally televised games.
The impressive UNM fan support has broken records on two occasions this season with 40,182 fans attending the game against Utah.
Receiver Marcus Smith said the fan support at home games gives the team added momentum.
"Having the spark from the fans is almost like giving us an extra man on the field," Smith said.
But will that extra man help spark a second-half surge into the postseason?
"Utah is in first place right now, but second place is kind of up for grabs," linebacker Mike Mohoric said.
Go Lobos. Go Utes. If everything falls into place for the Lobos - including four more victories this season - the Lobos could be the Red Sox of the Mountain West.
UNM Lobos vs. SDSU Azetecs
Where:University Stadium
When:Kickoff at 4:37 p.m.
TV:Live on KRQE13
The first 1,200 fans will receive Brian Urlacher bobbleheads courtesy of the Bank of Albuquerque.
