by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
If the past few years are any indication, the UNM football team must like its chances against San Diego State this weekend.
The Lobos have won six in a row against the Aztecs and are 8-3 in their last 11 road games.
But even though UNM has a winnable game on paper, head coach Rocky Long said SDSU is tough.
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"I don't think there is a team left on our schedule that we should beat," he said. "There was one team on our schedule that we should beat, and that was Sacramento State. Everybody else we play is as good as we are or better than we are. So I don't look at it at all that way."
UNM is off to a faster start than the Aztecs. After last week's 20-3 win at Wyoming, the Lobos have improved to 4-2 and 1-1 in the Mountain West Conference, with the two losses coming by a combined six points.
The 4-2 start is the Lobos' best under Long.
Meanwhile, SDSU is 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the MWC following a 23-7 loss at Utah.
If the Aztecs want to end its losing streak to the Lobos, their defense must be strong Saturday.
Through six games, UNM has topped the conference statistically. Quarterback Donovan Porterie's 142.7 passer rating is tops in the MWC, and tailback Rodney Ferguson leads the conference in rushing at 108 yards per game.
Wide receivers Marcus Smith and Travis Brown have been consistent at their position in the MWC. Smith leads the conference with 7.8 receptions per game, while Brown is second with 6.5 per game.
The passing matchup favors the Lobos. The Aztecs have given up a league-worst 305 passing yards per game.
Despite all the statistics in UNM's favor, Long said SDSU has the potential to play at an elite level.
"I think San Diego State is very talented," he said. "They have an excellent quarterback. They've got big, good wide receivers. They're one of those teams that once they get hot, they can beat you by 30."
With the way the UNM defense has played this season, it would take a big breakdown for the Aztecs to put up more than 30 points on the Lobos.
UNM is leading the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 17.5 points per game and holding opponents to 83 yards rushing per contest.
In the win at Wyoming, the Lobos held the Cowboys to a season-low three points and 238 yards.
UNM safety Ian Clark said the defense is confident but still looking for ways to be more stout.
"I think (the confidence is) very high," he said. "There's also some room that we can improve on, as always. We still have a few games left, and there's always room for improvement no matter where we stand."
Football at San Diego State
Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
San Diego
