Arizona's high-octane train comes barreling into University Stadium on Saturday to square off against the UNM football team.
UNM fans won't have much to boast about after losing two consecutive games to TCU and Texas A&M, but fresh in their minds is last year's 29-27 come-from-behind victory over Arizona down in Tucson.
Overall, the Wildcats have the series advantage, holding a 43-19-3 record against the Lobos.
The 'Cats come in ranked third in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 55.5 points per game. The Lobos have averaged a meager 12.5 points per game.
The pressure will be on the Lobo defense to clamp down on Wildcat quarterback Willie Tuitama, who has completed 77.8 percent of his passes and thrown for 471 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in two games.
UNM linebacker Zach Arnett said the Lobos want to make Tuitama uncomfortable in the pocket.
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"We will need to get pressure on him," he said. "We can't let him just sit back there and have all the time in the world."
But Arizona isn't one-dimensional. In the past two games, the Wildcats have racked up an average of 209 rushing yards per game. Running back Nic Grigsby accounted for 304 yards on 39 carries for an average of 7.8 yards per carry.
Arnett said the fact that the Wildcats are multi-dimensional makes the Lobo back position crucial this week.
"We'll bring in Ian Clark and Clint McPeek," he said. "They're both 220 (pounds) - big guys. So, it's not like we're losing a linebacker, because those guys are good at stopping the run."
Granted, Arizona has played a weaker non-conference schedule, notching a 70-point shut out against an Idaho team that went 1-11 and ranked last out of 118 Division-I programs last season. The Wildcats then creamed Toledo 41-16.
Although the Wildcats have had two "cupcake" games so far, Lobo backer Clark said Arizona's offensive statistics aren't inflated.
"You can't really judge them off who they've played," he said. "Idaho - even though they didn't beat a Division-I team last year, they could have been having an off-day."
While it might be unreasonable to expect the Lobos' defense to hold an offensive juggernaut in check all day, head coach Rocky Long said the best way the Lobos can limit Arizona's explosiveness is by executing when the Lobos have the ball.
"We have to be really good on offense and keep the ball away from them," he said.
That's something the Lobos have struggled with - hanging on to the ball. UNM has turned the ball over seven times (four interceptions and three fumbles) while scooping up only two turnovers - giving them a minus-2.5 turnover ratio.
As of late, UNM has been in the giving mood. Off Lobo turnovers, opponents have had touchdown-capping drives of four plays for 30 yards; two plays for nine yards; one play for four yards; three plays for 20 yards; and four plays for 21 yards.
UNM quarterback Donovan Porterie is responsible for four of those turnovers - three interceptions and one fumble.
Long, who played quarterback for UNM in 1969-71, said he can empathize with Porterie.
"I understand what he's going through," he said. "I don't think (Donovan's) lost his confidence. I think he's proved in the past he's a good football player. He just hasn't hit his rhythm yet. When he does, we'll be a really good football team."
If ever there was a week for Porterie to bounce back, this might just be the one. Last year against the 'Cats, Porterie threw for 327 yards, three touchdowns and just one pick.
But Clark may be Porterie's best friend in jumpstarting what has been thus far a sluggish offense. Clark had two key punt returns for 64 yards last game that set the Lobos up with good field position. However, UNM couldn't capitalize on them.
Still, Clark said the fact the Lobos are winless should ratchet up the intensity.
"Just remembering the feeling of beating a big school - if we want it bad enough we should win," he said. "We're going to leave it all out on the field."
