You know what they say: You dug your own hole - now lie in it.
And that might just be the best thing for the UNM football team to do.
For some reason, the Lobos have a propensity to fall behind early against Utah.
But even more fascinating is UNM's ability to resurrect themselves and upset the Utes.
Since 1946, UNM has come back from at least a 14-point deficit 14 times - four of those coming against the Utes.
And that passion might ignite when the No. 8 team in the nation descends upon Albuquerque.
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That, and a healthy dose of trench warfare: UNM ranks 13th nationally in rushing, averaging 222.6 yards per game, while the Utes' defensive line is as impenetrable as a Kevlar vest, giving up only 85.9 yards per game on the ground.
If Utah proves to be immovable on the ground, UNM might have to gun the ball down field.
Either way, senior wide receiver Jermaine McQueen said "excited" doesn't quite describe his emotions heading into Saturday's matchup with the Utes, who are 8-0.
"It's a chance to go in there and shock the nation," he said. "We got to come out there and lay it on the field. We don't have anything to lose."
And for McQueen and 20 other seniors who will play their final game at University Stadium, it's how they want to be remembered - scrappers, bitter fighters until the end.
But "scrappy" doesn't capture linebacker Zach Arnett.
Arnett, among the 21 seniors bidding adieu to Lobo fans at University Stadium, has overcome plenty of adversity.
Aware that his playing days are coming to a close, Arnett said playing at home for the final time isn't a sobering realization.
"Everybody keeps saying it should be," he said. "But it's not for me. It's just another game. The way I look at it is I'm just glad it's not the last game of the season."
Arnett shrugs off questions about emotions like he did so many offensive linemen.
"I'm not even thinking about (the emotions)," he said. "For some guys, maybe it is (emotional); for, me personally, it's not. I'm not thinking about anything other than Utah."
As far as Arnett is concerned, the Lobos still have postseason aspirations to fulfill.
"These last two weeks are like a playoff environment for us," he said.
At 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the Mountain West Conference, UNM's surest bet to become bowl-eligible is to win out; 6-6 likely doesn't get them into a bowl.
McQueen's concern, too, is getting a bowl bid. But he did take time to share his thoughts about playing in front of a home crowd for the last time.
"It's going to be emotional for me and a lot of guys, because it's our last time out," he said. "We have to make a statement (about) how we want to be remembered."
Feelings aside, McQueen said UNM needs to establish the run.
"We got to come out and pound the ball - run it down their throats," he said. "I think we can go either way. If we run the ball, we can control the clock; if we pass it, we can get up early."
Arnett said Utah will employ a similar brand of football.
"People are mistaken if they believe they are like a Texas A&M or New Mexico State that's going to throw it 70 times," he said. "They're going to try to establish a power running game. And if they do that, they won't need to pass."
But Utah needs to win. So does UNM.
For both teams, Saturday's late-season meeting means each team is on the cusp of losing everything.
The Lobos' bowl chase and the Utes' quest for perfection and a BCS-bowl game are at stake.
But "speculation" doesn't seem to be in Arnett's vocabulary, because the outspoken linebacker clammed up.
"You ain't getting any guarantees from me," he said.
Football vs. Utah
Saturday
7:30 p.m.
University Stadium
