The weather may be cooling down, but the Lobos have stayed hot.
New Mexico enters its lone bye week undefeated in conference play and 4-1 overall, matching their best season start since 1997. UNM continues to draw a national following, most recently after throttling UTEP 61-7.
What’s driving the unprecedented attention, and how can the Lobos keep earning it?
Defense is New Mexico’s identity
Over the first five games of the year, defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky and his unit have been terrorizing opposing offenses. Through 20 quarters, the Lobo defense has bullied opponents to hold all five offenses they’ve faced to a measly 45 points combined.
The Lobo defense's effort has not gone unnoticed, as they currently rank first in the country in turnovers with 19. The secondary has been ball hawks all year, recording 12 interceptions — the most in the nation.
The Lobo defense has also had a knack for punching the football out, leading the nation with 7 fumbles recovered. As it stands, the Lobos are ranked 14th nationally in total defense.
We know the Lobo defense has been a pivotal part of their early success. Barring any unforeseen mishaps, the defense should remain a strong point for the Lobos as the season progresses.
Offense will follow how far Fa’avae takes them
We know the offense will go as far as quarterback Toa Fa’avae goes. Last week’s season-best performance against UTEP was an encouraging sign for an offense that was struggling on a down-to-down basis in the passing game.
Though it’s only a two-week sample, Head Coach Jason Eck and his staff appear to have made the right decision by naming Fa'avae the full-time starting quarterback. Fa’avae finished 15-of-19 for 249 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against the Miners.
His completion percentage improved from 40% against Oklahoma (4-of-10) and 58% against New Mexico State (10-of-17) to 79% against UTEP. Fa’avae, despite an inevitable interception, has taken care of the ball; pairing his elite athleticism and scrambling ability with good decision-making is a recipe for success.
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Fa’avae also looked more comfortable in the pocket. He worked through his progressions and consistently found completions over the middle and along the sideline. Though UNM’s offensive line will face higher quality opponents, it's given Fa’avae a clean pocket to work with, making his transition to full-time starter that much smoother.
If Fa’avae and the passing game can continue improving weekly, the Lobos will be a force to reckon with, but if they get stuck in neutral against tougher conference opponents, the defense — though one of the best in the FBS — may have to do more heavy lifting, which doesn't always bode well late in the season.
Silencing outside noise will be paramount
College Gameday this, College Gameday that. We know the Lobos are true Group of 6 contenders for the College Football Playoff, but outside noise and distractions aren’t optimal inside the locker room, and Eck knows it.
“I want to make sure myself, our staff, and our players focus on Hawaii,” Eck said when asked about the possibility of hosting ESPN’s College Gameday on Oct. 24, when the North Dakota State Bison come to town. “I know the quickest way to make sure that doesn’t happen would be for us to go lose to Hawaii, because that will probably ensure that.”
UNM’s path to the national stage is narrow, yet achievable. They must win out, and do so convincingly. No conference foe is worth looking past because one slip-up will likely strip the Lobos of their chance at a CFB bid.
Hawaii, a preseason Mountain West favorite, has fallen short of expectations five weeks into the season. They’re 0-3 in conference play, with a big test against Arizona State looming this weekend. UNM cannot fall victim to a potential trap game next week, despite the mental, emotional and physical toll of traveling to Honolulu.
This is what we know about the New Mexico Lobos through the first five games of the season. Seven games remain, but something truly special feels like it's brewing again in Albuquerque.
Whether what is brewing will come to fruition depends solely on if Coach Eck and his squad can keep the ball rolling. They now need to finish strong, and their attempt to do so will start Saturday in Honolulu.
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @rprunty05
Edge Garcia is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @ByEdgeGarcia
