New Mexico Bowl Preview

Here we go, Bowl-Mania fans! Another low-key matchup, but one that features two high powered offenses, and some decent NFL prospects that could end up as middle rounders to your favorite team. Let’s take a look at the New Mexico Bowl.

New Mexico Bowl

Colorado State vs. Fresno State

Dec. 20th, 2:30 PM, University Stadium

About Colorado State: Colorado State returns to their first Bowl Game since 2005 (Poinsettia vs. Navy), and hope to take a postseason victory since 2001 (New Orleans vs. North Texas). Overall they are 4-8 in their bowl appearances, but not for without a lack of trying. The Rams started off hot in Coach Steve Fairchild’s debut, winning two of his first three games, but a tough patch saw them quickly drop four out of five, and thanks to two straight victories, they sneak into the bowl game at 6-6. They are best remembered for giving a scare to Brigham Young University, and forcing them to score 21 fourth quarter points to eek out a November 1st victory. Senior Gartrell Johnson is the man in the backfield, and this year he has 1191 rushing yards, 205 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns overall . TE Kory Sperry is being hailed as a top TE prospect (37 catches, 470 yards, 5 touchdowns), and WR Dion Morton is on the outskirts of a 1,000 yard season (830 yards, 10 touchdowns), which would be the 2nd on the Rams this year, as Rashaun Greer has been the top target (1,045 yards, 2 touchdowns).

About Fresno State: The Bulldogs have been quite familiar with the postseason, as they look for their second straight postseason win in a decade that has seen them go 4-3 so far. They hold an overall bowl record of 12-8. After a good 2007 that saw a 9-4 record, Fresno State had high hopes for 2008, and even a close loss to then No. 10 Wisconsin couldn’t keep them down, as they won 5 of their first 7 games. However, three losses in their next five games brought the Bulldogs back to earth, and now look to end their season on a positive note after a shellacking by Boise State helped them limp into the postseason. Much like their opponents, they have a bright spot of the future in the 6-5 TE Bear Pascoe, and even though his numbers fell off a bit since 2007, he still matched his touchdown performance with four this year, and was second on the team in receiving yards (361). The three-headed attack of Anthony Harding (702 yards, 4 TDs), Lonyae Miller (699 and 5), and Ryan Matthews (593 and 6) brings a lot of power and speed, as all three have over 100 carries each and average over five yards a carry.

About The Bowl: It’s the time old tale of the veteran coach in FSU’s Pat Hill against the rookie CSU head Steve Fairchild. Both teams provide solid offensive numbers, with Fresno State averaging 394.7 yards a game and Colorado State putting up 393.1 yards a game. Fresno State will rely heavily on their running game, but they will need to put a few more interceptions together (FBS low 4 on the year), if they are to stop a CSU passing attack that averages 247.5 yards a game. Look for another offensive matchup to be the spotlight in this game, and keep an eye on NFL TE prospects Sperry and Pascoe.

The Pick: Fresno State 38-30.

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