2011 New Mexico Lobos Football Preview

There hasn’t been a hint of happiness in Albuquerque football for two calendar years. Head coach Mike Locksley took over a program that had been to five bowl games in the previous seven seasons under former head man Rocky Long. After a myriad array of off-the-field issues and just two victories in two years in the Land of Enchantment, Locksley is on borrowed time. He frankly should have been fired two years ago when he punched his wide receiver coach and displayed conduct unbecoming of not just a head coach at a Division I program, but of a highly-paid state employee (since New Mexico is obviously a state university). Considering the lack of leadership being displayed in and around the New Mexico athletic department, it’s no wonder that Los Lobos have been floundering throughout the Locksley era.

The schedule certainly hasn’t done the Lobos any favors. The bookends of the 2010 campaign were a humiliating 72-0 shellacking at the hands of eventual national runner-up Oregon in week one and a 66-17 pounding at the hands of future Rose Bowl champion TCU in the November 27 season finale. Suffice it to say, the middle of the book was no better than the introduction and epilogue. Only a last-minute win over Wyoming on November 6 prevented New Mexico from wearing an 0-12 collar for the entirety of the season.  

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Lobos struggled on both sides of the ball. New Mexico was ranked in the sub-100 realm of the 120-member Football Bowl Subdivision on both offense and defense. The defense gave up an astounding 44 points per game. The offense didn’t do the Lobos any favors either, finishing 116th in points scored and 106th in both passing and rushing yards. The year 2011 has brought changes to the both scheme and personnel at New Mexico. Defensive coordinator George Barlow has installed a 4-2-5 during the offseason. Look for New Mexico to be much more aggressive as a result. David Reaves was promoted to offensive coordinator and he will look to find a quarterback to lead the Lobos. While Stump Godfrey, who started the final half of the 2010 campaign, returns to Albuquerque, sophomore Terean Austin may very well win the starting job after a tremendous spring. Lucas Reed, the only Lobo on the All-MWC First Team in 2010, returns at tight end.

The schedule is a daunting task once again. The Lobos travel to Little Rock to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC in week two. The following week, the Lobos host the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The road will be a difficult one for the Lobos, who play away games at Nevada, TCU, San Diego State, and Boise State this season.

It’s doubtful that they have the chops to compete in the first place, but they also don’t have the coach with the savvy or leadership skills to make a little magic happen in the Southwest.

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