New Mexico Lobos at Arkansas Razorbacks
War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, Arkansas
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Arkansas -33
Current Line: Arkansas -36
Opening Total: 51
Current Total: 54
Opening Money Line: Arkansas -45000 / New Mexico +15000
New Mexico and Arkansas meet for just the third time ever. Arkansas leads the series 2-0 but the two teams haven’t played since 1987. The game will be played in Little Rock, the Razorbacks’ second home. Both previous meetings were played in Little Rock as well. New Mexico, coached by Mike Locksley is 0-1 after a narrow 14-10 defeat at home to Mountain West rival Colorado St. Arkansas, coached by Bobby Petrino is 1-0 after a 51-7 thrashing of FCS school Missouri St. Arkansas is ranked #13 or #14 depending on which poll you look at.
New Mexico has won one game the last two seasons under Mike Locksley. They might be the worst team in FBS college football other than Western Kentucky. Last week, they had a chance to beat a mediocre Colorado St team in Albuquerque. However, 9 penalties and 3 lost fumbles, two in the red zone, prevented the Lobos from winning. I don’t know how Locksley has kept his job, and he will probably be fired if New Mexico has another dreadful season. It doesn’t get any easier for the Lobos as they travel to Arkansas. New Mexico had 329 yards against CSU including 150 yards rushing. Quarterback Tarean Austin was 20/31 passing for 179 yards and a touchdown. He also had 25 carries for 57 yards. Austin fumbled at CSU’s 18 yard line with 12 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for the Rams. Running back James Wright had 12 carries for 65 yards, and also had a catch for 9 yards. Receiver Deon Long had 8 catches for 79 yards. Lamaar Thomas caught a 27 yard touchdown pass from Austin. Kicker James Aho was 1/2 on field goals with a 33 yarder, and made one extra point. New Mexico allowed 13 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks to Colorado St. The Lobos were 7 for 20 on third and fourth downs.
Defensively New Mexico held Colorado St to 270 total yards including 92 rushing yards. New Mexico had 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. They forced one turnover.The Lobos held the Rams to 12 first downs and the Rams were 5 for 16 on third and fourth downs. Don’t expect a repeat performance against the high octane Razorbacks.
Arkansas was up 44-0 before Missouri St even got on the board. Arkansas ended up winning 51-7. The Razorbacks had 466 total yards including 364 passing yards. Quarterback Tyler Wilson was 18/24 with 260 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had 4 carries for -5 yards as well. Back-up Brandon Mitchell was 10/11 passing with 104 yards and 1 touchdown. Mitchell had 3 carries for 5 yards. Running back Kody Walker had 9 carries for 33 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ronnie Wingo, Jr. had 11 carries for 43 yards, and 3 catches for 51 yards. De’Anthony Curtis had 5 carries for 37 yards. Receiver Jarius Wright had 6 catches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chris Gragg also caught a touchdown pass. Joe Adams had 2 punt returns for touchdowns of 61 and 69 yards. Kicker Zach Hocker was 1/1 on field goals with a 32 yard kick, and was 6 out 7 on extra points. Arkansas did give up 3 sacks to Missouri St.
Defensively, Arkansas held Missouri St to 163 yards including 79 passing yards. The Bears had 9 first downs and were 2 for 12 on third and fourth downs. Arkansas had 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks and they forced a turnover.
New Mexico is 1-8 ATS in September games the last 3 seasons. The Lobos are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog of 10.5 points or higher, including 0-5 on the road. Arkansas is 10-2 in Saturday games the last 2 seasons, and 9-2 on grass in the same time span. The Razorbacks are 7-0 in their last 7 as a favorite and 5-0 ATS as a home favorite. Arkansas is 14-3 ATS in their last 17 after a straight up win by more than 20 points, and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games.
Unless you are a diehard Razorback fan or are sadistic, you won’t have to watch this game after halftime. It will get really ugly, and Arkansas should be able to score at will against the hapless Lobos. Arkansas should be able to get to the 54 point total by themselves rather easily.
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