By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
New Mexico had a breakthrough season in 2025, exceeding almost everybody’s expectations.
The Lobos gained 9 video games for the primary time since 2016.
Jason Eck claimed Mountain West and SuperWest Coach of the 12 months honors. And his son, Jaxton Eck, was named co-Defensive Participant of the 12 months, this system’s first-ever participant to assert the award.
A win on Friday towards Minnesota would give UNM its first 10-win season in 40+ years.
As for the Gophers, effectively, you possibly can say what you wish to about PJ Fleck—and belief me, I’d most likely be nodding my head in settlement your entire time—however he has no less than met expectations at Minnesota.
Positive, the Gophers haven’t totally taken that subsequent step. However setting apart the COVID-shortened season, Fleck’s Gophers have gone bowling in seven of his eight seasons.
Heading into this one, he’s 6-0 in these bowl video games. One thing is working.
I preview the MW-Massive Ten Price Bowl matchup between New Mexico and Minnesota right here, offering my picks, straight-up, towards the unfold, and over/underneath.
New Mexico Lobos vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Friday, December 26
6:00 PM PT, ESPN
Chase Discipline, Phoenix, AZ
Mike Monaco, Kirk Morrison, and Daybreak Davenport
Line: Minnesota –2.5
Factors Complete: 47.5
The Gophers enter with a 7-5 mark on the season however are 0-5 away from Huntington Financial institution Stadium. The Lobos additionally had an ideal mark at dwelling, however likewise discovered a approach to break up their street video games 3-3.
New Mexico enters with extra momentum, having gained six in a row, whereas the Gophers have dropped three of their final 5.
Each groups are excellent towards the run.
The Gophers rank thirty first nationally, permitting simply 121.5 yards on the bottom per recreation, whereas the Lobos are limiting opponents to 113.4 per contest, the Twenty fifth-best mark within the nation.
Each groups have additionally struggled mightily to maneuver the ball on the bottom.
Minnesota is averaging simply 103 speeding yards per recreation, and within the final 9 video games, that has fallen to only 77.3 yards per outing.
A giant a part of that dip has been Darius Taylor being lower than 100% with a hamstring concern. Within the common season finale towards Wisconsin, his workload was means up, and he gained 100 yards on 19 totes.
A wholesome and efficient Taylor could possibly be the difference-maker on this one.
Neither workforce is admittedly nice with regards to throwing the soccer, and each have had some points defending the move at instances.
If New Mexico is to get the win on this one, they’ll want a productive recreation out of Jack Layne.
And it begins and ends with not turning it over. Within the Lobos’ 9 wins this season, the QB has solely thrown one interception and tossed 11 TDs. Within the three video games UNM dropped, Layne was picked off eight instances.
For the Gophers, the outcomes are eerily comparable because the protection has intercepted eight passes of their seven wins and recorded zero picks within the 5 losses.
Whereas Drake Lindsey has not been nice this season, he has proven it at instances, and I believe he offers Minnesota extra to work with within the passing recreation.
This recreation stays shut and it stays low scoring, however the Gophers run their bowl recreation win streak to 9 in a row.
Outright winner: Minnesota
Towards the Unfold: Minnesota
Complete: Underneath
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and data, school sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Heart (SERC).
