The events that took place today really illustrate why it is so
difficult to maintain this web site and would give you an idea why a
guy like Bandito just throws his hands in the airs and says “I’ve had
enough!”
I am prepared to listen to the game and file a report for The Red
Menace as the game begins. Lobos start well, gaining 50 yards on a
short pass and a long run by Rodney Ferguson, but, on the play, Rodney
fumbles the ball and Utah takes over.
The Lobos hold the Utes to a three-and-out and the Lobos are about to get the ball.
Then my phone rings. Wifey’s just out of the repair shop vehicle
won’t start and she, her mom and my daughter are stranded at the Uptown
Center. Dom to the rescue. I pick – up the game next Utah up 14-10, in
the 3rd quarter.
The Lobos forget how to field a punt and eventually lose to the Utes, 28-10.
Needless to say, I won’t speak much about the game, but that’s okay, the real story is what will happen next.
Namely to the Lobos bowl game hopes.
Here are the results of Saturday’s MWC football action and the records of each team in parentheses:
TCU (6-5, 3-4) 31, UNLV (2-9, 1-6) 7
Air Force (9-3, 6-2) 55, San Diego State (4-6, 3-3) 23
BYU (8-2, 6-0) 35, Wyoming 10 (5-6, 2-5)
Utah (8-3, 5-2) 28, Lobos (7-4, 4-3) 10
Next week’s schedule:
Utah @ BYU
UNLV @ UNM
TCU @ SDSU
In two weeks:
BYU @ SDSU
So let’s figure BYU will win at least one of their final two,
they’ll be favored in both, but the Utah game could go either way. BYU
finishes has the league champ and goes to the Las Vegas Bowl.
Utah’s win over the Lobos has got to put the Utes in the driver’s
seat for the Poinsettia Bowl. They don’t want Air Force due to Navy’s
commitment. Utah drew 43,778 in the win over New Mexico. How many do
you think the Lobos will draw against UNLV next Saturday?
Air Force then gets the Armed Forces Bowl bid. Or would they rather
have the hometown TCU in the bowl to ensure great attendance numbers.
Does that leave the New Mexico Bowl to choose between TCU and the
Lobos (assuming both win next week)? Air Force and UNM? It sounds like
the powers that be in the MWC will not let the Lobos back in to the NM
Bowl.
The powers that be might not get to shut the Lobos out.
I think Air Force is the wild card here. Can the Flyboys get a
better bowl deal, then the Armed Forces or NM Bowl? Probably so. Air
Force could travel anywhere well and would be attractive to a bowl who
can’t get a qualifier from another conference.
So let’s say Air Force the sweeter deal out of the MWC bowl reach.
Makes no sense to send TCU here and New Mexico to Fort Worth.
Then it would look like this:
BYU – Las Vegas
Utah - Poinsettia Bowl
Air Force – mystery bowl
TCU – Armed Forces Bowl
Lobos – New Mexico Bowl.
I really think this is the only way the Lobos get to a post-season
bowl. If there are only four bowls chairs available for the five MWC
bowl eligible teams, when the music stops the Lobos won’t get a seat.
Not unless someone slides another chair into the mix.