Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Aggies can — and have to — win in 2012


(Photo by Robin Zielinski/Sun-News)

It will be a BIG year for the New Mexico State Aggie football team across the board in 2012.

The main reason is because the program has to win — and it can with this year’s schedule, which is listed below:

Date........Opponent.................Time
Sept. 1...Sacramento State....6 p.m.
Sept. 8...@ Ohio.....................TBA
Sept. 15.@ UTEP....................TBA
Sept. 22.New Mexico.............6 p.m.
Sept. 29.Texas-San Antonio..6 p.m.
Oct. 6.....@ Idaho...................TBA
Oct. 20...@ Utah State..........1 p.m.
Oct. 27...Louisiana Tech.......6 p.m.
Nov. 3....@ Auburn................TBA
Nov. 10..San Jose State.......1:30 p.m.
Nov. 24..BYU.........................1:30 p.m.
Dec. 1....@ Texas State.........TBA

NMSU has an FCS program on the docket in Sacramento State and two programs making their debut on the FBS level in Texas-San Antonio and Texas State. The two WAC programs don’t figure to be down for long — they seem to have financial backing and are located in a good recruiting base. Still, at least for this year, they’re two teams the Aggies should beat.

At Idaho and hosting San Jose State look to be winnable games, as should be at UTEP and hosting New Mexico.

NMSU goes to Ohio, Utah State and Auburn, and also hosts Louisiana Tech and BYU — these games should all provide various challenges.

Perhaps just as important is that longtime WAC foes Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii are no longer on the schedule — three teams that have beaten the Aggies 19 times over the past seven years.

Looking at this schedule and how it stacks up, six wins is a realistic goal, while seven isn’t out of the question.

It would be a good thing, because if the Aggies can’t do it with this docket, I don’t know if they’ll ever do it. It also wouldn't hurt with the ever evolving landscape of conference realignment, where the Aggies would instantly make themselves more marketable with a winning football season.

Follow me on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was the Teddy and Brook show cancelled because of low ratings ?

Anonymous said...

3-8 would be a great year, 4-7 is an outside possibility if they totally overachieve. 2-9 would not be a surprise and should be an expectation. I love Dewayne Walker, but NMSU is a school with a pathetic football history in a fragile football conference. That's double jeopardy. Walker deserves better.

Anonymous said...

Were taking what the 2012 season will look like yet, we haven't even started Spring drills!

Utep has it's 2nd scrimage this weekend.
When does NMSU begin Spring practice so we can get a gauge on what the team will look like this season?

Anonymous said...

I think they have a chance to win 6 to 7 GAMES they got manley,clay good wrs tough tight ends and i feel the defense will do better got some big bodies this yr on offense and defense. Im from texas and like new mexico st and the sports programs I cheer for them cause Clay is my cousin you fans in New Mexico have no hope,respect and belief in the aggies.In texas we support or team no matter what!! not making fun of them and down grading them every day and week when given the chance. Mark my words aggies will go 7 and 5!!!

Anonymous said...

Seriously I can't live without my Teddy and Brook show. What gives is there another writers strike ?

Anonymous said...

There are some good players like Clay, definitely...and the Aggie fans appreciate them.

The problem is the record of the team since the mid-60s is terrible. No bowl games in 40 years and not many winning seasons, either. Can you believe that at one time, the Aggies had a top 10 football team? Since then, bottom 10 a lot.

I hope the Aggies have a great season. The players and coach deserve it.

Anonymous said...

I agree with texas I
From LA luve in cruces for ayear, and the fans dont support the Aggies like they should. I move to el pasoand wont miss any of the games. Aggies will go 7-5 good offensive line good size on the defensive side all we need is special teams to step up.
FRANCO FROM LA

joe said...

coaches hot seat look it up you will want to throwup

JD said...

Teddy.....any word on how pro-day went. I am sure Rodgers was the main attraction. Any idea how some of the other seniors performed for the scouts???

Teddy said...

JD:

Don't think there will be any Davon House's this year — i.e., fourth-round draft choices coming out of NMSU.

Perhaps some late-round selections. Think Taveon Rogers and Jonte Green will get a look in an NFL camp, along with Kenny Turner and perhaps safety Donyae Coleman.