1. Van: 4-0

T2. Adam: 3-1

T2. Doug: 3-1

T2. Devon: 3-1

No. 1 Las Cruces vs. No. 8 Manzano

Van: Las Cruces: The Bulldawgs are number one for a reason.

Adam: Las Cruces over Manzano

Doug: Las Cruces

Devon: Las Cruces may not deserve the top seed, but that doesn’t mean they won’t play like the top team.

No.4 Mayfield vs. No. 5 La Cueva

Van: Mayfield: La Cueva has found it’s rhythm but, playing at Mayfield during the postseason is just too hard.  The Trojans have one loss to a New Mexico team since 2004.  Eldorado beat the Trojans in Las Cruces during the regular season.

Adam: La Cueva over Mayfield in a mild upset.  The bears are *rolling* on offense right now and anytime Ronnie Daniels touches the ball he has the chance to take it all the way.

Doug: Mayfield

Devon: I think La Cueva pulls the upset. I think this will be a big year for metro area football.

No. 3 Clovis vs. No. 6 Sandia

Van: Clovis: It’s postseason.  Eric Roanhaus is the coach at Clovis….nuff said.

Adam: Clovis over Sandia.  The matadors have slowed tremendously over the 2^nd half of the season.  Clovis is this close to being undefeated right now.

Doug: Clovis

Devon: Clovis may be the best team in the state, remember they are an overtime loss away from perfection.

No. 2 Eldorado vs. No. 7 Rio Rancho

Van: Eldorado: Rio Rancho has become a better football team as the season has gone but, it will not matter against a powerful Eldorado team.  Watch the runningbacks.  That will be the best match-up.

Adam: Eldorado over Rio Rancho in a rout

Doug: Eldorado

Devon: Eldorado: I wouldn’t want my former school to rescind my diploma. It also helps that they’re the better team.

1. Doug: 4-0

T2. Van: 3-1

T2. Adam: 3-1

T2. Devon: 3-1

No. 1 Goddard vs. No. 9 Piedra Vista

Van: Goddard: The Rockets are playing great football right now.  I don’t think Piedra Vista has enough to overpower the rockets.

Adam: Goddard over Piedra Vista

Doug: Piedra Vista

Devon: Goddard won’t let Piedra Vista back into the game after they’ve pile up a 21 point lead like Del Norte did.

No. 4 Artesia vs. No. 5 Kirtland Central

Van: Artesia: It has been a down year in titletown but, when the playoffs come I just cannot pick against the Bulldogs.  Artesia and championship go hand and hand like a glove.  The Broncos may be ready to pick off the Bulldogs but, I just cannot see it until it actually happens.

Adam: Artesia over Kirtland Central

Doug: Artesia

Devon: Kirtland Central, Artesia’s disappointed in ‘08

No. 3 Belen vs. No. 6 Silver

Van: Belen: The Eagles picked up a coach from Texas and all of a sudden have learned how to play some serious football.

Adam: Belen over Silver

Doug: Belen

Devon: Belen

No. 2 Aztec vs. No. 7 Los Alamos

Van: Aztec: The Aztec runningback Mike Hatchcock is ready for his close-up.

Adam: Aztec all over an overmatched Los Alamos.  This may be the most lopsided game all day.  Aztec can really throw the football and gain all kinds of offensive yards.  Aztec will score early and often.

Doug: Aztec

Devon: Aztec

AAAAA

No. 5 La Cueva vs. No. 12 Alamogordo

Van: La Cueva.  The Bears found their grove just in time for the postseason.

Adam: La Cueva over Alamogordo – The Bears are on quite the hot streak right now.  The tigers limped in to the playoffs.

Doug: La Cueva

Devon: La Cueva’s just way too talented to lose to Alamogordo

No. 6 Sandia vs. No. 11 Hobbs

Van: Sandia.  Everyone knows when basketball practice starts in Hobbs, the football team goes to sleep.

Adam: Sandia over Hobbs – Matadors return to early season form.

Doug: Sandia

Devon: Sandia will roll, Hobbs has had a disappointing ‘08 that will end with an early playoff exit.

No. 7 Rio Rancho vs. No. 10 Highland

Van: Rio Rancho.  One name Troy Harris. 

Adam: Rio Rancho over Highland – Rams win a close one.

Doug: Rio Rancho

Devon: Highland takes out Rio Rancho; I’ve never really been impressed with the Rams this season.

No. 8 Manzano vs. No. 9 Cibola

Van: Manzano.  Cibola has endured a year destroyed by injuries.  They may not have enough in the tank to slow down the high powered offense of Manzano. 

Adam: Cibola over Manzano – This is a mild upset, but the cougars have been playing well of late and have the edge over the Monarchs having beaten them earlier this season.

Doug: Cibola

Devon: Manzano, they hung pretty tough against a talented Eldorado team late in the season. They win this win by a slim margin.

AAAA

No. 5 Kirtland Central vs. No. 12 Capital

Van: The Broncos and their new spread offense nipped Capital by three in Santa Fe in September.  With Kirtland hosting this time around, look for the repeat.

Adam: Kirtland Central over Capital

Doug: Kirtland Central

Devon: Kirland Central. Too bad for Capital that the 5-12 bracket mentality doesn’t apply to high school football.

No. 6 Silver vs. No. 11 St. Pius X

Van: With title Artesia out of the picture, look for Silver to try to find their way to the title game.  A rollercoaster ride season of struggle will come to an end for the Sartans.  Take Silver.

Adam: Silver over St. Pius X – Tough for the Sartans to win with a freshman quarterback.

Doug: Silver

Devon: Silver should win handily, but I think St. Pius X will make it a game. Silver still takes this one.

No. 7 Los Alamos vs. No. 10 Moriarty

Van: Los Alamos is a team that is very skilled but, they are playing a northern team that plays like the ones in the south.  Moriarty will pull off the upset.

Adam: Moriarty over Los Alamos – Pintos have been playing hard and will win in a minor upset.

Doug: Los Alamos

Devon: Something about their narrow victory over Bernalillo won’t let me trust Los Alamos. I’ll take Moriarty in the upset.

No. 8 Del Norte vs. No. 9 Piedra Vista

Van: This is a toss-up game.  Eight playing nine is always close.  Del Norte by a whisker.  Why….homefield advantage.

Adam: Piedra Vista over Del Norte

Doug: Piedra Vista

Devon: Piedra Vista, this could be a big week for that program.

Van: Las Cruces started out on top in our poll.  The writers and broadcasters from all over the state have kept them there because they are still undefeated like Eldorado.  If they fall, I am sure Eldorado would get more first place votes and move into the top spot.  Eldorado has picked up 3 first place votes in our current poll.

Adam: If you notice, Eldorado got 3 first place votes in our poll.  I was one of those 3 voting for the Eagles as the top team in the state.  I’ve been voting them number 1 for weeks.  Eldorado has played everyone good but Las Cruces.  Las Cruces has played hardly anyone good.  We’ll see if that holds come playoffs.

Doug: Because they play much tougher football in the south. If Mayfield beats Las Cruces this week that will pretty much make Eldorado the number 1 team

Devon: I’m guessing because a lot more sportswriters buy into the BCS mentality than you would think. For the record, I like Adam have been one of the renegade voters for Eldorado. They’ve beat so many quality opponents this season that it’s criminal that anyone else could even think of voting someone above them. However, you’ll run into a lot of people that think that past tradition counts. Ah, nice to know that the BCS ideology is alive and well.

Van: I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you did not know most of the players in key positions on the Lobos are young and getting most of their experience this season.  Let’s see how you will feel the next two seasons.  Rocky Long deserves every bit of his raise.  All he did was make a horrible program a contender.  It’s true the Lobos haven’t won a Mountain West title but, they have come close and they are always in the conversation when the conference title is being decided.  They have also become bowl game regulars even though that is in jeopardy this year.  I have a question for you.  What will you say if the Lobos run the table on the rest of this season and get into a bowl game?

Adam: One thing I can assure you Rocky Long NEVER does is whine and complain.  I guarantee that.  As for Lobo fans…….

Doug: Doris, with all due respect I have to question your knowledge of major college football.  First off, as for Rocky’s salary, it’s more than deserved for where he’s taken this program in 10-plus years, and is the norm in major college football.   Before Rocky got to UNM, the previous season season aside under Dennis Franchionne where the Lobos made a bowl game, the program was a laughing stock.  Ask any opponent that comes in here and you’ll find that UNM is a laughing stock no more.  Rocky is a guy that fights for his players and they more than sell out for him, thus Rocky according to your view “whines and complains about calls and mistakes.”  When he’s doing that, he’s fighting for his players, and tell me, what successfull coach doesn’t?  As for “winning against schools more mediocre than the Lobos,” isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?  Rocky has built a PROGRAM at UNM, so you might want to be careful what you wish for when it comes to finding what you think is a better coach, things could be a LOT WORSE.

Devon: Inspiration isn’t the problem; it’s two other “I” words, injuries and inexperience. Rocky has given the University of New Mexico 10 years of solid service, that’s why he got the raise. UNM is one of a few Mountain West teams that can count on being bowl eligible every season. However, Doris your frustration is understandable: his record in bowl games needs to improve and the team needs to make a serious run at a conference championship. Although, I suspect that Long is well aware of these issues and he’ll accomplish them in his tenure with the school.

Van: Texico is a good team.  In football, the Wolverines can easily be considered the title town of the small classes in New Mexico.  Estancia had better bring their A game or it will be a very long night.

Adam: Texico is the class of small class Football.  Good luck to your bears!

Doug: Lindsay, thanks for your question, and yes, Texico is a very good football team that will give Estancia a tough time.  But have faith, you never know what can happen in any given game, so who knows, you might see an upset.

Devon: Thanks for the question Lindsay. Texico usually puts a very fast team on the field and seemed like Estancia had trouble with speed last week. If Estancia can establish a solid rushing defense they’ve got a shot.

Van: There really isn’t a reason to think that they will not play well.  Alford and his staff took a team he wasn’t familiar with and won 24 games in his first year.  There will be a little bit of a learning curve with six freshmen in the mix.  But, the skill set of the freshman class bring back memories of Charles Smith, Greg Brown, Kenny Thomas and Lamont Long.  With that kind of talent anything can happen if and when the young freshman learn how to play effective defense on the collegiate level.  The Mountain West will be more competitive with UNLV bringing out a load of experienced talent and BYU with their usual group of mature men back from their mission but, the Lobos should be able to compete.  Don’t forget, Tony Danridge is back along with one of the best three point shooters in the country in Chad Toppert.

Adam: That’s a great question.  I think a lot of Lobo fans are really hoping Alford’s team will play well this year and I believe there’s a good chance.  They are young, but from what I’ve seen so far, they are athletic and talented.  The MWC is very strong this season, with 4 teams (UNLV, BYU, Utah, and UNM) that could win it all in my mind, so we’ll just have to see what unfolds.

Doug: Chris, I think the Lobo men will be fine, though because of all the newcomers they may get out of the gate a little slow.  After all, they have to get used to not having J.R. Giddens and Tony Danridge hasn’t seen game action in a year.  How new players like Philip McDonald and Will Brown step in and adjust to Division One Basketball will be key.  But all in all, like the song goes, the future’s so bright, we’ve all gotta wear shades.

Devon: Don’t put football season to bed just yet—technically there’s still 25 percent of the Lobos schedule left to be played. If they win the last two, they’re probably looking at a date with their third straight New Mexico Bowl. As for Alford, his team is under extraordinary pressure to improve on last season’s success. His team has the talent to contend in this conference.

The little schools ROCK!

Van: Coach Long believes they can go if they win seven games.  That means the Lobos with have to run the table. With three games to go and two on the road, that is a tall order.  The Lobos have nationally ranked Utah at University Stadium as their final home game next week.  Utah will be coming off a bye week and fighting to keep their BCS hopes alive.  Speaking of BCS, if Utah goes that route for a bowl game it would free up another bowl in the Mountain West.  If that happened the Lobos could get in at 6 and 6.  That means they would only have to win two of their last three games.

Adam: See above.  In my mind, there’s very little chance of UNM beating Utah.  That means the Lobos will have to beat both UNLV and CSU in order to get bowl eligible.  I do think this is possible.  Actually, I think it’s likely.  However, if they beat both those teams and become bowl eligible, guess which bowl they’ll likely go to?  It could be another New Mexico Bowl year for the Lobos.

Doug: The Lobos still have a chance at a bowl.  They need to win two of their last three to become bowl eligible at 6-6, but realistically need to win 7 games to make it more of a lock so they need to win all three.  It doesn’t look good.

Devon: If you want the Lobos to go to a bowl then you’d better start cheering for TCU and Utah (excluding next Saturday’s game at UNM). You see, the conference only has four bowl “guaranteed” bowl tie-ins, and the conference already has four bowl eligible teams. To make matters worse, three of those teams hold tie breakers over UNM, and the other team (Utah) will finish with more wins. Therefore, the Lobos MUST WIN their last two games against UNLV and Colorado State. However, A 6-6 Lobo team could go bowling with a little assistance from the BCS.

Doug, Albuquerque: What happened last night? The Lobos were playing so well and it all fell apart!!!

Van: Turnovers happened last night.  When you go on the road and have a chance to drive a stake through a team’s heart early, you have to get it done.  The Lobos had an opportunity to go up 17 to nothing on Air Force last night.  A fumble prevented that from happening and changed the momentum of the game.  The Lobos still had a chance to be successful in Colorado Springs last night but, they fumbled the opening kickoff in the second half.  The Lobos still had chances in the second half but, I think the fumble in the first half returned for an Air Force touchdown the reminder of the game.

Adam: Turnovers doomed all the momentum the Lobos had.  This season, UNM has been chugging along in a couple of big, important conference games and has had a few momentum-killing plays ruin their chances.  Now they’ll have to play super hard and win 2 of their last 3 games to get bowl eligible.

Doug: Turnovers, turnover, turnovers…when you make enough of them, odds are you’re not gonna win.  The most costly one was in the first quarter when the Lobos were up 10-0 and driving, only to fumble and Air Force took it the other way for a 96 yard touchdown.  Game over.  This team just isn’t good enough to play over big mistakes like that.

Devon: I know the prevailing ideology is that turnovers killed the Lobos last night—which is true—but what caused the turnovers? Every Thursday night game between Mountain West teams has been so sloppy. I’m all for promoting Mountain West football, but the teams should only play Thursday games if they were on a bye during the previous week. Otherwise, the conference is sacrificing substance for a gimmick.