No. 19 Washington State Faces New Mexico on Saturday Night
On Saturday, at 9:30 p.m. EST, No. 19 Washington State (8-1, ranked 18th in the CFP) will go up against New Mexico (4-6) in a matchup broadcasted on FS1. The odds set by BetMGM favor Washington State by 10.5 points, with the Cougars looking to extend their lead in the series, which currently stands at 2-0.
The stakes are high for Washington State, as they are under pressure to secure a potential spot in the upcoming 12-team college playoffs. With no championship game in the remaining Pac-12, the Cougars must deliver impressive victories on the field to stand out. Meanwhile, New Mexico is striving for a bowl game appearance, requiring wins in their final two contests to enhance their chances during coach Bronco Mendenhall’s inaugural season. The Lobos have been absent from bowl games since 2016.
A pivotal battle will be between Washington State’s quarterback John Mateer and the New Mexico defense. Mateer is enjoying an outstanding season and has ranked highly among his peers across many statistical measures. Despite improvements in the Lobos’ defensive performance, they have yet to encounter a quarterback of Mateer’s caliber, having struggled against rival offenses by allowing an average of 477.2 yards and nearly five touchdowns per game. New Mexico has specifically been challenged in pass defense, conceding 249.1 passing yards and 8.28 yards per attempt.
Focusing on key players, Washington State’s receiver Kyle Williams has made a significant impact this season with 42 receptions totaling 691 yards, averaging 16.5 yards per catch. He leads his team with eight touchdown receptions and poses a consistent deep threat. On the other hand, New Mexico’s quarterback Devon Dampier has been prolific this season with 902 rushing yards, 2,418 passing yards, and totaling 24 touchdowns.
Numerous facts underline the teams’ challenges: New Mexico has not faced a ranked opponent since 2021 and has not secured a victory against a ranked team since 2003. Williams has achieved a reception in each of the 46 games he has played, recently shining with a three-touchdown showing in a 49-28 victory over Utah State. Washington State’s Wayshawn Parker, a freshman back, has notably recorded nine carries of 20 yards or more, the highest among newcomers. Dampier has hit milestones this season with four games featuring over 100 yards in both passing and rushing, an unprecedented feat for a quarterback in the program’s history. Additionally, Lobos linebacker Randolph Kpai showcased his talent with 15 tackles and two pass breakups in their latest game, a narrow 21-16 triumph over San Diego State. It’s also worth noting that Mateer stands alone as the only quarterback with at least 20 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns this season.
As both teams prepare for this exciting showdown, anticipation is building for what could be a defining moment for Washington State and a crucial opportunity for New Mexico to achieve their postseason dreams.