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College football: Predicting who finishes in last place of every conference

By Maitland Rutledge

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Illinois Football head coach Lovie Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Illinois Football head coach Lovie Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HONOLULU, HI – OCTOBER 29: Head Coach Bob Davie of the New Mexico Lobos during the second half of a NCAA college football game at Aloha Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. the New Mexico Lobos defeated the Hawaii Warriors 28-21. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI – OCTOBER 29: Head Coach Bob Davie of the New Mexico Lobos during the second half of a NCAA college football game at Aloha Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii. the New Mexico Lobos defeated the Hawaii Warriors 28-21. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) /

Mountain West: New Mexico

New Mexico is hoping to find success in the Mountain West during a season that will be filled with distractions and controversy.

When Bob Davie took over the Lobos in 2012, he was looking to make Albuquerque a staple in the Mountain West Conference. Three consecutive three and four-win seasons did little to increase optimism, but in 2015 the team appeared to turn the corner.

New Mexico went 6-6 and made their first bowl since 2007, but fell to Arizona in the New Mexico Bowl. 2016 was the program’s best season in a while. The Lobos went 8-4 and defeated UTSA in the New Mexico Bowl. Unfortunately, the team plummeted last year.

New Mexico went 3-9 with only one win in conference play and went from being co-champions of the Mountain Division to last place. In addition, it was reported last season that Davie had violated ethical conduct and compliance sections of his contract. He was suspended for 30 days in the spring, but most speculated he would be fired. Attempting to pick up the pieces will be difficult for him in 2018 following the allegations and a down season.

The Lobos were ranked sixth in the conference in total defense but will lose some talent for 2018. Safeties Jake Rothschiller and Jacob Girgle are gone, having led the team in tackles with 76 and 68. The team does retain starting linebacker Alex Hart and emerging defensive lineman Emmanuel Joseph, who led the team in sacks with 2.5.

While the defense was promising last year, the offense was not. New Mexico was 10th in the conference in total offense and 11th in passing. The team’s leading passer Tevaka Tuioti is returning but only threw for 705 yards while splitting time with Lamar Jordan. Jordan was not much better, throwing for only 604 yards. With Jordan graduated, it is Tuioti’s job to take, but can he take his game to the next level? Having leading receiver Jay Griffin IV return will help too.

The running game kept the Lobos in most games last season and more of the same may be asked for in 2018. The team was fourth in the conference in rushing led by Tyrone Owens, who is returning for his senior year.

With all the distractions Davie is facing for 2018, all eyes in Albuquerque will be on him. Another losing season and more information dropping could spell the end of his time with New Mexico. With Wisconsin as a non-conference matchup and facing seven bowl teams from last year, a 3-9 or at worst 2-10 record seems likely.