Saturday, July 20, 2013

NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL: 2013 PRE-SEASON REPORT CARD


PUBLICATION ORDER: Sections of the Pre-Season Report Card are published in the following order: (1) Schedule; (2) Coaching; (3) Momentum (4) Discipline On The Field (i.e. penalties); (5) Turnovers; (6) Special Teams; (7) Defense; (8) Offense; and (9) Summary.


TURNOVERS

Rationale: The past does not always predict the future, but the past often predicts the future

Team Recovered Turnovers (i.e. Gained Turnovers)
[2012 Team Statistic: Recovered Fumbles] 14 total recovered fumbles (1.1 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Caught Interceptions] 11 total caught interceptions (0.8 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Recovered Turnovers (fumbles plus interceptions)] 25 total combined recovered turnovers (1.9 pgp)

Team Lost Turnovers
[2012 Team Statistic: Lost Fumbles] 10 total lost fumbles (0.8 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Thrown Interceptions] 4 total thrown interceptions (0.3 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Lost Turnovers (fumbles plus interceptions)] 14 total combined lost turnovers (1.1 pgp)

NOTE: New Mexico does not have a returning starter at quarterback

Team Combined Net Turnovers [(Recovered Turnovers) minus (Lost Turnovers)]
[2012 Team Statistic: Combined Net Turnovers] positive 11 combined net turnovers (positive 0.8 pgp)

Commentary: Last season, the New Mexico offense used an offensive scheme that was almost exclusively rushing plays, which was a good decision because that offensive scheme gave New Mexico the best opportunity to win immediately.  Consequently, the total offensive interceptions (4) is misleading, but the total offensive fumbles (10) is very good.

GRADE (Turnovers): B plus


DISCIPLINE ON THE FIELD

Rationale: The past does not always predict the future, but the past often predicts the future

Team Penalties
[2012 Team Statistic] 62 total penalties (4.8 pgp)
[2012 Team Statistic] 530 total penalty yards (40.8 pgp)

GRADE (Discipline on the field): A minus


MOMENTUM

Last season, New Mexico had an overall record of 4-9 and lost their final 6 games.  However, New Mexico was playing with an extremely depleted roster after a caching change and actually exceeded expectations for wins.  Many of New Mexico’s losses last season were close losses.

GRADE (Momentum): C


COACHING

Head Coach
Current Tenure as Head Coach at New Mexico: Bob Davie is in his second season as the Head Coach at New Mexico.  In Davie’s first season as the Head Coach at New Mexico, he had an overall record of 4-9 (30.8% wins) and nearly upset Boise State, but ultimately lost 29-32.  In my opinion, Davie was the best MWC Head Coach last season because he best maximized the resources that he had available.

Last Coaching Position: Head Coach at Notre Dame (1997-2001).  From 2002 until Davie was hired at New Mexico, he did not coach, but was a college football analyst on television.

Prior Experience as Head Coach: Head Coach at Notre Dame (1997-2001)

Other Notable Facts: As the Head Coach at Notre Dame, Davie had an overall record of 35-25 (58.3% wins), including a record of 9-3 in 2000 and 9-3 in 1998.  Davie has 26 years of coaching experience.  Other than Davie’s experience as the Head Coach at Notre Dame, nearly all of Davie’s experience has been as a defensive coach, including many seasons as a Defensive Coordinator.  Davie is a highly respected defensive coach.  Davie has coached in 18 bowl games.

Offensive Coordinator
Current Tenure as Offensive Coordinator at New Mexico: Bob DeBesse is in his second season as the Offensive Coordinator at New Mexico.  DeBesse is also the Quarterbacks Coach at New Mexico.  Last season, the New Mexico offense was ranked #87 in the nation for total offense, but DeBesse was working with an extremely depleted roster.

Last Coaching Position: Offensive Coordinator at Sam Houston State (FCS) (2010-2011)

Prior Experience as Offensive Coordinator: Sam Houston State (FCS) (2010-2011), Minnesota (1992-1996), and TCU (1990-1991)

Other Notable Facts: In 2011, North Dakota State defeated Sam Houston State in the FCS National Championship by a score of 17-6.  In 2011, when DeBesse was the Offensive Coordinator at Sam Houston State, the team averaged 36.9 points per game.

Defensive Coordinator
Current Tenure as Defensive Coordinator at New Mexico: Jeff Mills is in his second season as the Defensive Coordinator at New Mexico.  Mills is also the Defensive Backs Coach at New Mexico.  Last season, the New Mexico defense was ranked #97 in the nation for total defense, but Mills was working with an extremely depleted roster.

Last Coaching Position: Secondary Coach at Washington (2009-2011)

Prior Experience as Defensive Coordinator: Youngstown State (FCS) (2007-2009), Idaho (2006), Nevada (2000-2003), and Idaho (1998-1999)

Other Notable Facts: Mills has coached in 4 bowl games, including 2 Rose Bowl games (1991 & 1990)

Special Teams Coordinator
Current Tenure as Special Teams Coordinator at New Mexico: Coleman Hutzler is in his second season as the Special Teams Coordinator at New Mexico.  Hutzler is also the Outside Linebackers Coach at New Mexico.

Last Coaching Position: Defensive and Special Teams Assistant Coach at Florida (2010-2011)

Prior Experience as Special Teams Coordinator: None

Other Notable Facts: From 2008 to 2009, Hutzler was a Special Teams Assistant Coach at Stanford

GRADE (Coaching): B (C or C plus without Davie)


SCHEDULE

Total Home Games: 6
Consecutive Home Games:
§  Week 5 (UNLV) and Week 6 (New Mexico State)
§  Week 11 (Air Force) and Week 12 (Colorado State)

Total Away Games: 6
Consecutive Away Games:
§  Week 2 (at UTEP) and Week 3 (at Pittsburgh)
§  Week 13 (at Fresno State) and Week 14 (at Boise State)

Bye Weeks:
§  Week 4 (September 17, 2013 through September 23, 2013)
§  Week 9 (October 22, 2013 through October 28, 2013)

MWC Non-Division Games (i.e. games against MWC West Division Teams):
§  Week 5 (Home vs. UNLV)
§  Week 10 (Away at San Diego State)
§  Week 13 (Away at Fresno State)

Week 1: UTSA at New Mexico
Game #: 1
Game Date: Saturday, August 31, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm MT (7:00pm CT)
Stadium: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Elevation of Stadium: 5,100 feet
Elevation Change for UTSA: increase by 4,330 feet
Travel Distance for UTSA: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for UTSA: decrease by 1 hour (CT to MT)
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: temperature may be in the 90’s at kickoff (6:00pm MT), but will cool during the game
Stadium Noise: moderate

Week 2: New Mexico at UTEP
Game #: 2
Game Date: Saturday, September 7, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm MT
Stadium: Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, TX)
Elevation of Stadium: 3,910 feet
Elevation Change for New Mexico: decrease by 1,190 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for New Mexico: none
Field Surface: artificial (Matrix 46)
Weather: temperature may be in the 90’s at kickoff (6:00pm MT), but will cool during the game
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: first game of 2013 season for UTEP

Week 3: New Mexico at Pittsburgh
Game #: 3
Game Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013
Kickoff Time: 12:30pm ET (10:30am MT)
Stadium: Heinz Field (Pittsburgh, PA)
Elevation of Stadium: 720 feet
Elevation Change for New Mexico: decrease by 4,380 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico: 1,497 miles (flight time is approximately 3 hours)
Time Change for New Mexico: increase by 2 hours (MT to ET)
Field Surface: grass (Kentucky Blue Grass)
Weather: temperature may reach the 90’s by the end of the game; humidity may exacerbate heat; summer rain is possible
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Early kickoff time (12:30pm ET (10:30am MT)) may be problematic for younger New Mexico players.  Pittsburgh has nearly two weeks to prepare for this game because Pittsburgh’s prior game is on Monday, September 2, 2013.

Week 4: September 17, 2013 through September 23, 2013
BYE WEEK

Week 5: UNLV at New Mexico
Game #: 4
Game Date: Saturday, September 28, 2013
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm MT (5:00pm PT)
Stadium: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Elevation of Stadium: 5,100 feet
Elevation Change for UNLV: increase by 3,500 feet
Travel Distance for UNLV: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for UNLV: increase by 1 hour (PT to MT)
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: insignificant (night game in late September)
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: New Mexico has an extra week to prepare for this game because New Mexico has a bye in the prior week (Week 4).  Fun Fact: There is a city in New Mexico called Las Vegas.

Week 6: New Mexico State at New Mexico
Game #: 5
Game Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
Kickoff Time: 4:00pm MT
Stadium: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Elevation of Stadium: 5,100 feet
Elevation Change for New Mexico State: increase by 1,100 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico State: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for New Mexico State: none
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: insignificant (late afternoon game in early October)
Stadium Noise: high
Commentary: Rio Grande Rivalry Game.  Rio Grande Rivalry Game has been played more than 100 times.  First Rio Grande Rivalry Game was played in 1894.  New Mexico became a U.S. state in 1912.

Week 7: New Mexico at Wyoming (MWC Mountain Division Game)
Game #: 6
Game Date: Saturday, October 12, 2013
Kickoff Time: TBA
Stadium: Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium (Laramie, WY)
Elevation of Stadium: 7,220 feet
Elevation Change for New Mexico: increase by 2,120 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for New Mexico: none
Field Surface: artificial (Desso Challenge Pro 60)
Weather: (kickoff time is TBA) temperature could be in the 40’s by nighttime, but New Mexico practices in similar weather in Albuquerque
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: Wyoming has an extra week to prepare for this game because Wyoming has a bye in the prior week (Week 6)

Week 8: Utah State at New Mexico (MWC Mountain Division Game)
Game #: 7
Game Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013
Kickoff Time: 4:00pm MT
Stadium: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Elevation of Stadium: 5,100 feet
Elevation Change for Utah State: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for Utah State: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for Utah State: none
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: insignificant (late afternoon game in mid-October)
Stadium Noise: moderate

Week 9: October 22, 2013 through October 28, 2013
BYE WEEK

Week 10: New Mexico at San Diego State
Game #: 8
Game Date: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Kickoff Time: TBA
Stadium: Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego, CA)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for New Mexico: decrease by 5,025 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for New Mexico: decrease by 1 hour (MT to PT)
Field Surface: grass
Weather:  It’s San Diego!  It will be like playing indoors (except for the seagulls), but just a bit cooler if the game is at night (kickoff time is TBA).  [BIG TIP: Bring an umbrella for protection from seagulls!]
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: New Mexico has an extra week to prepare for this game because New Mexico has a bye in the prior week (Week 9)

Week 11: Air Force at New Mexico (MWC Mountain Division Game)
Game #: 9
Game Date: Friday, November 8, 2013
Kickoff Time: 7:00pm MT
Stadium: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Elevation of Stadium: 5,100 feet
Elevation Change for Air Force: decrease by 1,521 feet
Travel Distance for Air Force: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for Air Force: none
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: temperature could drop down to the 30’s by the end of the game; possible snow on the ground; possible snow before and/or during game
Stadium Noise: moderate

Week 12: Colorado State at New Mexico (MWC Mountain Division Game)
Game #: 10
Game Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013
Kickoff Time: 1:00pm MT
Stadium: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Elevation of Stadium: 5,100 feet
Elevation Change for Colorado State: insignificant (less than 1,000 feet)
Travel Distance for Colorado State: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for Colorado State: none
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: possible snow on the ground; possible snow before and/or during game
Stadium Noise: moderate
Commentary: New Mexico has one extra day to prepare for this game because New Mexico has a Friday home game in the prior week (Week 11)

Week 13: New Mexico at Fresno State
Game #: 11
Game Date: Saturday, November 23, 2013
Kickoff Time: 4:00pm PT (5:00pm MT)
Stadium: Bulldog Stadium (Fresno, CA)
Elevation of Stadium: effectively sea level
Elevation Change for New Mexico: decrease by 4,765 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for New Mexico: decrease by 1 hour (MT to PT)
Field Surface: artificial (FieldTurf)
Weather: insignificant (late afternoon game in late November)
Stadium Noise: moderate

Week 14: New Mexico at Boise State (MWC Mountain Division Game)
Game #: 12
Game Date: Saturday, November 30, 2013
Kickoff Time: TBA
Stadium: Bronco Stadium (Boise, ID)
Elevation of Stadium: 2,695 feet
Elevation Change for New Mexico: decrease by 2,405 feet
Travel Distance for New Mexico: insignificant (less than 1,000 miles)
Time Change for New Mexico: none
Field Surface: artificial (Blue FieldTurf)
Weather: (kickoff time is TBA) temperature could drop to the 30’s by nighttime; possible snow on the ground, possible snow before and/or during game
Stadium Noise: moderate

GRADE (higher grade indicates favorable schedule): D plus



NOTE: Grading Standards: Grades are based on a national scale.  Unlike modern academia, my grades are not inflated.  A grade of “C” is average.  A grade of “C” is neither good nor bad; it is simply average.  A grade of “A” or “F” is rare.

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