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Are the Lobos bowl worthy?
While New Mexico waits to hear whether it will land in the Fort Worth Bowl, it seems like a good time to ask whether the Lobos are bowl worthy?
Fans were outraged when the 2001 team went 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Mountain West Conference but did not earn a bowl berth. The expectations were much lower and Lobos fans loved the underdogs.
This season, the Lobos appeared prime for its first Mountain West Conference title and struggled with prosperity. New Mexico stumbled to a 6-5 overall record and 4-4 conference mark.
It's far from perfect, but it's far better than much of Lobos' football history rife with losing records.
The current college football post-season system isn't a playoff system and is typically just a reward for teams who finish above .500. The Lobos fit that mold.
I know plenty of New Mexico fans who suffered through an 0-11 season and would have given anything to watch a competitive team.
This year's group may not have met their own expectations or the ones laid out by fans, but they did meet the standards to go bowling.
Why stand in their way?
I've heard an earful on sports talk radio, but I'm curious whether fans on the message boards believe the Lobos deserve to play in a bowl game. Share your thoughts by clicking on the comments section, and we'll run some of them before the big Texas-Texas A&M and Iowa State-Kansas games this weekend. I would love to see real names on posts but understand if you prefer to use your Internet handle.
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Posted by: Andrew Chavez | November 23, 2005 08:29 PM
Deserve has nothing to do with it. We went 10-1 one season and did not sniff a bowl game did we deserve that?
If 6 and 5 is good enough to be invited we deserve to go.
Besides we have a group of seniors that have worked their guts out for one more shot at going out a winner. If not for the whole team and the fans Dontrell, Hank, Ryan and the rest of the seniors deserve to go.
In my opnion the Lobo program deserves a bit of sunshine and a bowl game is just the sunny day .
Posted by: The Big Bad Wolf | November 23, 2005 08:31 PM
I definitely think they should go bowling. While this has been a disappointing year, this team (with a healthy Kole McKamey) has the offensive firepower to knock off their opponent in a Bowl Game and end the current three year jinx.
Mark it down: If the Lobos get a Bowl this year, they will win it.
Also, this team deserves it - if for no other reason, than simply because our seniors have earned it. DonTrell and Hank are two of the finest young people to ever wear the cherry and silver.
Posted by: LostLobo | November 23, 2005 08:56 PM
They are qualified for one, so yes they deserve it, because they have accomplished what the rules say you must to go. Now, if there are more eligible teams than bowl bids and you compared them to other 6-5 teams and tried to decide amonst them, then that's not so cut and dried. In that case, it depends on how the other teams are and what they've done.
Posted by: Lubbock Lobo | November 23, 2005 09:10 PM
First, the Lobos have met the criteria the NCAA has set up to be bowl eligible, so yes they deserve to go.
Second, the seniors on this years team have a chance to make a bowl game four years in a row. These young men have worked hard over this period and deserve the chance to get that first bowl win.
Third, the team gets more valuable practice time for the underclassmen.
Fourth, it will give the team a chance to regroup and end the season on a winning note after losing a couple of heart breaking games.
Posted by: milehighlobo | November 23, 2005 09:18 PM
We're worthy, invite or no invite. We beat two bowl teams. We played two and a half games without our starting QB. We had adversity, but battled through. The bowl is a reward for a good season and 6-5 is a winning season, and i'd call that good.
Posted by: LobosFan871XX | November 23, 2005 09:18 PM
The Lobos are certainly deserving to go to a bowl game just like any other 6-5 team that is going. The problem is the MWC has only three bowl tie-ins. Of course it is still up to bowl committees to decide who should be invited or not. By loosing to Air Force we did not make a strong case in front of bowl committees.
Posted by: LOBOGABE | November 23, 2005 10:49 PM
Yes the lobos deserve to go to a bowl game, we beat Utah they are going, so if there are any idiots think we should not go bowling then they are not true fans. We could be like our friends south and not win a game at all. This the best senior class we have ever had. If we do go i will guarantee we will win they will be so motivated.
Posted by: Daniel Penick | November 23, 2005 11:15 PM
This team certainly deserves the chance at a bowl game with a better than .500 record and some quality wins against Mizzou and Utah. This senior class is arguably the most talented and most decorated of any in history.
DonTrell so close to a record 5,000 yard career with a bruising, senior-led O-Line there to pave the way; Hank three receptions away from third all time in career receptions; and Fullbright an INT away from tying the record for most INTs in a career. And that's just the tip of the iceberg with this group!
Posted by: PHILLY_1982 | November 24, 2005 02:07 AM
The Lobos dont deserve to go to a bowl. I cant handle another bowl blowout and disappointment.
UNM vs AFA is the perfect example why UNM should not Bowl.
If any team has to wait for their fate based on two other teams then the answer should clearly be NO! There is too many bowls to begin with, and only good teams should bowl.
GO LOBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mikemoe | November 24, 2005 03:06 AM
Of course they dont deserve it. They cant beat a 3-7 team fro the Mountain Weak Conference! Personally I think there are too many bowls and no 6-5 teams deserve to go. Only the top two teams from any non BCS conference should go providing they have 7 wins.
Posted by: Jacob Chalet | November 24, 2005 05:41 AM
There are many other 6-5 teams across the nation in bowls this year. Do their fans beat each other up and say "should we go bowling; we dont 'deserve' it?" Ridiculous for us to even ask. Utah is 6-5 and we beat them (yet again) in Utah. Are any of their fans being so selfish as to want to deprive their team of a bowl? No one says "we dont deserve to go." Why should we be any different?!
The bowl is for the seniors who set a record with 5 straight non losing seasons at UNM. Simply unheard of in all of UNM's existence. Yes they deserve the bowl. They are worthy because they are bowl eligible at 6-5 and have displayed some very impressive victories at Missouri a big 12 power, and at Utah, last years Fiesta bolw champions. They have at least 3 sure fire NFL draftess including 2 that were rated #1 and #2 in the nation at their positions by a major NFL draft analyzer.Our RB is 27 yards from being the 12th person in NCAA history to recah 5,000 yards in a career.
Im very excited for the bowl and very certain that all of UNM football is doing some deep introspection these days and praying they have one last chance at redemption for them and their senior's brilliant career's. Lets go bowling!
Posted by: David Polansky | November 24, 2005 08:00 AM
I see no reason to say the Lobos don't deseve a bowl despite the loss to Air Force, especially considering CSU, Utah, and BYU are bowling. I think the question to be asked is whether 6-5 teams in general should be going to bowls in the first place, not whether UNM specifically "deserves" a bid. Regardless, I hope UNM does get to go bowling and, if so, I will definately be at the game as I have for all their bowls since '97!
Posted by: loboray | November 24, 2005 09:25 AM
Yep, they deserve to go as much as CSU, Utah, or BYU. They are qualified. When you are given an invitation, you bowl.
Posted by: Chuck Mackley | November 24, 2005 11:34 AM
What a ridiculous question? Of course the Lobos should go to a bowl game. Is anyone rational even considering not going if invited? Any fan worth his/her salt would be thrilled to see one more gme.
Plus we need to see the seniors go out in a much deserved blaze of glory. if they go this year, they will win. We just need Kole back and healthy.
Posted by: LoboLimb | November 24, 2005 12:35 PM
They most certainly deserve to go. They earned it with their Bowl eligible record and all their hard work year round. Rocky Long was right when he said that the Lobo Football culture needs to change. This question should not even be raised. Other college programs and fans jump at the chance, any chance, to play another game. Some say that because the Lobos lost their last game of their season that they don't deserve to go to a Bowl. I guess since BYU (also at home) and so many other programs lost their last game of the season, they should not go to a Bowl game either.
Posted by: judas_priest | November 24, 2005 01:32 PM
Philly wrote: "The Lobos dont deserve to go to a bowl. I cant handle another bowl blowout and disappointment"
That's really swift. The Lobos don't deserve to go because he doesn't want to be upset at the result he anticipates. How narcissistic can you get?
One point I haven't seen mentioned - the time to practice for and play in the bowl helpos make us better next year.
Posted by: Bandito | November 25, 2005 02:50 AM
Dom and I have been going back and forth for this for a week now and it comes down to this for me. The rules are set up so a 6-5 or better team is bowl eligible. The BCS schools made a rule that if a team was 5-5 and beat a 1AA school they could count that victory to make them 6-5 and thus be worthy of a bowl. When a school like UNM becomes bowl worthy/eligible they HAVE to take that bowl because these other schools are working so hard to keep us out.
I also cruise the other MWC bowl eligible teams websites that are 6-5 and have their bowl bid and I don't see this conversation going on. The same "we are only 6-5 and don't deserve a bid" conversation just isn't there. Most if not all newspapers are online and there aren't any other media members in these towns talking whether Utah or CSU are worthy. Only in New Mexico do we have this self defeatist attitude. For so many years we have been losers and now that we have sort of success we don't want it or fear it.
Posted by: MinerAlum93 | November 25, 2005 07:56 AM
Hell, no they should not go. Beating a very medicore Missouri team does not qualify them for a bowl, neither does playing in a watered down league.
The MWC champ lost to lowly SMU from C-USA, enough said. Give me a break!
Posted by: Mike | November 25, 2005 08:16 AM
NM deserves to go as much as many other 6-5 teams that will go. The bowl system has nothing to do with merit. We saw that when NM went 10-1 and was left out, many years ago. They would take a 2-9 Notre Dame before a 8-3 MWC team if they could. Besides if NM gets selected for the Fort Worth bowl it is because there is an agreement in place between the bowl and MWC.If New Mexico gets the opportunity we should be glad and forget about merit. The bowls don't care.
Posted by: Hador | November 25, 2005 09:03 AM
Let me put it like this:
When in Rome do as the Romans do!
Yes, there are way too many bowl games around. Personally I wouldn't mind to see half of them gone.
However since they are around and the Lobos are bowl eligible by NCAA rules why shouldn't they go, if they get the chance? Yes, I too am pretty disapointed by the way this season went, but we have a great senior class, quite possibly the best ever at UNM, personally I would love to see them in action one last time. Also the way things are UNM needs every chance it can get to raise it's nationwide profile, a bowl game is definitely a good way to do it.
Posted by: Professor | November 25, 2005 11:12 AM
They are deserving that they meet all the bowl criteria and as deserving as any other 6-5 team. They're worthy because of all the great seniors on this team led by DonTrell and Hank, an unprecedented 3 straight appearances and one more chance to take home a win. After the loss to AF (without Kole or Chris), there's some guys on this team with something to prove before they hang up their helments for good - and some that would like to bridge their way into the NFL with a win. Go Lobos!!!!
Posted by: Dino Lodato | November 25, 2005 11:35 AM
Why is everyone elses 6 wins worthy and the Lobos 6 wins not? If you win 6 Division 1A games it makes you eligible and therefore worthy of a bowl game.
Sounds like babble from little bitter children trying to upset Lobo fans by saying, "yeah you won 6 games but you still suck."
This years team didn't meet its expectations of a conference championship, but it did meet its bowl eligibilty requirements and now it's time for the Lobos to get their bowl bid.
Posted by: PHILLY_1982 | November 25, 2005 12:38 PM
The question is "are they bowl worthy?"
Other than the MWC's tie-in with the Ft. Worth Bowl, do we deserve to bowl?
Based on UNM's play, do you think they deresve to play?
This is what I based my answer on.
Wether they are "worthy" I think they should bowl(regardless what other think from my earlier post).
This isnt the team that started out 3-0.
GO LOBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lampchoplobo | November 25, 2005 02:57 PM
Yes the Lobos deserve a bowl bid as much as CSU and Utah.As for the ignorant comments from Mineralum93...when you take shots at TCU I can only assume you are still bitter about being left out of the league...get over it and stick to picking up litter around the Sun Bowl.Yea weve had our highs and lows this season but we are tough on the road and with Kole back we can play with anybody.
Posted by: judas_priest | November 25, 2005 04:15 PM
Philly:
stop posting before you jam your virtual foot deeper into you virtual mouth.
1. There is no MC connection to the Ft. Worth Bowl - the Lobos go only if the conference with the contracts can't supply an eligible team. Assuming that Iowa State bets Kansis, the big12 won't be able to, so the Lobos back in.2. Your second post cleverly omits the beginning of the first post in this thread - that the Lobos shouldn't go because you don't want to see them lose.
3. The question of whether a team is "bowl-worthy" is meaningless if broadened beyond the technical questiopns of eligibility. If the rules say they qualify, they are, by definition, bowl-worthy.
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Posted by: junioir2430 | November 22, 2005 01:54 PM