Dec 14, 20232 min read

The Aggies to play the Bulldogs in The New Mexico Bowl.

Albuquerque, New Mexico — 'University Stadium' Photo Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr

On Saturday, December 16th, college football bowl game action kicks off with a slate of seven games, the New Mexico Bowl will be included at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Isleta New Mexico Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events. Learn more here about Isleta.

Broadcast Info:

Date/Time: December 16th, 2023 5:45 PM EST

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

TV: ESPN

On the Call: Clay Matvick, Rod Gilmore

Radio: ESPN Radio (check your local source)

What's at Stake?

While it’s tough to see what Fresno has at stake in this game, maybe playing for an absent coach (due to health reasons), New Mexico State is playing at a slight home-field advantage, being in the State of New Mexico, and around 30,000 local fans are expected to be in attendance.

Key Players: New Mexico State Aggies

Offensive – QB Diego Pavia was injured (shoulder) in the conference finals but is expected to play.

Defensive – LB Keyshaun Elliott 101 TKL, 55 SOL, 46 AST, 7 TFL, 3 SCK

New Mexico State, out of Conference USA, brings a 10-4 record into this game. This is NMSU’s 2nd straight bowl invitation under Coach Jerry Kill as he continues to revitalize the program.

Key Players: Fresno State Bulldogs

Offensive – QB Mikey Keene also banged up (leg, concussion), but is expected to play.

Defensive – LB Malachi Langley 80 TKL, 39 SOL, 41 AST, 2 TFL, 1 SCK

Head Coach Jeff Tedford is stepping aside, due to health reasons, for this game with Linebackers Coach Tim Skipper filling in. Although ranked #24, with an 8-4 record, Fresno has lost their last 3 games.

Prediction – New Mexico Bowl

ESPN shows Fresno State as a slight favorite at 54.2%, but NMSU is a 3.5-point betting favorite which is an item of interest. Another item of note is New Mexico State has never lost a bowl game with a lifetime record of 4-0-1. NMSU lost in the Conference finals and brings a banged-up Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year to the game, but he should play and a lot will depend on that throwing shoulder. This will certainly be a battle of wounded QBs, but one will be without his head coach and having lost the last three. Look for the Aggies to not only cover but also make a statement.