The 2024 college football schedule begins in Week 0 with the first-ever meeting between the New Mexico Lobos out of the Mountain West and the Montana State Bobcats, who reached the FCS playoffs last season. Who emerges victorious in what will be the debut of UNM’s Bronco Mendenhall?
Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a New Mexico vs. Montana State prediction.
New Mexico vs. Montana State Betting and DFS Preview
All New Mexico vs. Montana State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.
- Spread
Montana State -11
- Moneyline
Montana State -455, New Mexico +350
- Over/Under
54.0 points
- Game time
4 p.m. ET
- Location
University Stadium (NM), Albuquerque, N.M.
- Predicted Weather at Kick
91 degrees, 8-10 MPH wins, mostly cloudy with a thundershower in spots - How to Watch
FS1
Two seasons after he stepped down as head coach of Virginia, Mendenhall has returned to the sidelines with New Mexico. It is a familiar sideline, though, given that he served as defensive coordinator and associate head coach for the Lobos under Rocky Long from 1998-2002.
His return to Albuquerque will begin as a betting underdog against Montana State, who started the 2023 season by winning eight of its first 10 games before losses to Montana in the Brawl of the Wild and to North Dakota State in its opening game of the FCS Playoffs to close out an 8-4 campaign.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
New Mexico dropped six of its final eight games last season to conclude Danny Gonzales’ tenure with the program at 4-8. They were up and down when it comes to their performance against the spread: 6-6 overall, 2-2 in non-conference games, and 5-4 as an underdog.
Meanwhile, Montana State has not faced an FBS opponent since losing by 40 points at Oregon State on Sept. 17, 2022. The Bobcats have dropped both games played against FBS opponents under head coach Brent Vigen (loss to Wyoming in 2021).
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Devon Dampier (UNM)
- QB Tommy Mellott (MT ST)
- RB Eli Sanders (UNM)
- RB Scottre Humphrey (MT ST)
- WR Shawn Miller (UNM)
- WR Nic Trujillo (UNM)
- TE Trace Bruckler (UNM)
- WR Lonyatta Alexander Jr. (MT ST)
- WR Ty McCullouch (MT ST)
- TE Ryan Lonergan (MT ST)
Dampier might have only started once last season as a freshman, but he made enough electrifying plays to find himself atop the depth chart entering the season. Only six FBS quarterbacks averaged over eight yards per pass attempt and 5.5 yards per rush attempt last season. Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels was one. So was Dampier.
Prediction for New Mexico vs. Montana State
After finishing second among FCS teams in points per game (39.9) and rushing yards per game (291.0) last season, Montana State is not your typical cupcake opponent for a season opener.
The Bobcats return seven All-Conference selections from the 2023 roster. In addition to their starting quarterback, they return five offensive linemen with significant starting experience, their top wide receiver, and their top four running backs.
Mellott has been the Bobcats’ starting quarterback since the 2021 playoffs and will enter the season with 3,241 passing yards and 2,474 rushing yards in his career. He is the type of dual-threat option that could cause opponents problems, especially in the early portion of the season.
College football is better with Mendenhall in it, so it is good to see him back where he belongs. But the Lobos return less than half of their total production from last season, meaning there will likely be some bumps and bruises early on.
Remember, the only time a Mendenhall-coached team finished the regular season with a losing record was his first one at Virginia when the Cavaliers struggled to a 2-10 mark. He will get New Mexico moving in the right direction, but it might not be right away.
Prediction: Montana State 27, New Mexico 13
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