The Arizona Wildcats went to the Fiesta Bowl last season, but this year they have taken a drop, to the point where it may be something of a "comedown" for them to be in a minor bowl game. That is what they are involved with, however, and it may be their ill-fortune that the team they are facing is not only one that is excited to be appearing in their first bowl game for some time, but also one where that foe is at home. The New Mexico Lobos play host to the 'Cats in the New Mexico Bowl, starting at 2 PM ET at University Stadium in Albuquerque. By the way, after the opening kickoff, BetAnySports customers get to test their skill against the NCAA football betting odds in real time through the magic of Live Betting Extra.

Arizona ended the season with a 6-6 straight-up record (5-6-1 ATS), and there were injury problems throughout - in fact, involving their three best players. Scooby Wright, who went into the season as perhaps the the best linebacker in the nation, hardly got on the field. Nick Wilson had 736 yards on the ground despite being sidelined with knee problems for part of the campaign. And quarterback Anu Solomon, who had a fine ratio of 18 touchdowns to four interceptions but still fell short of 2014 numbers, has had concussion symptoms, although he will be part of the action here.

New Mexico struggled for a few years under coach Bob Davie, but finally flourished this season as a little more passing was injected into the Pistol offense and the defense switched to a 3-3-5 alignment. They came up with a number of nice wins and compiled a 7-5 straight-up record, with a 6-6 record against the football pointspread that was somewhat surprising, given the way they exceeded expectations.

In the NCAA football betting odds posted at BetAnySports, Arizona is a sizable favorite:

Arizona Wildcats -9.5 (-105)
New Mexico Lobos +9.5 (-115)

Over 65 points -110
Under 65 points -110

We don't want to create the impression that the Lobos were extremely successful when they were throwing the football; after all, they averaged only 132 yards a game through the air and had just five TD passes (to go with eleven interceptions). Their bread and butter is obviously the run game, and they have a nice duo of backs to unleash on opponents, with Jhurell Presley and Teriyon Gipson combining for over 1600 yards. Essentially, the running quarterback is Lamar Jordan (672 yards) while Austin Apodaca is more the passer, and Davie, the former head coach at Notre Dame (not to mention an ex-color man on ESPN) does a good job mixing them up.

New Mexico has suffered four of its five losses by double digits, but BetAnySports patrons should also be interested in the fact that they have recorded significant wins over the likes of Utah State, Boise State and Air Force. The 3-3-5 defense is similar to that which Rocky Long employed in Albuquerque, but the Lobos did not do a tremendous job of keeping quality running games in check.

Let's see if Arizona comes with one. Solomon has talked a lot about things like redemption, but he is not a big ground gainer (186 yards, 3 ypc), so the burden is on Nick Wilson, who is a game-changer when in the lineup. And speaking of game-changers, the aforementioned Wright is a dominant force from his linebacking spot - when healthy. Is he healthy enough to make a difference here? Good question. An even better question might be whether New Mexico's enthusiasm for being here - remembering that they shut out Colin Kaepernick and Nevada 23-0 the last time they played in a bowl, and at home, no less - might combine with a possible lack of enthusiasm on the part of Arizona to make for a close game.

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