The 2024 NCAA school soccer season begins Saturday with a four-game Week 0 schedule, together with one matchup during which the FCS’ Montana State Bobcats go to the New Mexico Lobos of the FBS. Montana State went 8-4 total and 6-2 throughout Huge Sky Convention play final 12 months, with its closing contest being a 35-34 time beyond regulation loss to North Dakota State within the second spherical of the FCS playoffs. New Mexico ended 2023 with a 4-8 total report and a 2-6 mark in opposition to Mountain West Convention rivals. The Bobcats and Lobos are assembly for the third time in historical past and first because the 1947 Harbor Bowl, during which they performed to a 13-13 tie.
Kickoff at College Stadium in Albuquerque, NM is about for 4 p.m. ET. Regardless of being the FCS aspect, the Bobcats are 12.5-point favorites within the newest Montana State vs. New Mexico odds, whereas the over/below for whole factors scored is 53.5. Montana State is the -550 favourite (danger $550 to win $100) on the cash line and the Bobcats are the primary double-digit FCS favorites in opposition to an FBS squad since 2013. Earlier than making any New Mexico vs. Montana State picks or school soccer predictions, you want to see what SportsLine’s Emory Hunt has to say.
Hunt is the founder and CEO of Soccer Gameplan, which has been supplying evaluation of all ranges of soccer since 2007, and a former operating again at Louisiana-Lafayette. He is aware of the sport from a participant’s perspective. As well as, Hunt was 93-78-5 (+777) on his school soccer picks final 12 months. Anybody who has adopted him is manner up.
Now, Hunt has set his sights on Montana State vs. New Mexico and simply locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You’ll be able to head to SportsLine now to see Hunt’s picks. Listed below are a number of school soccer odds and betting traces for New Mexico vs. Montana State:
- Montana State vs. New Mexico unfold: Bobcats -12.5
- Montana State vs. New Mexico over/below: 53.5 factors
- Montana State vs. New Mexico cash line: Bobcats -550, Lobos +400
- MSU: The Bobcats have misplaced 13 consecutive video games in opposition to FBS opponents
- UNM: The Lobos have received every of their final 9 conferences with FCS groups
- Montana State vs. New Mexico picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Montana State can cowl
The Bobcats had one of many prime offenses within the FCS final season, rating second in factors per recreation (39.9) and third in yards per recreation (473.1). They scored a minimum of 40 factors in seven of their 12 contests, producing a season-high 63 of their campaign-opening victory in opposition to Utah Tech. Tommy Mellott, who shared time at quarterback with the now-departed Sean Chambers in 2023, accomplished 63% of his go makes an attempt for 1,068 yards with 10 touchdowns and solely two interceptions whereas additionally operating for 690 yards and 5 scores.
Montana State’s floor assault, which averaged 293 yards and produced 41 TDs final 12 months, additionally contains returnees Julius Davis and Scottre Humphrey. Davis led the crew in speeding with 722 yards and had six landing runs in his first season with the Bobcats after transferring from Wisconsin. Humphrey gained 433 yards on 54 carries and rushed for eight scores as a freshman in 2023. See who to again at SportsLine.
Why New Mexico can cowl
The Lobos scored a median of 27.3 factors final season after producing 13.1 in 2022, the second-largest improve within the FBS over that span. They’ve loved loads of success in opposition to FCS groups, posting a 20-3 total report, and have not suffered a defeat since falling to Sam Houston State 48-45 in time beyond regulation in 2011. New Mexico has received by a median of 33.2 factors throughout its present profitable streak versus FCS opponents.
Devon Dampier takes over because the Lobos’ beginning quarterback this 12 months following a 2023 freshman marketing campaign throughout which he threw for 525 yards with six touchdowns. He additionally was harmful together with his legs, operating for 328 yards and 4 scores. Prime rusher Jacory Croskey-Merritt transferred to Arizona State, leaving Andrew Henry because the crew’s No. 1 possibility out of the backfield. After coming over from UL-Monroe, Henry averaged 6.7 yards on 52 carries and had three TD runs for New Mexico final season. See who to again at SportsLine.
Find out how to make Montana State vs. New Mexico picks
Hunt has analyzed this matchup and whereas we will inform you he is leaning Below on the purpose whole, he has found a vital X-factor that has him leaping throughout one aspect of the unfold. He is solely sharing what it’s, and which aspect to again, at SportsLine.
Who wins Montana State vs. New Mexico on Saturday, and which vital X-factor makes one aspect of the unfold a must-back? Go to SportsLine now to see Saturday’s New Mexico vs. Montana State picks, all from the skilled who was 93-78-5 on his school soccer picks final 12 months.