New Mexico State College Football Preview

When Hal Mumme signed on as head coach three years ago, the offense immediately began building for 2008. His first recruiting class included QB Chase Holbrook and receivers Chris Williams and A.J. Harris. The three have rewritten the school's record books and will be counted on in this their senior seasons to carry the expectations of breaking a 47 year bowl drought for the Aggies. Mumme feels the 6'5, 246 pound Holbrook with 8,485 career passing yards to his name, has the potential to be first round NFL Draft material. But he needs to stay healthy. Williams led the nation in receptions per game and receiving yards just two years ago. He broke his collarbone in the eighth game last fall but still led the team in most of the receiving categories. Harris is only 72 receptions off the WAC record currently held by New Mexico's Terrance Mathis (1989). The OL may not be full of stars but it is the most experienced during Mumme's stint in Las Cruces. The run game has to do more to prevent defenses from blitzing and teeing off on Holbrook. New defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn has taken over and installed a 3-5-3 scheme that will feature a bunch of hybrid athletes. He signed five quality JUCO players here that will have immediate impact. The secondary with three starters back will be the strength. Don't expect miracles. All Dunn has to do is keep opponents under 30 points and NMSU has a shot. The urgency to win has never been bigger given the stars on the offense. This could be the year the Aggies make a serious run at a bowl bid while pushing the big boys of the conference.