“I just want to see that number next to the name.”
Talking to one New Mexico fan about their exciting season, their request was simple.
They didn’t mention conference championships or CFP bids; rather, they just wanted to see the Lobos on the AP Poll.
What is a given for a lot of schools is actually history-making for the University of New Mexico. Their No. 22 in this week’s AP Poll marks the first time the school has been featured in the aforementioned Top 25 in the 90-year history of the rankings.
Sayonara, Lobos
UNM’s victory against San Jose State punched its ticket to cracking the poll, aided by a big victory over North Dakota State the week prior. The Lobos sit at 7-1 and 4-0 in the Mountain West.
With New Mexico earning the No. 22, they leave an exclusive group of FBS schools that have never found their way into the AP Poll.
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU Owls)
- Eastern Michigan University (EMU Eagles)
- University of South Alabama (Jaguars)
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte 49ers)
- Kennesaw State University (KSU Owls)
- Georgia State University (Panthers)
- University of Akron (Zips)
- University of Delaware (Blue Hens)
- Missouri State University (Grizzlies)
- Texas State University (Bobcats)
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB Blazers)
- University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM Warhawks)
- Jacksonville State University (Gamecocks)
- Sam Houston State University (Bearkats)
- Old Dominion University (ODU Monarchs)
- Florida International University (FIU Panthers)
- Georgia Southern University (Eagles)
- Arkansas State University (Red Wolves)
- Middle Tennessee State University (Blue Raiders)
- University of Massachusetts (UMass Minutemen)
Close, But No Cigar
The last time UNM came this close to the AP? 1997.
UNM has earned two rankings before, but both of them came in the Coaches’ Poll. In 1964, the Lobos finished 16th in the final Coaches Poll, while in 1997, they finished 25th in the final regular season poll.
Jason Eck’s next game vs. Nevada will be just the second time that the University of New Mexico has played as a ranked team, losing in the 1997 WAC Conference Title game in 1997.
More History On The Way?
If the Lobos can find their way to the title game and take home the purple and silver trophy, it will be UNM’s first conference title since 1964.
Better yet, if Jason Eck can win a conference title in his second season, it will be the quickest any UNM head coach has ever done it (Bill Weeks won the WAC in his third season in 1962).
If you want to grow even more ambitious, if UNM were able to lock down a CFP bid…
Quickest Coaches to Make CFP:
Curt Cignetti, Indiana – 1 Season
Sonny Dykes, TCU – 1 Season
*Jason Eck, New Mexico – 2 Seasons*
Bob Chesney, James Madison – 2 Seasons
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State – 2 Seasons
Not some bad company. Potentially.
Can UNM write some more history? For now, the fans will just enjoy seeing that No. 22 hang next to their name on the television scorebug this Saturday vs. Nevada.
