The Long Road to Glory. A Ryne Scott Journey- CFB26

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE NATION RECAP

With the arrival of Week 8, here is a look at the current Top-25 Rankings with the CFP Rankings just 2 weeks away. We will also look at some of the Conference races and how things might pan out over the final 5 weeks of the regular season.

TOP-25
#1 (6-0) Ole Miss (Coming off a 49-20 win @ LSU) Will play @ Arkansas in Week 8
#2 (6-0) Alabama (Just beat Vanderbilt 56-31). Will host Tennessee in Week 8
#3 (5-1) Georgia (Defeated South Carolina 42-17) will face #20 Auburn in Week 8
#4 (6-1) Ohio State (Moved up 2 spot in the ranking despite being on back to back Bye's)
#5 (6-0) North Texas (Moved up 2 spots this week)
#6 (5-1) Oregon (was ranked #1 but lost 31-28 to #22 Michigan). They will host Indiana in Week 8.
#7 (5-1) Miami (moved up 4 spots from #11..
#8 (4-2) USC (moved up 2 spots) Will host #15 PItt in Week 8
#9 (6-2) Notre Dame. (Moved up 5 spots from #14 with win over Pitt who was ranked #9.) They will play @ Navy in Week 8
#10 (5-2) Texas. (Coming off a 52-7 win over Arkansas will play @ Miss State in Week 8)
#11 (5-1) Texas Tech. (Coming off a 41-31 win @ BYU) Will play @ TCU in Week 8
#12 (5-1) Louisville (Coming off a 34-17) loss to #21 Duke, was ranked #5). Will play @ Wake Forest in Week 8
#13 (6-2) Texas A&M (Beat Missouri 20-10) will now play @ LSU
#14 (6-1) Duke (Moved up 7 spots from #21 with the win over Louisville). They will play @ #16 UNC in Week 8
#15 (5-1) Pitt (Was ranked #9 before their loss to the Irish) Now will face another Top-10 team in #8 USC
#16 (6-0) UNC.(Coming off a Week 7 Bye, they will try and stay undefeated against the Blue Devils.
#17 (5-1) Boise State. (The Broncos only loss of the season was @ Oregon.. They will host Cal in Week 8
#18 (5-1) Nebraska.. The Cornhusker were on a "Bye" in Week 7 and will host BYU in Week 8
#19 (4-2) Michigan. (They moved up 3 spots with the win over Oregon.. They will play @ Wisconsin in Week 8
#20 (5-1) Auburn.. They moved up 4 spots with their win over Kentucky, but can they beat #3 Georgia?
#21 (6-1) SMU.. The Mustangs just beat K-State 48-30) but are now on a Week 8 Bye
#22 (6-0) UCLA. The Bruins join the rankings as they stay undefeated with a (34-28) win over Washington
#23 (6-0) Colorado.. The Buff's also join the Top-25 after their win over NMSU.. They will now host Iowa in Week 8
#24 (5-1) Florida. They were ranked #19 but lost to Tennessee 42-20.. They will now host South Carolina
#25 (5-2) Oklahoma.. They were ranked #8 but lost to Miss State 36-31 dropping 17 spots in the rankings.

ACC

With 4 ranked teams not including a (4-2) Clemson squad and a undefeated (6-0) Maryland squad, the ACC race is still wide open. However the Terps undefeated season might not last long as they take on #12 Louisville, #16 UNC and #14 Duke plus Clemson still to close out their season.

AMERCIAN
After missing out on the playoffs last season with a loss to Tulane in the AAC Championship, the Mean Green is looking to try and control their own destiny this year with a potential Top-4 finish. However Tulane is currently (5-0) in conference play and could very easily meet them in the Championship game again this season.

BIG 12
Colorado ranked and undefeated is the big story here.. However Texas, SMU and Nebraska all seem ready to pounce on the chance to play in the playoffs this season.

BIG TEN[/b
The former Pac-12 teams are holding their won with 3 of the 4 ranked in the Top-25 with UCLA/Oregon/USC a combined (15-3)

CUSA
James Madison isn't ranked but the Dukes are still off to a nice (6-2) Overall record and a (4-1) CUSA record as they look make a return trip to a Conference title game and possibly a return trip to the playoffs.

MAC
Temple is off to a nice star going 6-0 Overall and 2-0 in MAC play.

MOUNTAN WEST

Air Force is off to a (6-0) start and (4-0) start in conference play.

San Jose State and UNVL are both (5-1) and 3-0 in conference play, they will face each other in Week 10

PAC-12
Boise State (5-1) and Fresno State (5-1) are both off to nice starts in the Pac-12.. The Broncos will face the Bulldogs in Fresno in Week 10.


SEC
With 8 teams ranked in the Top-25 and Tennessee just on the onside looking in whatever teams can survive and win in final 5 weeks will be very well prepared for a playoff run.


Sun Belt
UAB is off to a 6-0 Overall and 4-0 record in conference play but Georgia Southern (5-1) only loss is to UAB (42-34) and could be setting themselves up for a revenge game in the Sun Belt Championship

[djp73]

Crazy fourth against Colorado, hung with them though

[Deuce2223]

Crazy fourth against Colorado, hung with them though

Yeah it was a game I expected to lose to be honest. Their entire starting lineup on both sides of the ball are guy's rated 85-90 Overall.. I am not sure why they have been so bad in my past dynasty's. I felt like it was the first game we did a decent job against the run. but Lewis and their WR's were just to much..

When I started the year I told myself I would be pretty happy with a 8-4 record. I still got a shot as long as I beat Air Force at home or Wyoming on the road. or both and leave myself room for loss against UTEP.... Air Forces Offense is crazy.. They have thrown for less then 200 yds all season and have just 1 passing touchdown.

[Deuce2223]

BIG 2ND HALF PROPELS AGGIES TO VICTORY!!!

GAME RECAP

The Aggies experienced some Jet lag coming off their loss in Boulder they took their longest flight of the season to Miami to take on the (2-4) FIU Panthers. After leading (7-3) early in the 1st Quart,, NMSU would turn the ball over twice with Smith Jr INT's including a 43 yd "Pick 6" return by SO FS Jessiah McGrew (75 ovr) that would give FIU a (20-14) lead at the half.

Coach Sanchez and Scott would make a bold move in the 2nd half though benching Smith Jr but instead of sending out JR Parker Awad, it was Redshirt Freshman Nick McGraw (69 ovr) making his college debut. McGraw the jolt the offense needed as he completed his first 5 pass attempts setting Oregon transfer Jayden Limar for the first of 2 rushing touchdowns in the 3rr Quarter as NMSU takes a (21-20) lead into the 4th.

McGraw continued to play lights out in the 4th well the Aggie Defense also stepped up with a pair of INT's of their own as both J'Vair Flowers and Will Kendricks snag turnovers from SO QB JC Evans (77 Ovr). NMSU turned both turnovers into points as McGraw throws a trio of touchdowns in the 4th Quarter with scores to L.P, Limar and Faupel. FINAL SCORE NEW MEXICO STATE-42 FIU-20

KEY PLAYERS

QB N. McGraw-12/17 (70%) 132 yds 3 TD
QB A. Smith Jr- 8/19 (42%) 103 yds 2 INT
RB B. Jackson-26 carries 167 yds 1 TD
RB J. Limar-8 carries 41 yds 2 TD 5 rec 69 yds 1 TD
WR Lamont Poustai-8 rec 83 yds 1 TD
WR D. Faupel-3 rec 36 yds 1 TD
TE G. Harris-2 rec 27 yds

QB JC Evans- 18/41 (43%) 213 yds 1 TD 2 INT, 14 carries 39 yds
RB S. Joseph-9 carries 59 yds , 2 rec 31 yds
RB J Clemsons-5 carries 13 yds
WR C... Russell-4 rec 58 yds
WR Jojo Stone-3 rec 44 yds 1 TD
WR K. McNeal-2 rec 32 yds
WR Juju Lewis-1 rec 25 yds

** The victory was a little bitter sweet, as many of these guy's were key members of my FIU dynasty in last year's game..


IMPACT FROM THE GAME

With the win New Mexico State is now (-5-3) Overall and just 1 win away from becoming Bowl eligible. The Aggies will return home for their biggest their 2nd game in 3 weeks against a undefeated opponent as they take on (7-0) Air Force.

The Falcons Triple Offense has taken the Mountain West by storm this season. Air Force is 5-0 in MWC play but still has (6-1) UNLV and San Jose State on the schedule after their matchup with the Aggies.

Air Force currently leads the nation in rushing yards with (1930) but is dead last in passing with just 186 yds and 1 TD.

The Falcons are led by SR FB Owen Allen (86 ovr)- 128 carries 706 yds 10 TD, RS FR Conner Booth (77 ovr)- 126 yds 624 yds 8 TD, and SR RB Taven Curry (79 Ovr)-48 carries 262 yds 2 TD as well as SO QB Pierce Clarkson (80 Ovr) who has ran for 321 yds and 1 TD.

**With McCraw's breakout half against the Panthers and Smith's continued struggles with INT"s the Aggies have not announced who will start the game at QB, that will also feature some key recruits on the sidelines including 4* LB Ezekiel Ngata.

[djp73]

always painful taking down your old squad

[redsox907]

whats the plan at QB going forward, roll with McGraw until the wheels fall off?

Bittersweet win there

[Deuce2223]

AGGIES DOWN FALCONS IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE!!

GAME RECAP

New Mexico State might have just won their biggest game of the season and they did it scoring the least amount of points in any game they have played.

Leading (7-0) at the end of the 1st Quarter as QB Akili Smith finds Donovan Faupel on a 18 yd scoring strike, Air Force would battle back to take the lead (10-7) midway through the 2nd Quarter scoring off a pair of turnovers by Smith, which lead to the return of Redshirt Freshman Nick McCraw as Smith heads to the locker room. McCraw had his own struggles at first missing on his first 3 attempts before finding Lamont Poutasi down the middle of the field for a 62 yd bomb that set up a Bryan Jackson touchdown as NMSU take the (14-10) lead.. A late punt by the Falcons and another big play by McCraw would put the Aggies in Field Goal range with 8 seconds to play as Maze would deliver connecting on a 46 yd attempt to extend the Aggies lead (17-10) at the half.

Despite trailing, Air Force never game up on their game plan running the ball 57 times compared to just 9 pass's on the day as they dominated the TOP (22:45 to 17:15) but at the end of the day it was their lack of passing attack that spelt doom and as NMSU hands them their first loss of the season as both teams trade FG's for the final scores of the game as the Falcons turn the ball over 3 times in the 4th Quarter including a INT by Pierce Clarkson (80 ovr).. FINAL SCORE NEW MEXICO-20 AIR FORCE-13

KEY PLAYERS

QB A. Smith Jr-5/8 (62%) 58 yds 1 TD 2 INT
QB N. McGraw-14/28 (50%) 170 yds
RB B. Jackson-17 carries 43 yds 1 TD
RB J. Limar-5 rec 34 yds
WR L. Poutasi-4 rec 93 yds
WR D. Faupel-6 rec 71 yds 1 TD
TE G. Harris-3 rec 29 yds
FS Q. Reddish-10 Tackles 1 INT

QB P. Clarkson-2/9 (22%) 32 yds 1 INT, 17 carries 33 yds
FB O. Allen-23 carries 86 yds
RB C. Booth-10 carries 25 yds
RB T. Curry-7 carries 25 yds
CB M Seiken-1 INT
SS K. Chen-1 INT

IMPACT FROM THE GAME

With the win NMSU is now Bowl eligible at (6-3) Overall and moves to (4-2) in MWC play giving themselves a potential shot in the MWC title game in a rematch with possibly the Falcons or UNLV/San Jose State.

The Aggies will play their final home game of the season next week as they host (3-5) Sam Houston State. The Bearkats started the year 2-0 with wins over Troy and UTEP but then lost 5 straight including a (50-3) loss to UNLV, a (49-3) loss to Texas Tech and a (38-6) loss to Oklahoma State before bouncing back to beat Nevada in Week 9 (24-7).

[Deuce2223]

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AGGIES SEND OUT SENIORS AS WINNERS!!

GAME RECAP
After failing to send out his Seniors as winners last year, Coach Sanchez circled this game at the beginning of the year as a must win. Sam Houston opened up the game with the ball and quickly scored taking a (7-0) lead but when the Aggies Offense took the field, it was RS Freshman Nick McGraw leading the team onto the field and McGraw took charge in his first start throwing a trio of touchdowns to Lamont "LP" Poutasi as the 4* Freshman continues to play at a MVP level as NMSU takes a (21-14) lead into the half.

The Aggies would add on 10 more points in the 3rd as Bryan Jackson scores his 16th rushing touchdown of the season.. Leading (31-14) it appeared the game was all but over but the Bearkats were not going down with a little fight. as RS FR Landyn Locke (72 ovr) throws a pair of touchdowns sandwiched around a McGraw INT as close the gap to (31-28) but 2 late turnovers on downs would lead to the Aggies Senior 15 securing win #7 as they they guarantee the school a record better then .500 for the first time in the Coach Sanchez era.

KEY AGGIES
QB N. McGraw-18/43 (41%) 299 yds 3 TD 1 INT
RB B. Jackson-20 carries 136 yds 1 TD
RB J. LImar-3 carries 30 yds
WR L. Poutasi-5 rec 94 yds 3 TD
WR TJ Pride-5 rec 77 yds
WR D. Faupel-4 rec 60 yds
TE G. Harris-4 rec 68 yds
MLB T. Geathers-7 Tackles 1 Force Fumble and Recovery

UP NEXT

New Mexico State will now have it's 2nd "Bye" Week of the season as they prepare for their first 2 games of the season on the road.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 10 TEAM REPORT

SMITH DONE FOR THE YEAR

Well the exact injury is unknown, reports at Oregon Transfer Akili Smith Jr will officially be out for the rest of the season.. 2026 has been a mix review for Smith.. Well Smith has thrown for more then 2400 yds (2431 to be exact) well completing 59% of his pass's with 12 TD's, he has also thrown 17 INT"s leading to a 123.1 QB Rating.

With Smith out of action fellow Redshirt Freshman Nick McGraw has officially been named the starting QB for the final 2 games of the season.. McGraw has thrown for 601 yds with 6 TD and 1 INT well completing 44/88 pass attempts (50%) leading the Aggies to a trio of victories including his first start last week.

Sanchez

"Akili is still a huge part of our future.. He has been battling some issues for the past 5 weeks but at the time we felt like he could play through it. We want the best for him and for his future and right now we believe that the best thing for him to rest and start preparing for next year and it's our hope that that includes being here in Las Cruces.

LP GOES OVER 1000

Well Lamount Poutasi might not break any NMSU records this season he is still putting together one of the best season's by a Freshman to ever wear a Aggie uniform. LP despite the presence of JR TJ Pride (38 rec 544 yds) and SR Donovan Faupel (46 rec 535 yds 5 TD) has been a true #1 WR this season leading the team in receptions (66) Yards (1014) and Touchdowns (8).


JACKSON NEARING 1000

Well LP has already gone over 1000 yds receiving on the season,, JR RB Bryan Jackson is still just a few yards shy as he will go into the final 2 games needing 58 yds to break the 1000 yd barrier as he has 943 yds and 16 TD's on 184 carries this season.


SCOTT RUMORS

Despite being in just his first year as OC, Ryne Scott's performance off the field last year helping secure a Top-50 class for the Aggies and his on field success this season with a Offense that is averaging 33.9 PPG and a Offense that leads the MWC with 4523 yds which is 2nd in the nation behind James Madison (4541 yds) and almost 200 yds ahead of #1 Alabama, has gotten the notice of several schools looking to make a change for the 2027 season.

Reports are Missouri State (0-9), Delaware (2-7) and South Alabama (3-6) all have already dismissed their coaches and are finishing out the season with interim coaches..

RECRUTING UPDATE

With their final home game of the season done with, the Aggies will not be able to host any more recruits for Campus visits until the off-season.. As of right now NMSU still has yet to sign a single player to the 2026 class but we are being told that 4* MLB Ezekiel Ngata has officially declared his Final Top-3 as Fresno State and Texas Tech are removed leaving NMSU #1 followed by Utah (Week 12 visit) and BYU (Week 13 visit)


BOWL PROJECTION

Currently the Aggies have been tied to several different Bowl destinations, with the Arizona Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl,, the LA Bowl and now the Birmingham Bowl as potential landing spots.

[redsox907]

McGraw doesn't have the great attributes or stats, but he's getting the most important stat. Ws

you have a set time frame you want to stay in Las Cruces, or is it fluid at the moment?