New Mexico vs. Montana State odds, line: 2024 college football picks, Week 0 predictions by proven expert
The 2024 NCAA college football season begins Saturday with a four-game Week 0 schedule, including a matchup in which the FCS’s Montana State Bobcats visit the FBS’s New Mexico Lobos. Montana State went 8-4 overall and 6-2 during Big Sky Conference play last year, with its last encounter being a 35-34 overtime loss to North Dakota State in the second round of the FCS playoffs. New Mexico finished 2023 with a 4-8 overall record and a 2-6 mark against Mountain West Conference opponents. The Bobcats and Lobos are meeting for the third time in history and the first time since the 1947 Harbor Bowl, in which they tied 13-13.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET at University Stadium in Albuquerque, NM. Despite being an FCS side, the Bobcats are 12.5-point favorites in the latest Montana State vs. New Mexico odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 53.5. Montana State is a -550 favorite on the moneyline (risk $550 to win $100) and the Bobcats are the first double-digit FCS favorite against an FBS squad since 2013. Before making any New Mexico vs. Montana State picks or college football predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s Emory Hunt has to say.
Hunt is the founder and CEO of Football GamePlan, which has been providing analysis of all levels of football since 2007, and is a former running back at Louisiana-Lafayette. He knows the game from a player’s perspective. Plus, Hunt was 93-78-5 (+777) on his college football picks last year. Anyone who has followed him is way ahead of the game.
Now, Hunt has set his sights on Montana State vs. New Mexico and just locked in his picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine right now to see Hunt’s picks. Here are multiple college football odds and betting lines for New Mexico vs. Montana State:
- Montana State vs. New Mexico Spread: Bobcats -12.5
- Montana State vs. New Mexico Over/Under: 53.5 points
- Montana State vs. New Mexico Moneyline: Bobcats -550, Lobos +400
- MSU: Bobcats have lost 13 consecutive games against FBS opponents
- UNM: The Lobos have won each of their last nine meetings with FCS teams
- Montana State vs. New Mexico Picks: See Picks at SportsLine
Why the state of Montana might cover
The Bobcats had the best offense in the FCS last season, ranking second in points per game (39.9) and third in yards per game (473.1). They scored at least 40 points in seven of their 12 contests, and put up a season-high 63 points in their campaign-opening win against Utah Tech. Tommy Mellott, who shared time at quarterback with the now-departed Shawn Chambers in 2023, completed 63% of his pass attempts for 1,068 yards with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while also rushing for 690 yards and five scores.
Montana State’s ground attack, which averaged 293 yards and scored 41 TDs last year, also features returners Julius Davis and Scottray Humphrey. Davis led the team with 722 yards rushing and scored six touchdowns in his first season with the Bobcats after transferring from Wisconsin. Humphrey rushed for 433 yards and eight scores on 54 carries as a freshman in 2023. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why New Mexico Can Cover
The Lobos scored an average of 27.3 points last season, while they are scoring 13.1 points in 2022, the second-largest increase in the FBS over that period. They have had a lot of success against FCS teams, posting a 20-3 overall record, and haven’t lost since losing 48-45 in overtime to Sam Houston State in 2011. New Mexico has won by an average of 33.2 points during its current winning streak against FCS opponents.
Devon Dampier will take over as the Lobos’ starting quarterback this year, throwing the ball for 525 yards with six touchdowns during his 2023 freshman campaign. He was also dangerous with his legs, rushing for 328 yards and four scores. Top rusher Jacorey Croskey-Merritt transferred to Arizona State, leaving Andrew Henry as the team’s No. 1 option out of the backfield. Coming from UL-Monroe, Henry averaged 6.7 yards on 52 carries and scored three TDs for New Mexico last season. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to choose Montana State vs. New Mexico
Hunt has analyzed this matchup and while we can tell you he’s leaning toward the underdog on the point total, he has discovered a crucial X-factor that forces him to jump to one side of the spread. He’s sharing what it is, and which side to back, exclusively at SportsLine.
Who wins Montana State vs. New Mexico on Saturday, and what crucial X-factor makes it necessary to back one side of the spread? Visit SportsLine now to see Saturday’s New Mexico vs. Montana State picks, all from the expert, who went 93-78-5 on his college football picks last year.
