No. 23 Boise State faces road challenge at New Mexico
No. 23 Boise State (8-2, 5-1 Mountain West, No. 25 CFP) at New Mexico (3-7, 1-5), Friday, 9 p.m. EST (CBS Sports Network)
Line: Boise State by 20.
Series record: Boise State leads 8-1.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Boise State is back in position to claim control of the Mountain West's Mountain Division. But they must avoid a stumble against New Mexico. A win by the Broncos sets up a winner-take-all matchup with Utah State in the final week of the regular season to decide the division. If the Broncos win their final two games, they will host the conference title game on Dec. 1 for the second straight year.
KEY MATCHUP
Boise State offense vs. New Mexico defense. If the Lobos are going to keep it close, then New Mexico's defense must be better than it has been in recent weeks. The Lobos have allowed at least 31 points in four straight games, including giving up 61 to Utah State and 42 last week to Air Force.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Boise State: RB Alexander Mattison. In the Broncos most important game of the season, Mattison had his best game. Mattison rushed for a season-high 144 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Fresno State last week. It was his third 100-yard rushing game of the season.
New Mexico: P Tyson Dyer was the Mountain West special teams player of the week after unleashing a school-record 84-yard punt last week against Air Force that died at the 1-yard line. Dyer's kick was tied for the second-longest in the FBS since 2013.
FACTS & FIGURES
Boise State's win over Fresno State was its first victory ever over a ranked team in the month of November. ... New Mexico needs four passing TDs over its final two games to set a new school record for most in one season. The current mark is 24. ... Boise State is 32-9 all-time in regular season games played on Friday's. ... New Mexico's only win over Boise State came in 2015 in Boise.
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