New Mexico
Arizona football vs. New Mexico score predictions
The long offseason is almost over, and Arizona finally has a football game to play.
The Wildcats open the 2024 season on Saturday night against New Mexico, playing for the first time since the 2015 Albuquerque Bowl and the first time in Tucson since 2007.
According to VegasInsider.com, the Wildcats are a massive favorite, with the point spread between 30-31.5 points depending on the site. Here’s what our staff thinks.
Kim Doss — Arizona wins 45-13
Projecting the Wildcats’ first game of the season isn’t quite as difficult this season simply because the opponent has already played. While Montana State is a good FCS team and went into the game as a double-digit favorite, it’s still not encouraging for New Mexico to lose its season opener on its home field the way it did.
The Lobos were unable to hold their early double-digit lead against the Bobcats. It would be a shock for them to ever have such a lead at Arizona.
The Wildcats have superior talent all over the field. They are capable of scoring more than 45 points against the Lobos, but if they get sufficiently out in front, it would not be a surprise to see some of the younger players get some time. They should at least cover the 30+ spread.
Brandon Combs — Arizona wins 52-10
Arizona is coming off one of their best seasons in program history. They are returning plenty of talent and is starting the season off right at home. One of the questions is how this team will react in live action with a new coaching staff. Luckily for the ‘Cats, the first two games are perfect for ironing out the kinks and solidifying everything together. And the first game up is against the Lobos. I don’t foresee any major issues and do expect to see plenty of player rotation throughout the game.
Ezra Amacher — Arizona wins 42-10
This is a game that Arizona should win handily as long as it doesn’t commit many turnovers and executes well enough on defense. We already know the offense will be gearing up for an opponent that just gave up 21 fourth quarter points to Montana State. I’m most curious to see which running backs are utilized in which situations. Arizona has an explosive backfield but sorting out the depth chart is no easy task. I expect Arizona to just barely cover.
Adam Green — Arizona wins 45-13
This is the most anticipated season opener since, well, maybe 2018? That was Kevin Sumlin’s first game as coach and with a returning Khalil Tate, and suffice to say that game, season and coaching tenure didn’t go well. At least when it comes to this game, things should be different. Much different. Arizona has more than enough talent to beat New Mexico and plenty of motivation to come out and show that they are ready to build off of last season’s success. The Wildcats have some things to figure out, sure, and this game should give the team a chance to get plenty of guys live game action.
Juan Serrano — Arizona wins 45 – 17
Most teams have their most improvement from week 1 to week 2. Fortunately for New Mexico, they already have one game under their belt. This is not going to be the same Lobo team we saw last week against Montana State. They will be ready to play and show that they are not a push over team. However, it is the season opener for Arizona, the Wildcats will be ready to go just as much as the Lobos are. A packed Arizona stadium will help an already energized team. Arizona should be able to establish a run game, especially with Jacory Croskey-Merritt playing against his former team. At the end of the day, the Noah Fifita to Tetairoa McMillan connection will be there and should propel Arizona to a season opening win.
Devin Homer — Arizona wins 38-17
Arizona has the fire power to put up 40-plus points on New Mexico but as this is the season opener, there will be some kinks to work out and more guys will get opportunities on both sides of the ball. UA on paper should have no problem setting the tone for the season with a home-opener and keep an eye on Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who is playing against his former team.
Brian J. Pedersen — Arizona wins 38-17
On paper, and based on how New Mexico looked last week, Arizona should easily win this game and there’s plenty of blowout potential. But this isn’t a normal season opener, not with an almost entirely new coaching staff that inherited both a talented roster but also very high expectations. This game and next week against NAU are about settling into a rhythm, as the bigger contests begin after that. Also look for a lot of guys getting opportunities if/when the outcome is no longer in doubt as the Wildcats continue to tinker with their rotations.
Grant’s Monday Night Forecast
A few evaporating rain showers are possible again Tuesday with warmer temperatures. Windier weather later this week will bring a high fire danger back to New Mexico.
It’s been a warm day with a few isolated showers and thunderstorms across central and northern New Mexico. Some of that rain has made it to the ground, while other showers have evaporated before reaching the surface. Temperatures have climbed into the 70s and 80s for most of the state. Showers will fade after sunset, with mostly clear skies overnight and mild temperatures.
Even warmer weather is on the way Tuesday with lighter winds. More areas will reach the 80s by the afternoon. A few spotty showers will develop again, especially near the mountains, with some of that rain evaporating before reaching the ground.
Winds pick up Wednesday afternoon, with gusts between 25 and 45 mph. This will begin another stretch of high fire danger across the state. The strongest winds arrive Thursday, with westerly gusts of 35 to 55 mph. That will expand the fire danger statewide. A dry cold front will move through Thursday as well, but temperatures will only drop slightly, ending up closer to average.
Breezy conditions continue Friday through the weekend as the jet stream pulls more moisture into New Mexico. That will bring increasing chances for rain and thunderstorms this weekend, with a few lingering into early next week.
New Mexico
Landlord AC ordinance, Rio Grande water levels, Spotty rain, New legislative office, New Mexico Motorfest
Monday’s Top Stories
Monday’s Five Facts
[1] ABQ City Councilor aims to bolster protections for renters amid unseasonable warmth – Albuquerque city councilor is looking to make sure city landlords are not only providing cooling systems, but also ensuring they actually work when they’re needed. City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn spearheaded an ordinance in December of 2024, requiring all Albuquerque rental properties to have a cooling system. Now, Fiebelkorn is taking it a step further, hoping to establish cooling system performance requirements. The ordinance is expected to be voted on in final action at Monday’s city council meeting.
[2] Rio Grande showing dry spots in Valencia County amid record-low snowpack – Portions of the Rio Grande are now seeing dry spots earlier than expected. Officials say the timing is not normal. In Valencia County, parts of the river are already running dry. Near the river crossing in Los Lunas, the river has open pockets. Further south, it is being reported as dry as well. There is a slight positive outlook for the monsoon season, with forecasters and officials predicting a strong season in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
[3] Very spotty rainfall, warmer, & mostly calm week – Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground. Temperatures will continue to increase through the middle of the week.
[4] NM representatives celebrate grand opening of new office with open house – A new state legislative office made its debut for representatives Eleanor Chavez and Yanira Gurrola. The new location is just one of the handful of new legislative offices now open across the state. They hosted a grand opening for the building that was open to the public. Representative Gurrola says it’s just one step towards modernizing the state’s legislature. The new office will allow residents to stay more connected to each representative.
[5] New Mexico Motorfest 2026 takes place in celebration of Route 66 Centennial – Another Route 66 celebration took place over the weekend and this one was all about cars. The New Mexico Motorfest happened at the Expo New Mexico racetrack. Over 300 vehicles from classic hot rods to lifted trucks were featured at the event. Some of the proceeds went to New Mexico veterans.
New Mexico
Los Alamos Public Schools Students Compete At 2026 New Mexico State Science & Engineering Fair
Students from Barranca Mesa Elementary, Mountain Elementary, Los Alamos Middle School, and Los Alamos High School at the 2026 New Mexico State Science & Engineering Fair at New Mexico Tech. Photo CourtesyLAPS
LAHS junior Tate Plohr and freshman Linus Plohr qualified to attend the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May in Phoenix, Ariz. Photo Courtesy LAPS
Los Alamos Middle School student Branden Keller was awarded the CO2 & Greenhouse Gas Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 at the 2026 New Mexico State Science & Engineering Fair. Photo Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS NEWS RELEASE
Twenty students from Barranca Mesa Elementary, Mountain Elementary, Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) and Los Alamos High School (LAHS) competed, with several garnering awards at the 2026 New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair held at New Mexico Tech in Socorro.
LAHS junior Tate Plohr qualified to attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) next month in Phoenix, Ariz. He was awarded the 3rd-place Grand Award. Freshman Linus Plohr qualified as an alternate and will also be attending the Regeneron ISEF.
Students who participated in the state competition include, from Barranca Mesa Elementary, Sydney Chen, Mary Beth Kelsey, Lily Neale, Aurora Roberts Voss and Henry Rodarte; and Glyn Lo and Ernest Maupin, Mountain Elementary.
Students from LAMS who competed include Evelyn Fobes, Mason Garcia, Andrew Gilbertson, James Junghans, Sequoya Ke, Brandon Keller, Nejan Liyanage and Daniel Yampolsky.
LAHS students Julia Neale, Linus Plohr, Tate Plohr, Lilia Veteva, Helena Welch and Kalliope Welch competed at the senior level.
2026 Award winners:
Category Awards – Junior Division
- Animal Science, Cellular & Molecular
- Biomedical & Health Science
- Honorable Mention: Sequoya Ke
- Embedded Systems, Math, Robotics, Software & Technology
- 2nd place: Nejan Liyanage
- Physics & Astronomy
- 1st place: Sydney Chen
- 2nd place: Mason Garcia
- Honorable Mention: Marybeth Kelsey
- Plant Science
Category Awards – Senior Division
- Behavioral & Social Science:
- Honorable Mention: Linus Plohr
- Earth & Environmental
- Honorable Mention: Lilia Viteva
- Embedded Systems, Math, Robotics, & System Software
- 3rd Place: Helena Welch and Kalliope Welch
- Physics & Astronomy
Grand Awards
- ISEF finalist 3rd place: Tate Plohr
- Brandon Keller received the CO2 & Greenhouse Gas Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. James Jungans and Marybeth Kelsey garnered Thermo Fisher Awards.
Other special award winners include:
- CO2 & Greenhouse Reduction Awards (Junior Division)
- Daniel Yampolsky, 2nd place, Earth & Environmental Sciences
- Sequoya Ke, 1st place, Biomedical & Health Science
- Brandon Keller, 1st place, Energy & Materials Science
- Andrew Gilbertson, 1st place, Physics & Astronomy
- CO2 & Greenhouse Gas Reduction Award (Senior Division)
- Lilia Viteva, 1st place, Earth & Environmental Sciences
- Office of Naval Research Award
- David Shortess Award
- New Mexico AVS Award
- Citadel Award
- Naval Research Award
- NM Network for Women in Science & Engineering Award
- Yale Science & Engineering Award
- Rose Baca Rivet Award
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