Matt Leinart on CFP, NFL draft prospects and the Heisman winner
Football legend Matt Leinart sits down to talk all things college football and reveals details about his partnership with Abbott and raising awareness about blood shortages in the U.S.
The college football bowl season continues in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the Isleta New Mexico Bowl featuring the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns facing off against the TCU Horned Frogs in a first-time matchup for these two programs.
Louisiana finished the season with a record of 10-3, marking the first time since 2021 that they achieved ten wins. The team only lost to Tulane, South Alabama, and Marshall in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. The Ragin’ Cajuns offense is led by Ben Woolridge, who boasts an impressive completion rate of 68.3%, amassing 2,392 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions this season. Woolridge is supported by a solid running back, Bill Davis, who led the team in rushing yards with 775 and scored nine touchdowns.
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TCU, with a season record of 8-4, has seen some outstanding individual performances. Sophomore Josh Hoover, in particular, has had a standout season, achieving an impressive 66.7% completion rate, totaling 3,697 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with an additional four rushing touchdowns.
Here is everything to know about the New Mexico Bowl.
More: If college football coaches want transfer portal fix, how about ditching spring practice?
New Mexico Bowl predictions: Louisiana vs. TCU
USA TODAY: TCU is the unanimous pick
Scooby Axson: TCU
Jordan Mendoza: TCU
Paul Myerberg: TCU
Erick Smith: TCU
Eddie Timanus: TCU
Dan Wolken: TCU
ESPN: TCU 36, Louisiana 29
Adam Rittenberg writes: “TCU quietly ended the season with wins in five of its final six games, finding greater consistency with its run game and in other areas. Louisiana won 10 games for the first time since 2021 but fell 31-3 to Marshall in the Sun Belt title game. The two teams have never met and make their first appearances in the New Mexico Bowl. TCU will be without top wide receiver Jack Bech, who injured his knee in the regular season finale, and the Horned Frogs will need a strong defensive performance to contain a Louisiana offense not overly reliant on any one player. The Ragin’ Cajuns have a solid bowl history but not against Power 4 opponents. The Frogs find a way.”
College Football Network: TCU 34, Louisiana 16
Staff writes: “If Wooldridge is good to go, it certainly adds intrigue. The Ragin’ Cajuns will have their top two running backs and two of the five top receivers available. So, the cupboard’s not empty, but it’s starting to look bare. I’m monitoring Wooldridge’s final status here. If he’s healthy, I think Louisiana can do enough in the passing game to open up running lanes for Bill Davis. I still wouldn’t take them to win, but I’d feel better about a Ragin’ Cajuns cover. As it stands, though, I have to go with the available information. So, if I have to make a prediction, it’ll be the Frogs by a lot.”
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Tickets to the Isleta New Mexico Bowl with StubHub
New Mexico Bowl odds, lines: Louisiana vs. TCU
The TCU Horned Frogs are favorites to defeat the Louisiana Ragin’ Caguns, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of afternoon on Friday, Dec. 27.
Spread: TCU (-10)
Moneylines: TCU (-360); Louisiana (+280)
Over/under: 58.5
How to watch Louisiana vs. TCU in the New Mexico Bowl
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
Time: 2:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo
Where: University Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Stream Live: Catch College Bowl games with a Fubo subscription
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Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Record heat and blazing sunshine in Albuquerque make it feel like summer is already here, despite the calendar marking spring’s start on Friday.
Residents may wonder if it’s time to prepare their coolers for the warmer days ahead. The question remains whether the cold weather is truly over.
Climate data indicates that Albuquerque’s last freeze typically occurs in April, extending into May during extreme years. However, this year has been unusually warm.
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The Climate Prediction Center’s forecast suggests that the current weather pattern, which has brought hot days, will continue into April with above-average temperatures across the Western United States and New Mexico.
While a few more freezes or cold days can’t be ruled out, the general trend for April and most of spring points to more warm temperatures.
Republican voters may have one less candidate to choose from on their June primary ballot after one candidate failed to show up to file paperwork confirming his eligibility for the primary ballot.
State Senator Steve Lanier, a first-term legislator from San Juan County, and Duke Rodriguez, a former health department secretary and cannabis business owner, both failed to earn an automatic placement on the ballot provided to candidates who earn at least 20% of party delegate votes at the Pre-Primary Convention held earlier this month. Lanier pulled in just 7% and Rodriguez earned 9%.
State Sen. Steve Lanier appeared for initial candidate filing day on Feb. 3. He missed the secondary filing day on Mar. 17. (Source: Lanier campaign FB)
But both candidates appeared to have secured enough signatures from Republican voters to qualify outside of the party’s delegate process, provided they submitted those signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office on Tuesday.
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Lanier told The Santa Fe New Mexican that he missed the deadline and would now explore legal options to get on the ballot. “We are looking at legal options and may file a challenge, given that we filed with all the necessary signatures from the start,” he said. “I am committed to helping New Mexico thrive, and to building our Republican Party in every corner of the state.”
Rodriguez submitted the required additional signatures which are being reviewed by the secretary of state for qualification.
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Pat Davis is the founder and publisher of nm.news. In a prior life he served as an Albuquerque City Councilor.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
A New York Times article revealed claims that Chávez sexually abused multiple women and young girls who worked alongside him in the civil rights movement. The news has caused shockwaves, especially at the intersection of Avenida Dolores Huerta and Avenida César Chávez.
“Shock, um, it’s been shocking, horrified and completely incompatible and unacceptable with the values of the Latino and Chicano and Hispanic community and the civil rights movement,” said Zackary Quintero, executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chávez, stated she was one of his victims. She described two sexual encounters with Chávez that led to pregnancies and children she hid from the public eye.
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Quintero said the role Chávez plays in Albuquerque and the state needs re-examination. “I know that a community conversation needs to take place and that we’re going to be part of that conversation,” he said. “We’re supposed to be a home for our Chicano gente, our Latino gente, our Hispano gente, to be able to meet here and talk about these kind of issues.”
Mayor Tim Keller says changes are coming to the way Chávez is remembered. “I am directing City staff to work with the community and city council to take a fresh look at how Chávez is recognized across our programs, events, committees, and spaces, and to recommend changes that honor the full truth while continuing to uplift the movement for economic justice that shaped our community,” he said.
KOB 4 asked the city what that process entails and what the economic impact could look like but a city spokesperson re-iterated the statement above saying, “The mayor has directed staff to work with the City Council and the community to determine the best steps forward.”
Speaker of the House Javier Martinez added, “The allegations against César Chávez are horrific. I pray for all of the survivors, including Dolores Huerta. I keep Dolores, her family, and the entire farmworker movement in my heart. Chávez’s name should be removed from any and all public entities, swiftly.”
It’s not just Albuquerque, there are landmarks, parks, schools and more throughout New Mexico named after Chávez. For example, the César Chávez Elementary school in Santa Fe.
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School officials said they have “an established process for considering changing a school’s name.” They also added they would review the situation but any consideration of a name change would have to go before the the Board of Education. The district’s full statement is below.
Statement from Santa Fe Public Schools:
“Santa Fe Public Schools is aware of the recent allegations concerning the namesake of Cesar Chavez Elementary School. We understand that members of our community may have questions and concerns, and we take those perspectives seriously.
Santa Fe Public Schools has an established process for considering changes to a school’s name. At this time, district staff will review the situation, gather relevant information, and evaluate next steps in accordance with district policy. Any consideration of a name change would ultimately be brought before the Board of Education for discussion and direction.
We remain committed to engaging thoughtfully with our community and ensuring that any decisions are made through the appropriate processes and with careful consideration.”
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City and state leaders are calling for the removal of César Chávez’s name from public spaces following allegations of sexual assault against him.
