New Mexico
Louisiana vs. TCU: Predictions, latest odds for New Mexico Bowl
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.
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.
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.”
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)
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New Mexico
Fourth Republican candidate announces bid for New Mexico governor
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
New Mexico
Independent governor’s race hopeful sues over New Mexico’s ballot process
New Mexico
New Mexico Lobo players and coaches make moves after successful season, AD departure
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A successful University of New Mexico Lobo athletics season and the athletics director’s departure has culminated in players and coaches making moves.
The moves follow a successful 2025 season and the departure of athletics director Fernando Lovo.
Running back coach John Johnson, special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato and wide receiver coach Colin Lockett are all leaving the Lobos after just one season. Johnson is headed to Iowa State while Da Prato is expected to join Minnesota and Lockett is headed to UCLA, all for the same jobs.
Johnson’s Lobo running backs ran for more than 1,400 yards. Da Prato’s special teams finished top-five nationally in kickoff returns.
Running back D.J. McKinney entered the portal, he confirmed on social media the day the portal officially opened. McKinney rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns with the Lobos.
Two players who received all-Mountain West Conference recognition also made moves. All-Mountain West tight-end Dorian Thomas, who caught for touchdowns for the Lobos, entered the portal. Meanwhile, all-Mountain West honorable mention punter Daniel Hughes is set to leave.
Others set to leave include:
- Cole Welliver, backup quarterback who played in one game
- Landon Williams, defensive end who graduated from La Cueva High School
- Randolph Kpai, senior linebacker who is at the end of his college football career without a waiver
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