The Utah football team couldn't have picked an easier opponent than it has for this week, right? What could be better than playing at home against an 0-8 team??

The only thing is, that opponent happens to be New Mexico. And while the Lobos haven't exactly been a football power in recent years, over the past decade they have given the Utes more trouble than any other opponent.

Since 2000, the Utes have a winning record against every Mountain West Conference team except New Mexico.

Air Force? Yep. TCU? Check. BYU? Yes. New Mexico? Nope.

The Utes have won just four of nine games against the Lobos since the 2000 season. And even the wins haven't come easy. Just look at last year's 13-10 nail-biter in Albuquerque in a season where the Utes were unbeaten and winners of a BCS bowl, while the Lobos finished 4-8.

Ute coach Kyle Whittingham had no explanation when asked earlier this week.

"I don't have an answer for that, other than New Mexico's always been a very physical football team, a very talented football team and always made for a good matchup," he said.

"I don't know why, but New Mexico always comes ready to play against us," added Ute safety Robert Johnson.

However things are different in the New Mexico program. Ever since Rocky Long left after 11 years as head coach, things have been, well, rocky, in Albuquerque.

Mike Locksley was named coach and immediately got into hot water when he was accused of sexual harassment by a longtime administrative assistant. Then he was accused of slugging an assistant coach, for which he received a one-game suspension by the university.

The fact that the team got off to such a horrible start with a 35-point loss to Texas A&M, a 34-point loss to Tulsa and a 24-point loss to Air Force, hasn't made things easier. The Lobos did stay within three points of rival New Mexico State and San Diego State, just last week on the road.

That got Whittingham's attention and he assures that his team won't be looking ahead to TCU the following week.

"They have a talented quarterback, big and fast receivers and some guys on defense, but they haven't been able to put it all together this year," he said.

The Lobos do have a very young team. Of the 48 players on the offensive and defensive depth chart, 25 are sophomores and freshmen.

Sophomore linebacker Carmen Messina is first in the nation in tackles with 13.5 per game, while another sophomore, defensive end Johnathan Rainey leads the MWC in tackles for loss with 12.5 on the year.

Quarterback Donovan Porterie, who led the Lobos to a 34-31 victory over Utah in 2006 is a senior. He has completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,594 yards and seven touchdowns

True freshman Demond Dennis is the leading rusher with 246 yards, followed by sophomore James Wright who has gained 228 yards, but is averaging 7.4 yards per carry. The Lobos average just 94.1 yards per game on the ground, which ranks just 109th in the country. They also rank 109th in total offense at 306 yards per game.

Utes on the air

New Mexico (0-8, 0-4 MWC)at No. 17 Utah (7-1, 4-0)

Saturday, 4 p.m.

Rice-Eccles Stadium

TV: The mtn. Radio: 700 AM

e-mail: sor@desnews.com