Utah Utes football gameday

No. 14 Utah (2-0, 1-0) at New Mexico (0-2, 0-0)

University Stadium, Albuquerque

Today, 6 p.m.

TV: The Mtn.

Radio: 700 AM

Series: Utah leads, 32-17-2

Last meeting: Utah 45, New Mexico 14 (2009)

THE STAKES

For Utah ... The Utes are seeking to avoid losing to a team that opened the season with lopsided setbacks to Oregon (72-0) and Texas Tech (52-17). A win is beneficial for a variety of reasons.

For New Mexico ... The struggling Lobos may lose what's left of their ever-eroding fan base with another poor performance. Then again, something from nothing is still nothing, right?

THE TRENDS

For Utah ... The Utes are ranked 14th in the nation after two games. They could climb even higher with a favorable schedule over the next couple of weeks. MWC title hopes are very much alive and well.

For New Mexico ... The Lobos have fallen down. Can they get up? Since Mike Locksley replaced Rocky Long as coach, New Mexico is just 1-12 overall. And one, they say, is the loneliest number.

THE EDGE

Utah will win if ... The Utes arrive at the stadium safely. The heavy favorites appear to have too much of everything to come up short in this one - more talent, better coaching and a winning attitude.

New Mexico will win if ... The Lobos score more points than the Utes. Too mean? Perhaps. However, that is something that will most certainly be easier said than done. Ask Oregon and Texas Tech.

PLAYER TO WATCH

TERRANCE CAIN, Utah: The senior could have a career day against a New Mexico defense that can't stop believing (pun intended) or anything else for that matter.

KEY MATCHUP

UTAH'S OFFENSE VS. NEW MEXICO'S DEFENSE: The Utes have got to be licking their lips. They'll face a New Mexico squad that ranks 120th in the nation in total defense.

INJURY REPORT