New Mexico Has a Real Chance to Make the College Football Playoff

Photo by: Kevin JairajThe College Football Playoff conversation is usually dominated by the biggest programs in the country, but New Mexico is making sure its name cannot be ignored. The Lobos have put together an impressive 7-1 start and suddenly have a legitimate opportunity to compete for a spot in the 12-team playoff.Under head coach Jason Eck, New Mexico has made tremendous progress. The Lobos are 4-0 in Mountain West play and have positioned themselves as one of the top Group of Six contenders in the country. After years of struggling to compete consistently, the program is now chasing something much bigger than bowl eligibility.Winning the Mountain West Is the First StepNew Mexico’s clearest path to the playoff is winning the Mountain West championship. Under the current playoff format, the highest-ranked Group of Six conference champion receives an automatic spot in the 12-team field.That means the Lobos do not necessarily need to finish undefeated, but they must take care of business in conference play and build a strong enough résumé to earn the committee’s respect.Their 21-16 victory over North Dakota State was another important step, and the team has shown it can compete in difficult situations.The Lobos Need Help Along the WayOne major obstacle is Boise State. The Broncos are also having an impressive season and currently have a stronger position in the national playoff conversation.New Mexico needs to keep winning while hoping Boise State and other Group of Six contenders suffer another loss. The Lobos also need to continue showing improvement against the remaining competition.A playoff appearance would be a historic achievement for the program, but it is no longer an unrealistic dream.New Mexico has already surprised plenty of people this season. If the Lobos finish strong, win their conference championship and get a little help from other teams, they could become one of the most exciting stories in college football.