No. 24 Oklahoma Faces Unbeaten New Mexico in Week 3 Showdown.
No. 24 Oklahoma will look to rebound from its first loss of the season when the Sooners host undefeated New Mexico in a Week 3 matchup Saturday night in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners enter the contest 1-1 after falling 17-10 to Michigan on Sept. 12. New Mexico comes into the game unbeaten at 2-0 following a dominant 70-7 victory over Mercyhurst. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EDT, and the game will be televised on ESPN2. Oklahoma opened as a 21.5-point favorite. The Sooners are 1-1 against the spread this season, while New Mexico is 2-0. New Mexico has been one of the nation's most productive offenses through the first two weeks, averaging 412 yards and 54 points per game. The Lobos have been particularly effective on the ground, rushing for 246 yards per game, which ranks 21st in the FBS. Scottre Humphrey has led the rushing attack with 174 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns. Quarterback Luke Moga has completed 65.4% of his passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Cade Keith leads New Mexico in receiving with 91 yards on five catches and one touchdown. The Lobos have also been strong defensively. New Mexico is allowing only 152 yards per game, the third-best mark in the FBS. The defense has surrendered just 7.0 points per game while allowing 83.5 passing yards and 68.5 rushing yards per contest. Oklahoma's defense has been a major strength as well. The Sooners are giving up 230.5 yards per game and rank third nationally in passing defense, allowing just 98.5 yards through the air. Oklahoma is also holding opponents to 8.5 points per game. The Sooners have limited opponents to a 23.1% conversion rate on third down, ranking 16th nationally.
Offensively, Oklahoma is averaging 345 yards and 30.5 points per game. Quarterback John Mateer has thrown for 414 yards, four touchdowns and one interception while completing 56% of his passes. Lloyd Avant leads the Sooners' rushing attack with 114 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. Rocky Beers has been Oklahoma's top receiver, recording eight catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. Turnovers could play a significant role in Saturday's matchup. New Mexico enters the game with a nation-best plus-eight turnover margin, while Oklahoma is at minus-one. The Lobos have also been effective at controlling the clock, averaging 35:31 in time of possession, which ranks 10th in the FBS. Oklahoma averages 28:38. Both defenses have excelled on third down. New Mexico ranks sixth nationally by allowing opponents to convert just 16.7% of third downs, while Oklahoma ranks 16th at 23.1%. The Sooners have been nearly perfect in the red zone, scoring on 100% of their trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line, the best mark in the FBS. Oklahoma will need to create more offensive consistency after scoring just 10 points against Michigan. New Mexico will look to continue its strong defensive play while relying on its powerful rushing attack and ability to control possession. The matchup also serves as an important measuring stick for both programs. Oklahoma is preparing for a major road test against No. 2 Georgia on Sept. 26, while New Mexico will travel to face New Mexico State that same day.