Aztecs Face Struggling New Mexico : SDSU: Luginbill still wary of Lobos, losers of five in a row.

Finally, a rest for San Diego State.

Right?

The Aztecs (4-4, 3-2 in the Western Athletic Conference) are in New Mexico today, perhaps thinking this would be a pretty good opportunity to pad some of those fancy statistics they have posted.

The Lobos (2-9, 1-5) have lost five in a row and last week led Utah, 27-0, but lost, 29-27. Lobo Coach Mike Sheppard called it the “lowest ebb” in his tenure. But when things kick off at 11:05 a.m. (PST), what will happen is . . .

“I have no idea what we’re going to face,” SDSU Coach Al Luginbill said. “I have no idea which team will show up for them.”

Earlier this year, New Mexico stunned Texas El Paso, 48-28, and if you take that and the big lead the Lobos built over Utah, you figure they can do a few things right.

At the beginning of the season, this one was marked under the SDSU “gimme” category by most people. The Aztecs, winners of two in a row, are still heavy favorites, but this week’s playbook offers several different genres:

MYSTERY: New Mexico’s offense picture is cloudy. The Lobos switched quarterbacks last week, inserting sophomore Marcus Goodloe for junior Jeremy Leach. New Mexico Coach Mike Sheppard said Goodloe will also start this weekend.

Leach, with 7,987 career yards, ranks sixth all-time among WAC passers. But the Lobos’ offensive line has been weak, and Goodloe is more mobile.

“He hasn’t been hit as much,” Sheppard said. “Jeremy Leach is like a Vietnam War veteran. He walks around, and if a book drops, he jumps.”

Goodloe’s passes, though, were intercepted three times last week. Leach ranks ninth and Goodloe 11th in the WAC in passing efficiency.

“That’s probably the most shocking thing about them,” Luginbill said, “their change in productivity at quarterback. I don’t know what to attribute it to.”

How New Mexico’s offense will react is uncertain. The only thing the Aztecs know for sure is that the Lobos will attempt to get the ball to senior wide receiver Eric Morgan as much as possible. He has caught 74 passes this season, second-highest in school history. He is averaging 6.7 receptions a game, fourth in the nation.

INTRIGUE: Statistics should be even kinder and gentler than usual to the Aztecs. New Mexico ranks eighth in the WAC, ahead of SDSU, with an average of 408 yards and 33 points allowed per game. During their current five-game losing streak, the Lobos have allowed an average of 40 points a game. The Aztecs are averaging 42 points a game. The biggest question might be, can the Aztecs score every time they get the ball?

They have not scored fewer than 30 points since the first game of the season, and they’ve broken the 40-point barrier four times in the past five games.

They rank fifth in the nation in total offense (496.7 yards a game) and fourth in passing offense (345.8). Of 41 trips inside the opponents’ 20, SDSU has failed to score only four times. The Aztecs have scored a touchdown 30 of 41 times and kicked a field goal seven times.

Today, they will face a defense similar to Hawaii’s--a gambling, attacking-type of scheme that depends on the big play.

“(New Mexico) gambles more than Hawaii,” Luginbill said. “I don’t know whether they want to do that or whether they feel they must do that.

“Even though they make big plays, they’ve also been susceptible to big plays.”

DRAMA: Just when you thought the Lobos would be a pushover, you find out they might have an emotional edge. This is New Mexico’s final game of the season, and 23 seniors will be bidding farewell.

“If we don’t find the pride and the courage as a program to come back and play hard this week, then we’ll get beat by 100 points,” Sheppard said. “. . . (The players are) embarrassed and so am I, more so than any time before. We’ve got one game left to prove something--mostly to ourselves.”

Aztec Notes

Dan McGwire watch: He is ranked third in the nation in passing efficiency (151.6), fifth in total offense (312.63 yards a game). . . . After becoming the last Division I team in the nation to intercept a pass, the Aztecs now have four in their last two games. . . . T.C. Wright is the WAC’s fourth-leading rusher at 59.43 yards a game. . . . Injury updates: SDSU linebacker Andy Coviello (back contusion) is doubtful. For New Mexico, linebacker Karl Logan (groin) is questionable and defensive end Mike Smith (neck) and linebacker Steve Daley (ankle) are probable. . . . It will be a promoter’s heaven this afternoon in New Mexico: It is Smokey Bear Day, Boy and Girl Scout Day, Native American Day and Young American Football Day.