Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Nevada vs. Arizona

The first bowl game of 2012 is Saturday in Albuquerque when the Mountain West’s Nevada (7-5) faces Pac-12 school Arizona (7-5) in the seventh annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

The Wildcats are bowl-eligible for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Their last bowl game was the 2010 Alamo Bowl (36-10 vs. Oklahoma State) and their last bowl victory was the 2008 MAACO Las Vegas Bowl (31-21 vs. BYU). Overall, Arizona is 6-9-1 in the postseason.

Arizona, the first Pac-12 team to play in the Albuquerque-based bowl game, was ranked among the nation’s best all season, cracking the top 25 or receiving votes in every poll since Week 2. They upset two ranked teams, beating 18th-ranked Oregon State (59-38) and 10th-ranked USC (39-36). Arizona also boasts the nation’s leading rusher, Ka’Deem Carey, who has tallied 1,757 yards. The Cats posted impressive wins over Washington, USC and Oklahoma State this year under first-year coach Rich Rodriguez.

Not only do Nevada and Arizona have identical records, they also have nearly identical stats. The Wolf Pack are averaging 37.0 points per game, just a shade behind the Wildcats’ 37.3. Wolf Pack junior Stefphon Jefferson rushed for 1,703 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Sophomore quarterback Cody Fajardo added 981 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground to go with an efficient 2,530 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air.

A scoring defense ranked among the worst in the sport is the problem for Nevada. Boise State’s 27 points were the lowest output by an opponent in Nevada’s losses. The Wolf Pack defense allowed 32, 39, 48 and 52 points in their other four setbacks. Defensively, Nevada is allowing 32.5 points per game (94th in the country), while Arizona yields 34.3 (100th).

WagerWeb.com Opening Line: Arizona -8.5 (75). Check our current lines

WagerWeb.com trends:  Wolf Pack are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall. Wolf Pack are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. loss. Wolf Pack are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games. Wolf Pack are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win. Wolf Pack are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games. Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Wildcats are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game. Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. MWC.

2012 Arizona Team Stats

Rushing Offense: 230.42 (15th in nation, 2nd in conference)

Passing Offense: 291.42 (29, 4)

Total Offense: 521.83 (7, 2)

Scoring Offense: 37.25 (19, 2)

Rushing Defense: 189.75 (90, 11)

Pass Defense: 295.92 (116, 12)

Total Defense: 485.67 (115, 11)

Scoring Defense: 34.25 (101, 11)

Turnover Margin: -0.17 (67, 8)

Sacks: 1.33 (101, 12)

Sacks Allowed: 1.50 (36, 3)

Nevada Team Stats

Rushing Offense: 263.00 (7th in nation, 3rd in conference)

Passing Offense: 246.45 (52, 3)

Total Offense: 509.45 (10, 1)

Scoring Offense: 38.45 (16, 2)

Rushing Defense: 213.00 (111, 9)

Pass Defense: 217.91 (40, 6)

Total Defense: 430.91 (86, 7)

Scoring Defense: 33.00 (95, 8)

Turnover Margin: -.18 (71, 6)

Sacks: 1.82 (73, 5)

Sacks Allowed: 1.36 (32, 4)