Preview: Can Coach Eck Rewrite the Final Chapter?

The 2025 "Jason Eck Appreciation Tour" has arrived at its grandest stage yet, but a shadow of historical caution hangs over Phoenix. As New Mexico (9-3) prepares to face Minnesota (7-5) in Friday’s Rate Bowl, the stakes are more than just a trophy—they are a chance to shatter decades of "what-ifs."

The Lobos enter the desert on a blistering six-game win streak, but history suggests they are walking into a trap they’ve seen before. Back in 2003, a confident UNM squad was dismantled by a "middle-of-the-pack" Oregon State team in the Las Vegas Bowl. That day, the physical gap between the Mountain West and the Power Four was laid bare as Steven Jackson ran wild. Now, a battle-hardened Gophers squad—led by P.J. Fleck and a defense featuring elite edge rusher Anthony Smith—stands in the way, favored by 2.5 points despite the Lobos' momentum.