Albuquerque will receive welcome primetime exposure for the annual New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, and all the pieces are in place for a top-notch show.
Don’t expect a warm welcome.
SMU and BYU, two well-known programs with large and enthusiastic crowds, will compete in College Stadium on the first weekend of the college’s annual football season. Typically an afternoon game televised by ESPN, the New Mexico Bowl is seeing a significant increase in profile in 2022 as ABC airs the event for the first time.
“Prime time on ABC is a big deal for us,” said New Mexico Bowl Executive Director Jeff Siembieda. “A lot has come together for us to have this opportunity, and I’m not sure we’ll make it again. But for now, we’re really excited to put our game and our city in the spotlight.
In part, the New Mexico Bowl has the NFL to thank for its high-profile moment. The dominoes began falling earlier this month when Sunday’s scheduled game between the New England Patriots and the Raiders in Las Vegas, Nevada moved from an evening time slot to 2:05 p.m.
The change impacted Saturday’s SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl, as both that game and Sunday’s Patriots-Raiders game are scheduled for Allegiant Stadium. To allow time for stadium preparations, the Las Vegas Bowl was moved from its original prime time slot to 12:30.
This change created a Saturday night opening on ABC, which New Mexico Bowl officials have been only too happy to fill. And since ESPN Events owns and operates both bowl games, the time swap was pretty straightforward.
“We actually knew a few weeks ago that there was potential for our game to slip right now,” Siembieda said. “That’s one of the reasons I like the game we had. BYU and SMU are two national brands, exciting teams, and they both really want to be here.
Clint Overby, vice president of bowl owner ESPN Events, was similarly optimistic.
“Being able to not air this game in prime time on ABC speaks well for the game and speaks well for the game,” said Overby, who arrived in Albuquerque on Thursday. “At some point you must have thought that the New Mexico Bowl was going to be a primetime game, and now is definitely a good time to do it.”
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In all respects he except one.
The temperature in Albuquerque on Saturday is expected to reach around 39 degrees, and the mercury will certainly drop when BYU and SMU kick off at 5:30pm. At least from a fan comfort standpoint, the New Mexico Bowl’s usual afternoon start could have been better.
“Saturday afternoon games on ESPN were great for us,” Siembieda said. “I fight for this place every year. And yes, it will be cold on Saturday night, but some things are beyond our control. We hope fans whip out their hand warmers, beanies, and winter clothes and join us. It should be one hell of a game. »
Overby said he has packed the appropriate gear for his trip from Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Football is a sport in cold weather,” he said. “Matches are played in cold weather all over the country this time of year. Going to the game is all about preparation.
For those less interested in donning parkas and sipping hot cocoa, Saturday’s game will be easy to find on TV. Overby said ABC’s primetime coverage could give the New Mexico Bowl its largest television audience.
That’s good news for BYU and SMU fans, because not all bowling game coverage is created equal. For example, this year’s nearby Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl, featuring Ohio and Wyoming, will only be available via live stream.
