Final Thoughts

Considering the adversity-filled season under which the University of New Mexico football team has toiled, its players could be forgiven if their confidence in coach Mike Locksley has waned. That confidence, however, remains solid - judging not only by their improved play during the second half of the season, but also by the optimism they express toward the future. As the Lobos (1-10, 1-6 Mountain West Conference) prepare for their season finale at No. 4 TCU (11-0, 7-0) on Saturday, the Journal asked five UNM seniors playing their final collegiate game their thoughts on the program's immediate future. JOURNAL: What will the Lobos' record be in 2010 and tell me why you think that? LINEBACKER Clint McPeek: I think they're going to win it all - as long as they put in the work in the offseason and they continue to improve like they've been. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with. I give them credit - 13-0. Just the work ethic, everyone has been really busting their butts to get better, and so I think that's going to be the biggest thing. I think you're going to see huge improvements from when they come to practice in the spring. And then in the fall, you'll see more improvements. And by the time the season comes, they'll be firing on all cylinders. (Based on that response, the Journal thought about asking McPeek when he was last drug-tested, but refrained.) PUNTER Adam Miller : Probably 7-5 or 8-4, realistically speaking. There's always perennial powerhouses in our conference. I think we have a lot of young talent and a lot of potential coming up. Look at all the freshman we've got playing. Give them another year and see what happens. Just my experience with coach Locks so far and his recruiting. I have all the faith he'll bring in perennial talent year in and year out. So I think they'll be much improved next year. CENTER Erik Cook: I'd say 6-6, we go to a bowl game, we win that and so we're 7-6 - just because I have a lot of faith in these young guys. I know they're going to make me proud next year. SAFETY Frankie Solomon: I'll say they'll be much better because they'll have one year in the system, one more year of experience because we played a lot of young guys this year. I believe it'll be a winning season, I believe around nine or 10 wins. Just the system and (the players') experience with it. Coming up next year, the guys will know what to do in certain situations and tendencies. They'll know football better. And the coaches will know the tricks and traits of doing the right things in the system and being better. SAFETY Danny Martin : That's a tough one. They're going to be a lot better team than we were this year. They're going to have a lot more guys that are comfortable with the defense, and on offense, I think they're going to be a lot better. I think they're going to go to a bowl game and win, so I think at least seven. They're going to surprise some people. Going into next year, a lot more people will have game experience and they're really going to turn some heads. JOURNAL: What do you think will be the Locksley's biggest obstacle in improving the team next year? MARTIN: I don't see any big obstacles. As long as they continue to work hard, I can see this program just going off. MCPEEK: I think he went through it already. I think this year was the toughest part of it, and I think next year is really when the bus is going to get moving. SOLOMON: As long as they keep the hunger and keep working, they'll have a winning record. COOK: There are always going to be some guys who don't want to put in the work in the offseason. That's where the leadership has to emerge. MILLER: Getting the team to come together. I don't think we were as close-knit early in the year as we are now. You saw how we celebrated the game Saturday like it was the Super Bowl. NOTE : TCU officials say they expect a crowd of 40,000 for Saturday's game, a good showing considering students will be away on Thanksgiving weekend. Saturday UNM at TCU, 11:06 a.m., TV: The mtn, Radio: KKOB-AM (770)