Rivalry game: Albuquerque, Las Cruces mayors announce bet on Aggie/Lobo football

You’ve heard from both coaches. You’ve heard from the players.

The fans have told you what they think by nearly selling out Saturday’s Rio Grande Rivalry before game day. And now, the important stuff.

The mayors of Albuquerque and Las Cruces have weighed in with a friendly wager on the outcome of this weekend’s New Mexico State Aggies at New Mexico Lobos football game.

If UNM wins, Las Cruces’ City Hall will raise a Lobo flag on Monday.

If NMSU wins, an Aggie flag will rise above Albuquerque’s City Hall on Monday.

“This rivalry is about more than football — it’s about pride, tradition, and community,” said Albuquerque Mayor Keller. “We’re ready to prove once again that Lobo pride runs strong in Albuquerque. And if, by chance, the Aggies pull off an upset, well ... City Hall may be a little more crimson than usual.”

Keller, born and raised in Albuquerque, graduated from Notre Dame and earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard.

Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez was born and raised in Las Cruces, graduating from New Mexico State and later attended the Harvard School of Leadership program.

“The Aggie vs. Lobo rivalry is great for our respective communities and the state of New Mexico, a lot of pride is at stake,” Enriquez said. “The Aggies have Las Cruces’ full support, and I know Coach (Tony) Sanchez has his team ready to compete and will leave Albuquerque a little more crimson.”

As for others wagering on the game, most sports books — online and at select casinos across New Mexico — have made the Lobos about a two-touchdown favorite.

Both teams are 2-1 with both having one win against an FBS opponent and one win against an FCS opponent.

The teams this year will be playing for “The Roaster,” a 30-pound chile roaster trophy paid for and designed by UNM and NMSU students to serve as a traveling trophy for the rivalry series that has been going on for more than a century.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday and, as a sellout is expected. UNM has been spending the week trying to get ahead of parking issues by opening up a free park-and-ride service and opening up numerous other parking options around University Stadium that are essentially on loan from other businesses in the area.