New Mexico State vs. Louisiana Tech: Pavia, Smoke Harris lead storylines for Tuesday football

The New Mexico State Aggies will take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in a Week 9 matchup. Diego Pavia, the quarterback for the Aggies, has been the subject of much discussion recently.

Pavia was named the CUSA Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 16 for his big performance against Sam Houston and received recognition as one of the Manning Award's Stars of the Week for the second time. He was the first Aggie this season to record a 100-yard rushing game and have over 400 yards of total offense since 2017.

Pavia recently made headlines for different reasons after a video appeared to capture Pavia urinating on New Mexico’s Lobo logo inside the school’s indoor practice facility before the rivals played each other in a Week 7 matchup on September 16th. Pavia was also seen on the video showing his middle finger to a separate logo.

A spokesperson for New Mexico State confirmed awareness of the situation but did not disclose if any punishment was administered to Pavia, citing federal privacy laws.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have not lost to New Mexico State since 2006 and are not letting Pavia’s distractions hinder their pursuit of a seventh consecutive win in the series against the Aggies. The Bulldogs are favorites as they head into the Week 9 match-up against the Aggies.

NCAAF Standings 2023: Conference USA

Who is Diego Pavia?

Diego Pavia is the quarterback for the New Mexico State . He had also received offers from Jackson State and Saint Francis but decided to play for the Aggies.

Pavia spent his freshman and sophomore years at New Mexico Military Institute before joining the New Mexico State team in 2022 as a Junior, where he appeared in 12 games and started eight of them as the team's quarterback.

Pavia completed 117 of 189 passes for a 61.9% completion rate and 16 touchdowns in the 2023 season before Week 9.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that despite having a good 2023 season, Pavia has not spoken to the media for three weeks after a video of him urinating on the New Mexico Lobo logo surfaced. Head coach Jerry Kill mentioned that it is unlikely that Pavia will speak to the media again this season.

What to watch for Louisiana Tech:

Louisiana Tech are fifth in the Conference USA standings with a 3-5 overall record for 2023 heading into Week 9. The Bulldogs boasts a strong wide receiver corps led by Smoke Harris, who ranks second among FBS players in the nation in receptions with 59. Harris has 614 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the 2023 season thus far.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have won their last four meetings against New Mexico State by an average of 29 points, giving them an advantage in the Week 9 matchup.

How to watch New Mexico State vs. Louisiana Tech, TV and streaming:

The New Mexico State Aggies (5-3, 3-1) kick-off against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-5, 2-2) at 7:00 p.m., ET on CBS Sports Network. You can also watch via Fubo.

How to watch: Catch football action this season on Fubo

College Football Odds Week 9: New Mexico State vs. Louisiana Tech Lines, betting trends:

The Bulldogs are favorites to defeat the Aggies, according to the BetMGM college football odds.

Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps.

• Spread Favorite: Louisiana Tech (-2.5)

• Moneyline: Louisiana Tech (-128), Mexico State (+108)

• Total: 51.5 points

The New Mexico State Aggies football 2023 schedule and results:

• Week 1: New Mexico State 30-41 Massachusetts, Final

• Week 2: New Mexico State 58-21 Western Illinois, Final

• Week 3: New Mexico State 17-33 Liberty, Final

• Week 4: New Mexico State 27-17 New Mexico, Final

• Week 5: New Mexico State 17-20 Hawaii, Final

• Week 6: New Mexico State 34-17 Florida International, Final

• Week 7: New Mexico State 27-13 Sam Houston, Final

• Week 8: New Mexico State 28-7 UTEP, Final

• Week 9: Tues. 10/24: New Mexico State vs. Louisiana Tech, 7:00 p.m., ET, CBS Sports Network

• Week 10: Sat. 11/04: New Mexico State vs. Middle Tennessee, 6:00 p.m., ET, TBD

• Week 11: Sat. 11/11: New Mexico State vs. Western Kentucky, 3:30 p.m., ET, TBD

• Week 12: Sat. 11/18: New Mexico State vs. Auburn, TBD

• Week 13: Sat 11/25: New Mexico State vs. Jacksonville State, 4 p.m., ET, TBD

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football 2023 schedule and results:

• Week 1: Louisiana Tech 22-17 Florida International, Final

• Week 2: Louisiana Tech 14-38 SMU, Final

• Week 3: Louisiana Tech 51-21 Northwestern State, Final

• Week 4: Louisiana Tech 37-40 North Texas, Final

• Week 5: Louisiana Tech 14-28 Nebraska, Final

• Week 6: Louisiana Tech 24-10 UTEP, Final

• Week 7: Louisiana Tech 28-35 Western Kentucky, Final

• Week 8: Louisiana Tech 23-31 Middle Tennessee, Final

• Week 9: Tues. 10/24: Louisiana Tech vs. New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m., ET, CBS Sports Network

• Week 10: Sat. 11/04: Louisiana Tech vs. Liberty, 6:00 p.m., ET, CBS Sports Network

• Week 11: Sat. 11/11: Louisiana Tech vs. Sam Houston, 3:30 p.m., ET, TBD

• Week 12: Sat. 11/18: Louisiana Tech vs. Jacksonville State , TBD

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch New Mexico State vs. Louisiana Tech game: TV info, schedule, odds