UTEP at New Mexico - 2026 Matchup Preview
UTEP logo

UTEP Miners at New Mexico Lobos

New Mexico logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
University Stadium - Albuquerque, NM  (Mountain West)

 
Miners (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scotty Walden (5 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 30 (20 - 37 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.1 - 7.9 (#85)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
UTEP is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: New Mexico -17.5  (SP+ UNM -18)

Projected Score: UTEP: 17 - UNM: 35 (52)
UNM Win prob: 89% | Cover: 51%
UTEP Travel: 228 miles
Lobos (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jason Eck (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 27 - 22 (28 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.5 - 3.5 (#40)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 9)
 
UTEP's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5UTEP at Oklahoma+39.5
Sat 9/12UTEP vs Texas Southern-9
Sat 9/19UTEP at Michigan+36.5
Sat 9/26UTEP vs Oregon State+1.5
Sat 10/3UTEP at New Mexico+17.5
Sat 10/10UTEP vs Nevada-4
Sat 10/17UTEP vs San José State-3
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31UTEP at North Dakota State+16.5
Sat 11/7UTEP vs Hawai'i+11
Sat 11/14UTEP vs Wyoming+3.5
Sat 11/21UTEP at Air Force+9.5
Sat 11/28UTEP at Northern Illinois+1.5

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for UTEP's Schedule
New Mexico's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5New Mexico vs Central Michigan-10.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19New Mexico at Oklahoma+24.5
Sat 9/26New Mexico at New Mexico State-13.5
Sat 10/3New Mexico vs UTEP-17.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17New Mexico at Hawai'i+1
Sat 10/24New Mexico vs North Dakota State-3.5
Sat 10/31New Mexico at San José State-13
Sat 11/7New Mexico at Nevada-14
Sat 11/14New Mexico vs UNLV-0.5
Sat 11/21New Mexico at Wyoming-6.5
Sat 11/28New Mexico vs Air Force-10

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for New Mexico's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UTEP#130 (.02)33% (135)23.336% (129)2.14 (133)11631% (135)2163.42 (97)#45 (.11)39% (42)30.437% (13)42% (75)3.85 (85)57.121
UNM#65 (.18)42% (78)27.143% (77)3.15 (32)15242% (69)2053.96 (44)#47 (.11)40% (50)22.340% (49)40% (58)3.12 (24)48.51.81.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UTEP0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UNM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UTEP Offense1223.320.233%3.422173321162163.744%54%36%31%19%.02
UNM Defense1322.318.740%3.121.3 - - - - - 47%52%40%40%17%.11
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UTEP Defense1230.437.439.3%3.851 - - - - - 54%45%37%42%16%.11
UNM Offense1327.128.341.8%3.961.8193571522054.353%45%43%42%14%.18

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
UTEP1225:3816.830%54%5.957.1216.82.3128.5
New Mexico1330:0319.439%66%5.848.51.81.35.92.8328.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UTEP Offense1244% (113)36% (129)31.3115.63.714 (99).05 (105)2.14 (133)60% (127)11% (107)1.17 (5)
UNM Defense1347% (35)40% (49) - - - - .04 (36)2.63 (21)83% (128)11% (32)0.97 (74)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UTEP Defense1254% (112)37% (13) - - - - .02 (23)2.63 (22)64% (21)11% (32)0.98 (80)
UNM Offense1353% (41)43% (77)35.7152.44.322 (49).14 (54)3.15 (32)75% (45)9% (67)0.99 (59)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UTEP Offense1254% (27)31% (135)18.734.2216.36.311.621 (61)20 (136).03 (130)1.7 (17)34% (115)24% (125).21 (104)8% (128)2.1 (31)
UNM Defense1352% (108)40% (58) - - - - - - 9 (100).24 (64)1.5 (42)34% (33)28% (42).27 (59)6% (52)1.9 (38)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UTEP Defense1245% (25)42% (75) - - - - - - 5 (123).24 (65)1.4 (21)32% (50)27% (31).12 (10)5% (110)1.5 (1)
UNM Offense1345% (97)42% (69)17.526.9204.87.611.717 (61)10 (119).27 (63)1.6 (50)30% (50)30% (71).33 (59)5% (22)1.9 (112)

UTEP's Power Ratings
UTEP's Power Rating: -11.82  #118
UTEP's Offense Rating: 0.81  #133
UTEP's Defense Rating: 17.63  #80
2026 Talent Rating: 740.00  #69
Blue Chip Ratio: 2%  #73
UTEP's 2026 Expected Record: 4.1 - 7.9
UTEP's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -17.5  #129
UTEP's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.2  #111
UTEP's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.3  #127

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -11.82   New Mexico: 2.73

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -17.5   New Mexico: 0.9




New Mexico's Power Ratings
New Mexico's Power Rating: 2.73  #78
New Mexico's Offense Rating: 12.81  #70
New Mexico's Defense Rating: 18.25  #85
2026 Talent Rating: 526.00  #116
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #64
New Mexico's 2026 Expected Record: 7.5 - 3.5
New Mexico's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.9  #73
New Mexico's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.4  #82
New Mexico's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.1  #66

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


UTEP Scoring
Offense: 23.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 20.2
Defense: 30.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 37.4

UTEP's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
New Mexico 35
UTEP 17


Projected Total Points: 52
New Mexico Scoring
Offense: 27.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 22.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 18.7

New Mexico's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202209/17New Mexico27UTEP10UTEP -2New Mexico38.0Under
202109/25UTEP20New Mexico13New Mexico -2.5UTEP53.5Under
201408/30New Mexico24UTEP31New Mexico -6.5UTEP0
201309/07UTEP35New Mexico42UTEP -7New Mexico0
201010/02New Mexico20UTEP38
200709/01UTEP10New Mexico6
200609/23New Mexico26UTEP13
200509/24UTEP21New Mexico13
200109/01New Mexico26UTEP6
TeamWinsCoversO/U
New Mexico420 Overs
UTEP522 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 32 - 20 - 22 - 0
Road Teams3 - 62 - 20 - 22 - 0

(#118) UTEP at (#78) UNM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUTEPUNM
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #118 #78
SP+SP+ #129 #73
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #69 #116
Blue ChipsBC% #73 #64
UTEP Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Liked Walden hire, but this isn't working
(3/3) Walden hired ST coach Joe Pappalardo as OC?
(3/3) QB EJ Colson was good at FCS Incarnate Word
(3/3) Walden has 75 croots in his era but no results
(3/3) QB Raymond Moore was OK as FCS Fr, mobile
(3/3) RB 2 portals, lots of projects, Sperling (Buf) exp'd
(3/3) WR Cheeks (FCS) intriguing, lots of ? here
(3/3) OL 4 portals, 2 were starters & projects/freshman
(3/3) F7 are mostly FCS portals and projects, DL Ok
(3/3) DBs most exp'd, 2 decent CBs, 2 exp'd Safeties
UTEP Injury Report
New Mexico Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Eck a fast rising HC, have talent, lack exp
(3/3) OL has 4 solid starters returning, depth is light
(3/3) DL looks OK, 5 with exp + 3 portals. Big DTs
(3/3) DBs have good exp, 4 portal adds. Lack dudes
(3/3) Big crootin class of 25, solid future foundation
(3/3) QB Jack Layne back, decent LY but TD/TO is ?
(3/3) RB rebuild, have 2 w exp but not a lot of prod
(3/3) WR Williams (FCS) + Omeire portals help rebuild
New Mexico Injury Report
UTEP on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffUNM Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #135 #50
ExplosiveExp #2 #58
PPAPPA #130 #47
PowerPwr #133 #85
SP+SP+ #111 #66
Pts POPPO #97 #24
HavocHav #123 #36
UTEP Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffUNM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #129 #49
Run ExplRExp #5 #74
PPAExp #105 #36
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #133 #21
Stuff RateStuff #124 #18
TackleTak - NR
UTEP Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffUNM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #135 #58
Pass ExplPExl #17 #42
PPAExp #130 #64
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107 #32
DB HavocDB #128 #52
New Mexico on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatUNM OffUTEP Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #78 #42
ExplosiveExp #55 #46
PPAPPA #65 #45
PowerPwr #70 #80
SP+SP+ #82 #127
Pts POPPO #44 #85
HavocHav #45 #67
New Mexico Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
UNM OffUTEP Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #77 #13
Run ExplRExp #59 #80
PPAExp #54 #23
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #32 #22
Stuff RateStuff #11 #21
TackleTak - NR
New Mexico Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatUNM OffUTEP Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #69 #75
Pass ExplPExl #50 #21
PPAExp #63 #65
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #67 #32
DB HavocDB #22 #110
Program Comparison
UNM 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'26 Profile: Up to Top G5

UTEP 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in University Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
UTEP's OC Joe Pappalardo (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
EJ Colson (Tr)21029671%21421647.2
Raymond Moore III (Tr)7714155%878876.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Raymond Moore III (Tr)7631554.123
EJ Colson (Tr)10828732.730
Lamar Sperling (Tr)3923416.063
Elijah McCoy154703.112
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carver Cheeks71929613.175
Jaylan Brown10103010.334
Judah Ezinwa476019.033
Royal Capell (Tr)104704.713

View UTEP's Full Roster

UTEP's DC Bobby Daly (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jayden Wilson928160
Xavier Smith602014
Justin Content586016
Kode Lowe344010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shakaun Bowser233210
Ekow Taylor122220
Vashon Brunswick II82100
Kaleb Miles (Tr)151100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Justin Content586016
Xavier Smith602014
Preston Hickey (Tr)61001

UNM's OC Luke Schleusner (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Layne21332765%248613107.6
Luke Moga (Tr)3560%580011.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Scottre Humphrey7734954.561
Kiefer Sibley4527456.145
Jack Layne8715241.754
Luke Moga (Tr)349016.325
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Miles Williams (Tr)41524212.846
Troy Omeire (Tr)32521516.368
Cade Keith20253312.745
Shawn Miller15199113.342

View New Mexico's Full Roster

UNM's DC Spence Nowinsky (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaxton Eck1287232
Tavian Combs721103
Mercury Swaim527212
Frankie Edwards471000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mercury Swaim527212
Darren Agu304221
Jaxton Eck1287232
Jalen McIver103211
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Drew Speech100008
Kevin Longstreet40004
Ormanie Arnold (Tr)150003