Nevada at UTEP - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Nevada Wolf Pack at UTEP Miners

UTEP logo
Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Sun Bowl Stadium - El Paso, TX  (Mountain West)

 
Wolf Pack (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jeff Choate (6 - 19)
Avg Score : 18 - 28 (16 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#91)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 9)
NEV coming off BYE
UTEP is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: UTEP -4  (SP+ NEV -4)

Projected Score: NEV: 23 - UTEP: 27 (49)
UTEP Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
NEV Travel: 919 miles, 1 hrs behind
Miners (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scotty Walden (5 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 30 (24 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.1 - 7.9 (#85)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
 
Nevada's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Nevada vs Western Kentucky+12.5
Sat 9/12Nevada vs Montana State-7.5
Sat 9/19Nevada at Middle Tennessee+1.5
Sat 9/26Nevada vs Air Force+6
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10Nevada at UTEP+4
Sat 10/17Nevada at North Dakota State+18
Sat 10/24Nevada vs San José State-1.5
Sat 10/31Nevada at UCLA+22
Sat 11/7Nevada vs New Mexico+14
Sat 11/14Nevada at Northern Illinois+3
Sat 11/21Nevada vs Hawai'i+12.5
Sat 11/28Nevada at UNLV+20.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nevada's Schedule
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
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
NEV#129 (.02)37% (124)17.637% (123)2.83 (86)15536% (118)1472.67 (133)#94 (.19)44% (93)27.544% (85)43% (96)4.15 (112)45.22.31.3
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
 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
NEV0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UTEP0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEV Offense1217.615.536.6%2.672.3173021551474.556%42%37%36%17%.02
UTEP Defense1230.426.839.3%3.851 - - - - - 54%45%37%42%16%.11
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEV Defense1227.529.843.5%4.151.3 - - - - - 50%48%44%43%14%.19
UTEP Offense1223.32433%3.422173321162163.744%54%36%31%19%.02

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
Nevada1230:1917.332%54%5.345.22.31.35.31.6330.4
UTEP1225:3816.830%54%5.957.1216.82.3128.5
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
NEV Offense1256% (23)37% (123)34.6155.34.59 (132).07 (92)2.83 (86)72% (68)11% (114)1.04 (36)
UTEP Defense1254% (112)37% (13) - - - - .02 (23)2.63 (22)64% (21)11% (32)0.98 (80)
 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
NEV Defense1250% (66)44% (85) - - - - .22 (126)3.08 (104)72% (77)9% (93)1.05 (109)
UTEP Offense1244% (113)36% (129)31.3115.63.714 (99).05 (105)2.14 (133)60% (127)11% (107)1.17 (5)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEV Offense1242% (114)36% (118)15.225.7147.25.79.710 (121)17 (134)-.02 (135)1.4 (124)34% (109)24% (130)-.05 (136)6% (86)1.6 (136)
UTEP Defense1245% (25)42% (75) - - - - - - 5 (123).24 (65)1.4 (21)32% (50)27% (31).12 (10)5% (110)1.5 (1)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEV Defense1248% (71)43% (96) - - - - - - 11 (75).18 (38)1.3 (2)32% (65)28% (38).26 (56)6% (86)1.8 (16)
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)

Nevada's Power Ratings
Nevada's Power Rating: -18.91  #136
Nevada's Offense Rating: 0.88  #132
Nevada's Defense Rating: 24.79  #131
2026 Talent Rating: 492.00  #120
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #64
Nevada's 2026 Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Nevada's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.4  #116
Nevada's Offense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #133
Nevada's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.7  #81

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.22
Average FBS Talent: 728.45

Power Ratings Matchup
Nevada: -18.91   UTEP: -12.16

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nevada: -13.4   UTEP: -17.5




UTEP's Power Ratings
UTEP's Power Rating: -12.16  #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: 910.22
Average FBS Talent: 728.45


Nevada Scoring
Offense: 17.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.5
Defense: 27.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 29.8

Nevada'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
UTEP 27
Nevada 23


Projected Total Points: 49
UTEP Scoring
Offense: 23.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 24
Defense: 30.4 PPG
Defense at Home: 26.8

UTEP'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
201909/21UTEP21Nevada37Nevada -14Nevada51.5Over
200211/09Nevada23UTEP17
200111/24UTEP31Nevada48
200011/03Nevada22UTEP45
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UTEP101 Overs
Nevada310 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 30 - 10 - 00 - 1
Road Teams3 - 11 - 01 - 00 - 0

(#136) NEV at (#118) UTEP
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEVUTEP
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #136 #118
SP+SP+ #116 #129
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #120 #69
Blue ChipsBC% #64 #73
Nevada Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Not sure what we're doing here or why
(3/3) Off a tire fire LY, OC fired, QB benched. Ugly
(3/3) QB Jones played LY as Fr but not well. Is he #1?
(3/3) RB are small and below avg. Anyone emerge?
(3/3) WR added 2 prod FCS (Cheers + Doss) could help
(3/3) OL surprisingly good on paper, 3 starters, depth
(3/3) DE Dylan Labarbera a monster, why still here?
(3/3) DL unit could be Avg, DT's have size, LB are ?
(3/3) DBs have 2 good Safeties, 3 exp'd CBs.
Nevada Injury Report
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
Nevada on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
NEV OffUTEP Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #124 #42
ExplosiveExp #102 #46
PPAPPA #129 #45
PowerPwr #132 #80
SP+SP+ #133 #127
Pts POPPO #133 #85
HavocHav #107 #67
Nevada Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
NEV OffUTEP Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #123 #13
Run ExplRExp #36 #80
PPAExp #92 #23
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #86 #22
Stuff RateStuff #79 #21
TackleTak - NR
Nevada Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
NEV OffUTEP Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #118 #75
Pass ExplPExl #124 #21
PPAExp #135 #65
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #114 #32
DB HavocDB #86 #110
UTEP on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCatUTEP OffNEV Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #135 #93
ExplosiveExp #2 #39
PPAPPA #130 #94
PowerPwr #133 #131
SP+SP+ #111 #81
Pts POPPO #97 #112
HavocHav #123 #100
UTEP Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNEV Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #129 #85
Run ExplRExp #5 #109
PPAExp #105 #126
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #133 #104
Stuff RateStuff #124 #110
TackleTak - NR
UTEP Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCatUTEP OffNEV Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #135 #96
Pass ExplPExl #17 #2
PPAExp #130 #38
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107 #93
DB HavocDB #128 #86
Program Comparison
UTEP 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

NEV 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Sun Bowl Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
NEV's OC Bret Bartalone (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Carter Jones11117364%1001685.8
AJ Bianco274560%188114.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Herschel Turner6935305.164
Ky Woods1910305.428
Dominic Kelley236012.610
Carter Jackson84105.110
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaceon Doss (Tr)29657522.784
Donnie Cheers (Tr)44585513.367
Marshaun Brown16164110.322
Gary Givens III12145112.131

View Nevada's Full Roster

NEV's DC Kane Ioane (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Labarbera8817730
Jeremy Naborne354220
Joshua Scott (Tr)290004
Larry Turner-Gooden280001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Labarbera8817730
Jeremy Naborne354220
Poasa Utu (Tr)82210
Myles Williams31100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bryson Snelling140004
Joshua Scott (Tr)290004
Bishop Turner211002

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