San José State at UTEP - 2026 Matchup Preview
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San José State Spartans at UTEP Miners

UTEP logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Sun Bowl Stadium - El Paso, TX  (Mountain West)

 
Spartans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Ken Niumatalolo (10 - 15)
Avg Score : 21 - 33 (17 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.3 - 8.7 (#83)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
UTEP 2nd straight Home Game
UTEP is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: UTEP -3  (SP+ SJSU -3)

Projected Score: SJSU: 25 - UTEP: 28 (53)
UTEP Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
SJSU Travel: 953 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)
 
San José State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29San José State at USC+38.5
Fri 9/4San José State at Eastern Michigan+7.5
Sat 9/12San José State vs Cal Poly-8.5
Sat 9/19San José State vs Fresno State+12.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3San José State at Hawai'i+16.5
Sat 10/10San José State vs Wyoming+4
Sat 10/17San José State at UTEP+3
Sat 10/24San José State at Nevada+1.5
Sat 10/31San José State vs New Mexico+13
Sat 11/7San José State vs Northern Illinois-3
Sat 11/14San José State at Air Force+10
Sat 11/21San José State vs UNLV+14.5
Sat 11/28San José State vs North Dakota State+12

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, 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 San José State'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
SJSU#67 (.18)44% (54)21.447% (28)3.06 (46)12041% (72)2832.77 (130)#98 (.2)42% (77)32.542% (67)43% (81)4.04 (107)54.82.31.2
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
SJSU0%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
SJSU Offense1221.41743.5%2.772.3204031202834.638%60%47%41%15%.18
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
SJSU Defense1232.535.542.1%4.041.2 - - - - - 54%44%42%43%12%.2
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
San José State1227:4720.143%26%5.854.82.31.24.31.5127.2
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
SJSU Offense1238% (132)47% (28)26.1120.14.614 (107).12 (65)3.06 (46)71% (78)6% (2)0.94 (78)
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
SJSU Defense1254% (117)42% (67) - - - - .11 (70)3.02 (97)80% (121)8% (123)0.9 (37)
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
SJSU Offense1260% (5)41% (72)22.840.6283.2712.517 (30)17 (34).22 (81)1.5 (106)32% (86)32% (48).29 (72)9% (135)1.8 (125)
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
SJSU Defense1244% (21)43% (81) - - - - - - 7 (38).34 (109)1.8 (128)31% (85)28% (55).32 (84)5% (118)2.1 (114)
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)

San José State's Power Ratings
San José State's Power Rating: -16.07  #133
San José State's Offense Rating: 4.30  #120
San José State's Defense Rating: 25.37  #132
2026 Talent Rating: 478.00  #122
Blue Chip Ratio: 2%  #73
San José State's 2026 Expected Record: 4.3 - 8.7
San José State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.3  #118
San José State's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.6  #108
San José State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.4  #115

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

Power Ratings Matchup
San José State: -16.07   UTEP: -12.16

SP+ Ratings Matchup
San José State: -14.3   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: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


San José State Scoring
Offense: 21.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 32.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.5

San José State'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 28
San José State 25


Projected Total Points: 53
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
200410/30San José State20UTEP38
200311/08UTEP41San José State69
200209/28San José State58UTEP24
200110/20UTEP28San José State40
200010/13San José State30UTEP47
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UTEP200 Overs
San José State300 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 40 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams4 - 10 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#133) SJSU at (#118) UTEP
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSJSUUTEP
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #133 #118
SP+SP+ #118 #129
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #122 #69
Blue ChipsBC% #73 #73
San José State Notes
(3/3) Vibes: Bad, this roster is really awful on paper
(3/3) Def awful LY, DC fired. Off went fast to protect OL
(3/3) QB Weaver (Haw) most exp'd, Amisone is mobile
(3/3) RB + WR pretty bleak. Need depth to rise
(3/3) OL likely bad again, only 2 starters, 3 portals
(3/3) DL is small, has 5 w exp, could they be avg?
(3/3) DBs look pretty awful, lack bodies, exp, talent
(3/3) Finished 1-6 last year, going south quickly
San José State 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
San José State on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat
SJSU OffUTEP Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #54 #42
ExplosiveExp #58 #46
PPAPPA #67 #45
PowerPwr #120 #80
SP+SP+ #108 #127
Pts POPPO #130 #85
HavocHav #67 #67
San José State Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat
SJSU OffUTEP Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #28 #13
Run ExplRExp #78 #80
PPAExp #65 #23
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #46 #22
Stuff RateStuff #85 #21
TackleTak - NR
San José State Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat
SJSU OffUTEP Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #72 #75
Pass ExplPExl #106 #21
PPAExp #81 #65
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #2 #32
DB HavocDB #135 #110
UTEP on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCatUTEP OffSJSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #135 #77
ExplosiveExp #2 #98
PPAPPA #130 #98
PowerPwr #133 #132
SP+SP+ #111 #115
Pts POPPO #97 #107
HavocHav #123 #129
UTEP Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffSJSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #129 #67
Run ExplRExp #5 #37
PPAExp #105 #70
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #133 #97
Stuff RateStuff #124 #128
TackleTak - NR
UTEP Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCatUTEP OffSJSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #135 #81
Pass ExplPExl #17 #128
PPAExp #130 #109
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107 #123
DB HavocDB #128 #118
Program Comparison
UTEP 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

SJSU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Sun Bowl Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
SJSU's OC Craig Stutzmann (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Luke Weaver (Tr)6310560%628636.0
Tama Amisone265052%205034.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jabari Bates2719227.187
Tama Amisone3416014.723
Luke Weaver (Tr)277302.713
Viliami Teu177014.19
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Anderson24361015.052
Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa98409.329
Cooper Hoch54308.613
Jabari Bates112012.012

View San José State's Full Roster

SJSU's DC Bojay Filimoeatu (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ethan Powell373020
Justin Stearns253110
Solomone Langi192110
Noa Siaosi111110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aizik Mahuka (Tr)72100
Etu Finau52111
Solomone Langi192110
Noa Siaosi111110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Buxton (Tr)110002
Runye Norton00001
Etu Finau52111

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