North Dakota State at New Mexico - 2026 Matchup Preview
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North Dakota State Bison at New Mexico Lobos

New Mexico logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
University Stadium - Albuquerque, NM  (Mountain West)

 
Bison (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tim Polasek (26 - 3)
Avg Score : 0 - 0 (0 - 0 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 3.3 (#18)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
NDSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: New Mexico -3.5  (SP+ UNM -1)
Projected Score: NDSU: 10 - UNM: 14 (24)
UNM Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
NDSU Travel: 963 miles, 1 hrs ahead
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)
 
North Dakota State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29North Dakota State vs Jacksonville State-8————
Sat 9/5North Dakota State vs Fordham-23————
Sat 9/12North Dakota State at Air Force-4.5————
Sat 9/19North Dakota State at Sacramento State-2.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3North Dakota State vs Wyoming-10.5————
Sat 10/10North Dakota State at UNLV+5.5————
Sat 10/17North Dakota State vs Nevada-18————
Sat 10/24North Dakota State at New Mexico+3.5————
Sat 10/31North Dakota State vs UTEP-16.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14North Dakota State at Hawai'i+2————
Sat 11/21North Dakota State vs Northern Illinois-17.5————
Sat 11/28North Dakota State at San José State-12————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 8
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for North Dakota State'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————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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
NDSU0%00%000%000%00%0%0000
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
NDSU0%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
NDSU Offense0000%00000000%0%0%0%0%
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
NDSU Defense0000%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
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
North Dakota State00:000NAN%0%0000000100
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
NDSU Offense00%0%000000%0%0
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
NDSU Defense00%0% - - - - 00%0%0
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
NDSU Offense00%0%000000000%0%0%0
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
NDSU Defense00%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
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)

North Dakota State's Power Ratings
North Dakota State's Power Rating: -1.46  #80
North Dakota State's Offense Rating: 8.15  #98
North Dakota State's Defense Rating: 14.61  #62
2026 Talent Rating: 190.00  #135
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #103
North Dakota State's 2026 Expected Record: 8.7 - 3.3
North Dakota State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
North Dakota State's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
North Dakota State's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

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

Power Ratings Matchup
North Dakota State: -1.46   New Mexico: 2.73

SP+ Ratings Matchup
North Dakota State:    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


North Dakota State Scoring
Offense: 0 PPG
Offense on Road: 0
Defense: 0 PPG
Defense on Road: 0

North Dakota 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
New Mexico 14
North Dakota State 10

Projected Total Points: 24
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
TeamWinsCoversO/U
New Mexico000 Overs
North Dakota State000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#80) NDSU at (#78) UNM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNDSUUNM
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #80 #78
SP+SP+NR #73
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #135 #116
Blue ChipsBC% #103 #64
North Dakota State Notes
(2/14) Vibes: High, looking to dominate MWC in 1st yr
(2/14) Really good program, possibly fav to win MWC
(2/14) OL good, returns 3 starters + 2 more w good exp
(2/9) QB1 lost starter, N Hayes some exp, very mobile
(2/9) RB Scott (500 yds, #2 LY) back, have depth here
(2/9) WR lost #1 & 2, have some exp + good TE
(2/9) DT K Wilson & LB D Woolen both FCS A.A. LY
(2/9) FCS Def stats N/A, will need to sort out
(2/8) 1st year in FBS & MWC. Stats are limited
North Dakota State 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
North Dakota State on Offense
CategoryCat
NDSU OffUNM Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #50
ExplosiveExpNR #58
PPAPPANR #47
PowerPwr #98 #85
SP+SP+NR #66
Pts POPPONR #24
HavocHavNR #36
North Dakota State Run Game
CategoryCat
NDSU OffUNM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #49
Run ExplRExpNR #74
PPAExpNR #36
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #21
Stuff RateStuffNR #18
TackleTak - NR
North Dakota State Pass Game
CategoryCat
NDSU OffUNM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #58
Pass ExplPExlNR #42
PPAExpNR #64
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #32
DB HavocDBNR #52
New Mexico on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatUNM OffNDSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #78NR
ExplosiveExp #55NR
PPAPPA #65NR
PowerPwr #70 #62
SP+SP+ #82NR
Pts POPPO #44NR
HavocHav #45NR
New Mexico Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
UNM OffNDSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #77NR
Run ExplRExp #59NR
PPAExp #54NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #32NR
Stuff RateStuff #11NR
TackleTak - NR
New Mexico Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatUNM OffNDSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #69NR
Pass ExplPExl #50NR
PPAExp #63NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #67NR
DB HavocDB #22NR
Program Comparison
UNM 5 Year Profile: Improving Average G5
'26 Profile: Up to Top G5

NDSU 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
  
NDSU's OC Dan Larson (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Nathan Hayes254457%381418.7
Trey Drake11100%4004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DJ Scott9550265.339
Cortez LeGrant2513105.222
Nathan Hayes788112.634
Myles Mitchell187814.321
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Reis Kessel15335122.350
Jackson Williams17293117.251
Mekhi Collins6159226.568
Isiah St. Romain450112.515

View North Dakota State's Full Roster

NDSU's DC Grant Olson (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

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