UTEP at North Dakota State - 2026 Matchup Preview
UTEP logo

UTEP Miners at North Dakota State Bison

North Dakota State logo
Saturday, October 31st 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Fargodome - Fargo, ND  (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 coming off BYE
NDSU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: North Dakota State -16.5  (SP+ UTEP -17.5)
Projected Score: UTEP: 6 - NDSU: 22 (28)
NDSU Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
UTEP Travel: 1165 miles, 1 hrs behind
Bison (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tim Polasek (26 - 3)
Avg Score : 0 - 0 (0 - 0 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.7 - 3.3 (#18)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)
 
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————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

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
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
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
NDSU0%00%000%000%00%0%0000
 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
NDSU0%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
NDSU Defense0000%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
 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
NDSU Offense0000%00000000%0%0%0%0%

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
North Dakota State00:000NAN%0%0000000100
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)
NDSU Defense00%0% - - - - 00%0%0
 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)
NDSU Offense00%0%000000%0%0

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)
NDSU Defense00%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
 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)
NDSU Offense00%0%000000000%0%0%0

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   North Dakota State: 1.77

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -17.5   North Dakota State:




North Dakota State's Power Ratings
North Dakota State's Power Rating: 1.77  #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


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
North Dakota State 22
UTEP 6

Projected Total Points: 28
North Dakota State Scoring
Offense: 0 PPG
Offense at Home: 0
Defense: 0 PPG
Defense at Home: 0

North Dakota State'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
North Dakota State000 Overs
UTEP000 Unders

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

(#118) UTEP at (#80) NDSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUTEPNDSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #118 #80
SP+SP+ #129NR
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #69 #135
Blue ChipsBC% #73 #103
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
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
UTEP on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNDSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #135NR
ExplosiveExp #2NR
PPAPPA #130NR
PowerPwr #133 #62
SP+SP+ #111NR
Pts POPPO #97NR
HavocHav #123NR
UTEP Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNDSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #129NR
Run ExplRExp #5NR
PPAExp #105NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #133NR
Stuff RateStuff #124NR
TackleTak - NR
UTEP Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNDSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #135NR
Pass ExplPExl #17NR
PPAExp #130NR
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107NR
DB HavocDB #128NR
North Dakota State on Offense
CategoryCatNDSU OffUTEP Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #42
ExplosiveExpNR #46
PPAPPANR #45
PowerPwr #98 #80
SP+SP+NR #127
Pts POPPONR #85
HavocHavNR #67
North Dakota State Run Game
CategoryCat
NDSU OffUTEP Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #13
Run ExplRExpNR #80
PPAExpNR #23
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #22
Stuff RateStuffNR #21
TackleTak - NR
North Dakota State Pass Game
CategoryCatNDSU OffUTEP Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #75
Pass ExplPExlNR #21
PPAExpNR #65
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #32
DB HavocDBNR #110
Program Comparison
NDSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Fargodome
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

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