UTEP at Northern Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview
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UTEP Miners at Northern Illinois Huskies

Northern Illinois logo
Saturday, November 28th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium - DeKalb, IL  (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 2nd straight Road Game
NIU is playing their 8th straight game
UTEP is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -1.5  (SP+ NIU -1)

Projected Score: UTEP: 23 - NIU: 25 (48)
NIU Win prob: 50% | Cover: 47%
UTEP Travel: 1202 miles, 1 hrs behind
Huskies (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rob Harley (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (18 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#91)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 8)
 
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
Northern Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Northern Illinois at Iowa+35
Sat 9/12Northern Illinois vs Illinois State-7.5
Sat 9/19Northern Illinois at Arizona+27.5
Sat 9/26Northern Illinois at Georgia State-0
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10Northern Illinois vs Air Force+6
Sat 10/17Northern Illinois at Wyoming+9.5
Sat 10/24Northern Illinois vs Hawai'i+12
Sat 10/31Northern Illinois at UNLV+20.5
Sat 11/7Northern Illinois at San José State+3
Sat 11/14Northern Illinois vs Nevada-3
Sat 11/21Northern Illinois at North Dakota State+17.5
Sat 11/28Northern Illinois vs UTEP-1.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, 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 Northern Illinois'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
NIU#126 (.04)34% (132)17.138% (116)2.84 (84)18628% (136)993.04 (121)#86 (.19)44% (100)24.346% (111)41% (65)3.45 (49)380.91.1
 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
NIU0%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
NIU Defense1224.320.844.1%3.451.1 - - - - - 58%40%46%41%11%.19
 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
NIU Offense1217.117.834.5%3.040.915284186994.565%34%38%28%13%.04

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
Northern Illinois1229:131532%59%4.3380.91.13.31.2127.3
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)
NIU Defense1258% (132)46% (111) - - - - .17 (107)3.18 (117)72% (78)7% (134)0.95 (62)
 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)
NIU Offense1265% (6)38% (116)41.4185.64.516 (122).11 (73)2.84 (84)69% (85)10% (87)1.11 (15)

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)
NIU Defense1240% (5)41% (65) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (45)1.5 (55)28% (120)36% (130).5 (134)5% (114)2.1 (108)
 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)
NIU Offense1234% (131)28% (136)10.820.398.84.99.28 (128)6 (60) (134)1.6 (32)34% (116)23% (132).13 (127)3% (4)2.1 (46)

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   Northern Illinois: -13.26

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UTEP: -17.5   Northern Illinois: -16.7




Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -13.26  #130
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 2.73  #128
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 22.55  #121
2026 Talent Rating: 564.00  #102
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #103
Northern Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 3.8 - 8.2
Northern Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.7  #128
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.0  #135
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.1  #74

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
Northern Illinois 25
UTEP 23


Projected Total Points: 48
Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 17.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.8

Northern Illinois'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
Northern Illinois000 Overs
UTEP000 Unders

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

(#118) UTEP at (#130) NIU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUTEPNIU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #118 #130
SP+SP+ #129 #128
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #69 #102
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
Northern Illinois Notes
(3/3) Vibes: HC left, only 2 portals? Moved to MWC?
(3/3) QB Holst is back, but there's nothing good here
(3/3) RBs Wright & Johnson productive duo, have depth
(3/3) WR unit may be worst in CFB on paper.
(3/3) OL has 1.5 starters back, have bodies, very young
(3/3) F7 lacks experience, size, production
(3/3) DBs have exp and some depth.
(3/3) Program is flailing and lost. Rather depressing
(2/18) DC Rob Harley Int HC, Hammock left for NFL.
Northern Illinois Injury Report
UTEP on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNIU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #135 #100
ExplosiveExp #2 #40
PPAPPA #130 #86
PowerPwr #133 #121
SP+SP+ #111 #74
Pts POPPO #97 #49
HavocHav #123 #132
UTEP Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #129 #111
Run ExplRExp #5 #62
PPAExp #105 #107
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #133 #117
Stuff RateStuff #124 #119
TackleTak - NR
UTEP Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 44%
CategoryCat
UTEP OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #135 #65
Pass ExplPExl #17 #55
PPAExp #130 #45
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107 #134
DB HavocDB #128 #114
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffUTEP Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #132 #42
ExplosiveExp #57 #46
PPAPPA #126 #45
PowerPwr #128 #80
SP+SP+ #135 #127
Pts POPPO #121 #85
HavocHav #29 #67
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUTEP Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #116 #13
Run ExplRExp #15 #80
PPAExp #73 #23
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #84 #22
Stuff RateStuff #60 #21
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffUTEP Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #136 #75
Pass ExplPExl #32 #21
PPAExp #134 #65
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #32
DB HavocDB #4 #110
Program Comparison
NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Brigham Field at Huskie 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

NIU's OC Quinn Sanders (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Josh Holst7813060%689435.3
Brady Davidson408746%384334.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chavon Wright19687554.545
Telly Johnson Jr.12469045.680
Jalen Macon4521654.836
Lazaro Rogers3318915.776
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Rickey Taylor Jr.9134114.941
Telly Johnson Jr.169706.117
Elijah Porter167167.067
George Dimopoulos115805.319

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Rob Harley (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mark Hensley315110
Donte Harrison302005
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
James Finley150002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
Mark Hensley315110
Landon Tate30000
Malik Armstrong10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donte Harrison302005
Dev'ion Reynolds130003
James Finley150002