Behind Enemy Lines: What Opponents are Saying About the UTEP Miners

A game-by-game prediction of the UTEP Miners' 2026 season, including the biggest game, trap game and upset watch, as well as a best-case and worst-case scenario for Scotty Walden's program.

Mike Craven

Note: This story is featured in the 2026 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Summer Magazine, which you can order here.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

“Life won’t get easier for UTEP in the Mountain West. It’s a good move for them in the long run but it might expose them even more in the short term. If they couldn’t win in Conference USA, how are they going to do it against better programs with even more money and resources?”

“The problem in El Paso is the administration. Scotty (Walden) has no chance with who is in charge out there right now. The same downward trend is there in multiple sports.”

“EJ (Colson) was a great pickup for them. UIW would’ve been a playoff contender if he starts from the beginning of the year, but he was a late arrival and just didn’t have any live reps until the season started.”

“They’re too small. They’ve looked like an FCS team, and not a very big one.”

SCHEDULE AND PREDICTIONS

Sept. 5 at Oklahoma L

Sept. 12 Texas Southern W

Sept. 19 at Michigan L

Sept. 26 Oregon State L

Oct. 3 at New Mexico L

Oct. 10 Nevada W

Oct. 17 San Jose State W

Oct. 31 at North Dakota State L

Nov. 7 Hawaii L

Nov. 14 Wyoming L

Nov. 21 at Air Force L

Nov. 28 at NIU W

Record: 4-8 (3-5)

https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2026/04/30/inside-uteps-mountain-west-move-how-the-miners-are-building-for-2026

BIGGEST GAME – Oct. 3 at New Mexico

The Miners begin the Mountain West era at New Mexico in the 81st meeting between the two rivals. UTEP fans have been clamoring for the move to the Mountain West and a good showing in the conference debut could build real momentum towards a bowl bid.

TRAP GAME – Sept. 12 vs. Texas Southern

UTEP lost a Week 2 home game against an FCS team in 2024 when the Miners fell to Southern Utah in overtime. The Week 2 home game against Texas Southern is sandwiched between a Week 1 road trip to Oklahoma and a Week 3 visit to Michigan.

UPSET ALERT – Oct. 31 at North Dakota State

UTEP enjoys two home games and an idle week ahead of the trip to the Fargodome to face former FCS powerhouse North Dakota State on Halloween. The Bison will be coming off a long road trip to New Mexico the week before and aren’t used to the rigors of an FBS schedule.

https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2026/08/03/utep-offense-defense-preview

BEST CASE/WORST CASE

Best Case: 7-5

The Miners reach a bowl game for only the second time since 2014 and the sixth time since 2000 because the offense finds its groove in Year 3 under head coach and play caller Scotty Walden. UTEP wins a bowl game for the first time since 1967.

Worst Case: 1-11

UTEP goes winless against FBS programs as a non-conference schedule that includes trips to Oklahoma and Michigan as well as a home game against Oregon State leaves the Miners battered and bruised heading into their first year in the Mountain West.

https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2026/08/03/utep-main

2025 RESULTS

Aug. 30 at Utah State L 28-16

Sept. 6 UT Martin W 42-17

Sept. 13 at Texas L 27-10

Sept. 20 ULM L 31-25

Sept. 27 La Tech L 30-11

Oct. 8 Liberty L 19-8

Oct. 15 at Sam Houston W 35-17

Oct. 28 at Kennesaw State L 33-20

Nov. 8 Jax State L 30-27

Nov. 15 at Missouri State L 38-24

Nov. 22 New Mexico State L 34-31

Nov. 29 at Delaware State L 58-31

Record: 2-10 (1-7)