UTEP Miners is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -20.2. UTEP Miners enters the season with a power rating of -20.2, placing them below average relative to the FBS midpoint. The UTEP Miners head to Oklahoma next in Week 1. In 2025, UTEP Miners went 2-10 overall, 3-9 against the spread, and 8-4 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the UTEP Miners Power Rating of -20.2 is 20.4 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. UTEP Miners have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 10,239 miles, ranking 28th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Oklahoma | 574 mi | 1,148 mi |
| Week 2 | Texas Southern | Home | 1,148 mi |
| Week 3 | Michigan | 1,445 mi | 4,038 mi |
| Week 4 | Oregon State | Home | 4,038 mi |
| Week 5 | New Mexico | 227 mi | 4,492 mi |
| Week 6 | Nevada | Home | 4,492 mi |
| Week 7 | San José State | Home | 4,492 mi |
| Week 8 | — | Bye | |
| Week 9 | North Dakota State | 1,164 mi | 6,820 mi |
| Week 10 | Hawai'i | Home | 6,820 mi |
| Week 11 | Wyoming | Home | 6,820 mi |
| Week 12 | Air Force | 507 mi | 7,834 mi |
| Week 13 | Northern Illinois | 1,203 mi | 10,239 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
UTEP enters 2026 with EJ Colson, an FCS transfer from Incarnate Word, as the new starting quarterback. Colson threw for 2,142 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games last season and adds a dual-threat element with nearly 12 carries per game. The offense finished 112th in total yards a year ago, so Colson's ability to spark the unit is critical. The preseason scouting report noted that if UTEP can finally stabilize the quarterback position, they could have a good year; if not, it will be a rough one.
The offensive line will feature four transfers alongside returning right tackle Juan Camacho Jr., a local El Paso product. This overhaul is meant to improve protection and run blocking after last year's struggles. However, the unit is largely unproven together, and the schedule includes early tests against Oklahoma and Michigan, which will immediately reveal whether the new line can hold up against elite defensive fronts.
Safety Xavier Smith, who had 60 tackles and an interception last season, leads a secondary that is expected to be the defense's strength. Corner Justin Content adds veteran presence. Linebacker Jayden Wilson was the team's second-leading tackler with 92 stops and eight tackles for loss, making him an all-league candidate. The defensive line returns starter Ashton Coker and gets Derek Burns back from injury, but the unit as a whole allowed 110th in points allowed nationally and has many questions.
Transfer kicker Cade Hechter arrives after an FCS All-American season at UT Martin, where he hit 15 of 17 field goals. Punter Brady Braun comes from Gardner-Webb, and Kam Thomas is an athletic punt returner. If the offense struggles to finish drives, Hechter's reliability could be crucial in close games, and field position from Braun and Thomas may help a defense that needs all the help it can get.
UTEP moves from Conference USA to the Mountain West this season, and the non-conference schedule includes road games at Oklahoma and Michigan in September. The Miners have won only five games in two years under head coach Scotty Walden, and the power rating of -18.8 reflects the challenge. How the team performs in those early games will set the tone for the rest of the season and determine whether they can build momentum for conference play.
UTEP Miners is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
UTEP Miners holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -20.2, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
UTEP Miners's home field advantage rating is 2.5 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
UTEP Miners travels 10,239 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 28th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
UTEP Miners: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating -20.2.
