Mountain West Reveals 2026 Opponents for New Mexico Lobos
The Mountain West has unveiled the schedule matrix for the 2026 season, detailing both home and away matchups for its nine teams. Central to this announcement are the New Mexico Lobos, who have a varied set of opponents in the coming season.
2026 Opponents for New Mexico Lobos
The Lobos are set to host four matches in 2026:
- Air Force
- Northern Illinois (NIU)
- UNLV
- UTEP
On the road, New Mexico will face four opponents:
- Hawai’i
- Nevada
- San José State
- Wyoming
Significant Matchups
One of the key games will be against UNLV, which saw both teams tied for first place in the Mountain West. In their previous encounter, the Lobos triumphed over the Rebels with a score of 40-35, securing bowl eligibility.
Also noteworthy is the matchup against UTEP, historically significant as it will be their first conference game since 1998. The previous game in 2022 ended favorably for New Mexico with a 27-10 victory.
Road Challenges Await
The Lobos will have a challenging road schedule. Notably, they seek to end an eight-game losing streak against San José State. Their last victory there dates back to 1969.
Another challenge will be their trip to Reno, where they have struggled historically, with an 0-4-1 record in previous visits. The Lobos also look to avenge a close loss to Hawai’i from the 2024 season.
Historical Context
The addition of NIU and UTEP to the Mountain West necessitated the refresh of the schedule matrix. The history between New Mexico and UTEP, stemming from their long presence in the Western Athletic Conference and Border Conference, adds layers to their upcoming matchups.
The Lobos last faced Wyoming in 2021, marking a significant gap in meetings between the two teams, as they did not meet in 2025.
2025 Bowl Game
As a feature of their upcoming schedule, New Mexico will compete in the 2025 Rate Bowl against Minnesota on December 26, at Chase Field in Phoenix. Tickets are available for fans through the Lobo allotment.
