Spence Nowinsky has built a monster in Albuquerque. After turning New Mexico into one of the nation’s most improved defenses in 2025, the Lobos’ coordinator has leveled up again in 2026 - holding nationally ranked Oklahoma to just 14 points and anchoring an opportunistic unit that ranks fourth in the FBS in total defense (201 yards per game) and leads the country with 11 takeaways. Head coach Jason Eck calls him the best Group of Five defensive coordinator in America, and if the "Mutts" keep playing with this level of relentless physicality, Power Four programs won't be able to look away for long.

Discover the top 5 takeaways from Week 3 of Mountain West college football. From North Dakota State’s dominant 4-0 run to New Mexico’s defensive stand against Oklahoma, see who impressed, who struggled, and what it means for the conference title race.

A stellar defense and three forced turnovers gave New Mexico eight separate drives in Oklahoma territory, but self-inflicted wounds and red-zone stalls condemned the Lobos to a agonizing 14-6 loss against the 24th-ranked Sooners. Gone are the days when UNM settled for moral victories; inside the locker room, this was a squandered opportunity against an SEC power they dominated for long stretches. From dropped passes and crucial penalties to six brutal sacks, the offense repeatedly got in its own way, proving that on a night built for a program-defining upset, the only team capable of stopping the Lobos was themselves.

The Pit Press staff predictions ahead of the New Mexico and Oklahoma matchup on 9/19/26 in Norman, OK.

They are 22.5-point underdogs stepping into a historic powerhouse's backyard, but Jason Eck and the New Mexico Lobos aren't heading to Norman just to take photos. Riding an 11-4 stretch, boasting the nation's third-ranked total defense, and armed with the quiet confidence of past giant-killings, UNM travels to face No. 24 Oklahoma believing in the impossible. They’ll need near-flawless execution and a few big breaks to pull off the biggest signature road win in program history - so you’re telling us there’s a chance?

Riding the high of a 91-year record home win streak and a 70-7 dismantling of Mercyhurst, the New Mexico Lobos are trading fast food for fine dining as they head east to face No. 24 Oklahoma. Head coach Jason Eck knows stepping up to the SEC’s "nicest steak house" brings the risk of getting embarrassed, but the Lobos hold a few high-stakes ingredients for an unprecedented upset. To shock the Sooners, UNM must overcome early passing slumps, rely on their nation-leading takeaway defense, and leverage freshman sensation Marco Beltran Jr.’s explosive punt returns to flip the field.

One month into the 2026 New Mexico high school football season, the landscape is shifting fast as colder nights set in and district battles begin. From Cleveland and La Cueva’s long-awaited 6A clash at Wilson Stadium to high-flying surges by Sandia and Volcano Vista, the state’s top classification is delivering plenty of high-stakes drama. Meanwhile in 5A, perennial power Artesia snaps an unusual skid to open district play with authority, Roswell solidifies its role as a giant killer, and newcomers Los Lunas and Cibola make early moves. Here is the full breakdown of where things stand after four weeks of action.

From humiliating FCS upsets to statement road victories, the Mountain West turned into absolute chaos last weekend. While conference newcomers North Dakota State continued their dominant FBS transition by dismantling Air Force, stalwarts like UNLV hit an unexpected brick wall, and two other programs suffered embarrassing home drops to lower-subdivision foes. But amidst the wreckage, a few programs took care of business, racked up record-setting blowouts, and found their footing.

Here are the top five takeaways from a wild, unraveling week of Mountain West college football with Colton Pool.

Despite opening the season with a dominant 108-14 combined margin over Central Michigan and Mercyhurst, the University of New Mexico football team faces a critical reality check heading into next week's matchup against Oklahoma. Head coach Jason Eck’s squad demonstrated explosive potential in Saturday’s 70-7 blowout - highlighted by a school-record 42-point second quarter and a suffocating defense, yet lingering inconsistencies in passing precision, secondary pursuit, and special teams penalties remain. To transform early-season momentum into a legitimate threat against a higher-tier opponent, the Lobos must clean up the details and prove their potential holds up out of their current weight class.

For Head Coach Jason Eck, Saturday isn't just about padding the win column; it's an exercise in execution, depth, and staying healthy. With key starters nursing injuries and a looming marquee matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma, the Lobos must put away the Lakers early, clear the bench, and avoid unnecessary drama. If UNM wants to keep its ambitious postseason aspirations alive, they need to take care of business swift and early, because looking past Mercyhurst is a gamble New Mexico simply cannot afford.

Suffocate, throttle, or dominate—pick your verb, because New Mexico’s defense executed them all on Saturday night.

In front of 24,126 fans, their largest home-opening crowd since 2014, the Lobos dismantled Central Michigan 38-7 to secure their most decisive season-opening victory against an FBS opponent in 42 years. Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky’s unit delivered a masterclass in relentless execution, holding the Chippewas without a single first down for nearly the entire first half and surrendering just three yards across CMU's opening 12 plays.

Week 1 in the Mountain West didn’t just nudge preseason storylines off course—it blew them to pieces.

From New Mexico’s dominant, defensive masterclass, to North Dakota State proving its FBS transition is built for immediate contention, the opening slate brought absolute chaos to the league. Add in UNLV’s crucial, defense-led rebound, Hawaii’s frustrating slow start, and a statement blowout from a hyper-physical Nevada squad, and the hierarchy of the conference has already been reshuffled.

Here are Colton Pool’s top five takeaways from a wildly unpredictable opening week in Mountain West college football.

Forget the old playbook. While past coaches preached that rebuilding UNM football was a slow, agonizing marathon, Jason Eck is treating it like a high-octane drag race. With a dominant 38-7 dismantling of Central Michigan, Eck became the fastest head coach in Lobo history to reach 10 victories - stretching UNM’s home winning streak to an unprecedented eight games while unleashing a versatile three-quarterback attack that has Albuquerque buzzing. The Eck era isn't just resetting expectations - it’s proving that New Mexico has finally found its football unicorn.

With unprecedented hype, a 10-win benchmark, and playoff dreams floating through Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico enters 2026 under a whole new kind of pressure. But as the 10.5-point favorite Lobos prepare to host Central Michigan for Saturday’s opener, head coach Jason Eck is pumping the brakes on any overconfidence. For a program unaccustomed to the burden of high expectations, looking past a bowl-tested Chippewas squad could turn a night of celebration into a costly trap.

If Week 1 is any indication, Class 5A is set to deliver pure, unadulterated high school football theater all autumn long. From Roswell and Hobbs setting the scoreboard ablaze in a 124-point track meet to Carlsbad marching into the legendary Bulldog Bowl and holding off a desperate second-half surge, New Mexico’s mid-tier classification kicked off with a explosive statement. Dynamic individual performances dominated the headlines - whether it was Roswell signal-caller Andruw Fuentez putting up video-game numbers with an eight-touchdown masterclass, or Los Lunas playmaker Tayson Gaxiola taking over the Field of Dreams single-handedly. The early-season optimism has given way to cold, hard film: here is what Week 1 taught us about the real contenders, stock shifts, and power rankings shaping 5A.

Friday night under the lights provided all the drama, but the real picture emerges when the dust settles. Week 1 of New Mexico 6A football saw statement performances, dominant debuts, and defensive masterclasses across the state. Junior quarterback Michael Denison made a splash in his varsity debut to keep powerhouse Cleveland atop the mountain, while dynamic offensive displays from La Cueva and Volcano Vista sent clear warnings to the rest of the class. Meanwhile, physical defensive efforts from Las Cruces and high-octane transfer energy at Sandia moved the needle in a big way.

The season is officially underway, and The Pit Press Power Rankings Index is here to break down the film, quantify the momentum, and separate the true contenders from the pre-season noise.

From Centennial's explosive Ruiz Laborin–Dailen Ramirez tandem looking to run through the district, to a reloaded Sandia offense featuring a star-studded receiving corps under Tylon Wilder, the dark horses are loaded. Meanwhile, Eldorado lurks quietly on the horizon, anchored by junior bellcow Nolan Romero-Williams and a balanced skill group ready to blow past last year's record. With brutal Week 1 tests waiting on August 21, these three programs aren't just looking to contend, they're coming to take over Cleveland’s top spot..

Can Artesia reload after a heavy senior exodus, or is this Roswell’s year to take the crown? With powerhouse programs shifting down from 6A to crash the party, the race for November glory in 5A is more wide open than you think.

From the powerhouse in Bloomfield to hungry title contenders down south, 4A New Mexico high school football is packed with elite talent, returning playmakers, and massive class realignments. Here is the complete preview of every favorite, dark horse, and sleeper ready to make noise on the gridiron this season.