NEWS
New Mexico Football: Coach Nowinsky’s defense is turning heads and Power Four programs may be watching
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.
New Mexico Football vs. Oklahoma: For the First Time, Lobos Beat the Lobos
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.
Staff Predictions for New Mexico Lobos vs. Oklahoma Sooners
The Pit Press staff predictions ahead of the New Mexico and Oklahoma matchup on 9/19/26 in Norman, OK.
Monumental Upset vs. Oklahoma in the Air for New Mexico Football? Dumb and Dumber Things Have Happened
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?
Tuesday’s Edge: Lobos’ key ingredients against Oklahoma are revealed after dominating Mercyhurst
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.