The anticipation for the upcoming college football season is honestly hard to ignore, especially if you’re a University of New Mexico Lobos fan. With a new athletic year on deck and the Mountain West Conference trying to claw back some respect, the stakes feel higher than ever.
Every team’s got its own hopes and hype, but for the Lobos, it’s pretty simple: they want to prove they deserve a spot at the top. Let’s talk storylines, players to keep an eye on (hello, Farmington High alum Mikey Beck), and what’s really going on with the Mountain West this year.
UNM Lobos: Rising to the Challenge
The Lobos are coming off a solid 2025 season, wrapping up with a 9-4 record under their second-year head coach, Jason Eck. They’re hoping to ride that momentum into 2026 with some new faces and, according to Sports Illustrated, a schedule that’s the 29th easiest in the country.
With conference title dreams and bowl game ambitions, expectations are, well, not exactly low. There’s a sense that this could be a big year.
Key Players and New Additions
There’s been some real movement on the roster. Former Boise State linebacker Clay Martineau and wide receiver Troy Omeire (who’s coming over from UNLV) are two names that jump out.
Returning talent mixes in with these transfers, giving the Lobos a pretty deep lineup. And then there’s Mikey Beck, the Farmington High standout, who’s officially on the roster for the upcoming season.
Beck’s high school numbers? Wild: 158 catches, over 2,600 yards, and 36 touchdowns. Not bad at all.
2026 Season Schedule
Here’s what the Lobos are up against this fall:
- Sept. 5 vs. Central Michigan, 8 p.m.
- Sept. 12 vs. Mercyhurst, TBA
- Sept. 19 at Oklahoma, 5:30 p.m.
- Sept. 26 at New Mexico State, 1:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3 vs. UTEP, TBA
- Oct. 17 at Hawaii, TBA
- Oct. 24 vs. North Dakota State, 8 p.m.
- Oct. 31 at San Jose State, TBA
- Nov. 6 at Nevada, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 14 vs. UNLV, 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 20 at Wyoming, 7 p.m.
- Nov. 27 vs. Air Force, 2:30 p.m.
Mountain West Conference: Teams to Watch
The Mountain West is out to fix its image, and there are a few teams that could shake things up. Here’s a quick look at who might actually make some noise and chase a conference title or a bowl game.
UNLV Rebels
The UNLV Rebels, despite losing a few key players, still look like a solid pick for a bowl game. They’ve pulled together a decent recruiting and transfer class, sitting at No. 68 in the country with 47 commits.
Former Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold is a big addition. If the Rebels can survive a tough opening stretch and come out 2-4, they’ve got a real shot at a bowl.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Hawaii had a great 2025, going 9-4 and taking home the Hawaii Bowl trophy. Their 2026 recruiting class is ranked just No. 124, which isn’t exactly inspiring, but don’t count them out yet.
Games against Stanford and UNLV will probably decide if they get to a bowl again. It’s a bit of a wait-and-see situation.
All-Mountain West Team Selections
Athlon Sports just dropped its preseason All-Mountain West team, and the Lobos showed up in a big way—17 selections, which is second-most in the league. They even led with seven first-team picks, including:
- Running back Scottre Humphrey
- Receiver Troy Omeire
- Tight end Cade Keith
- Center Kaden Robnett
- Defensive lineman Darren Agu
- Linebacker Jaxton Eck
- Safety Austin Brawley
Phil Steele’s preseason teams came out earlier in June, and the Lobos had the most All-Mountain West team members at 16. Not a bad way to start the season, right?
High Expectations for the Lobos
The University of New Mexico Lobos are heading into the 2026 season with a lot of buzz around them. Their roster looks deeper than it has in years, which is honestly refreshing.
Some key transfers have joined the mix, and local standout Mikey Beck is starting to turn heads. That kind of homegrown talent? Always exciting to watch.
The schedule this year seems pretty favorable, at least on paper. Head coach Jason Eck brings a steady hand and a reputation for strong leadership, which should help keep the team focused.
If you’re curious for more updates, check out the full article on the Tri-City Record.
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