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An Early Look at Non-Conference Opponent: New Mexico
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- An Early Look at Non-Conference Opponent: New Mexico
An Early Look at Non-Conference Opponent: New Mexico
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The average football fan would think facing off against New Mexico is a cakewalk, but not this program. In Jason Eck's first season as the Lobos' head coach in 2025, they earned their first winning season since 2016. New Mexico just missed out on the Mountain West Championship Game due to a four-way tie for first place in the 2025 standings. Boise State and UNLV won the tiebreaker over San Diego State and New Mexico.
New Mexico Quick Outlook:
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Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Stadium: University Stadium
Head Coach: Jason Eck, 2nd season (26-13 HC record from 2022-2024 at Idaho)
Conference Championships: 4 (1938 in the Border Conference/ 1962, 1963 and 1964 in the WAC)
2025 Record: 9-4 (6-2 in Mountain West)
The Lobos are high on everyone's list. Athlon has New Mexico second in their preseason Mountain West predictions and Phil Steele has the Lobos at the top of his list. Along with Eck as head coach, Luke Schleusner begins his second season as New Mexico's offensive coordinator. Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky will also be in his second season with the program.
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Players to Watch:
Troy Omeire, WR Senior (6-5, 226): Omeire, a transfer from UNLV, earned preseason All-Mountain West honors for 2026. This will be his seventh season in college football due to his injuries in 2020 and 2021, giving him a double medical redshirt. He brings a lot of promise to the Lobos offense with his height and ability of making contested receptions. In the 2025 season with UNLV, Omeire hauled in 31 receptions for 514 yards (16.6 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. After the graduation of Lobos' top receiver Keegan Johnson from last year, expect Omeire to be quarterback Jack Layne's number one target.
Malik Aliane, OL Senior (6-2, 320): Aliane also earned preseason 2026 All-Mountain West honors and could be the biggest factor to New Mexico winning its first conference title since 1964. He has been with the program since 2024 and has spent most of his collegiate career competing in the Mountain West. He did not learn to play football until high school, where he played for the LR Leopards de Rouen in France. Along with Aliane, this is a veteran offensive line room Oklahoma needs to be ready for.
Jaxton Eck, LB Senior (6-1, 228): Jaxton, the son of New Mexico head coach Jason Eck, is another preseason All-Mountain West selection. He was also selected First Team All-Mountain West in 2025 and was Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Mountain West. He led New Mexico in tackles last season with 128 total tackles and led the team with 65 solo tackles. In his sophomore season with Idaho, he helped lead the Vandals to the FCS Quarterfinals and recorded 134 total tackles. If you're the Oklahoma Sooners, Eck is the top guy the offensive line needs to keep an eye on. If Xavier Robinson can stay healthy and the Oklahoma receiving core can mesh well together, it will be a nightmare for Jaxton along with the rest of the New Mexico linebacker room.
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The Lobos will be in Norman on Saturday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 2-0 with both wins coming in shutout fashion. The Sooners defeated the Lobos 47-0 in 1930 and 25-0 in 1935.
