The UTEP Miners get another long-shot chance at history when they travel to No. 19 Michigan’s famous Big House as 35 1/2-point underdogs, seeking the biggest upset in program history.
The Mines get there in the most predictable 1-1 record imaginable: a blowout loss to No. 10 Oklahoma and a blowout win against Texas Southern of the FCS. Michigan, meanwhile, survived a controversial Week 1 Hail Mary win against Western Michigan before suffering a home upset at the hands of the same Oklahoma team that beat UTEP.
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More: UTEP seeks answers, redemption with Michigan’s Big House test
UTEP’s Leander Parrish celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
The 107,601-seat Michigan Stadium (the Big House) is sold out, so this should be the biggest crowd in history to see the Miners.
More: Analysis: UTEP blowout TSU win leaves Michigan-sized questions
UTEP Miners
Where: El Paso
2026 Record: 1-1
Streak: Won 1
Coach: Scotty Walden, third season (6-20 at UTEP, 40-40 career)
Total offense: 344.5 yards per game (107th)
Total defense: 306.0 yards per game (60th)
UTEP offense
Once UTEP finally got untracked against Texas Southern of the FBS, the tempo offense looked like it was always supposed to. Quarterback EJ Colson moved the ball with both his arm and his legs; Tavorus Jones found running room behind an offensive line that took over in the run game and crested 100 yards; and Kam Thomas, Cash, and Carver Cheeks hauled in passes and moved the chains.
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UTEP looked like a team that would be elite in the SWAC. So how does that stack up against a Big Ten top-25 team? Once again, this looks like a supreme challenge for the Miners. The offensive line wasn’t completely obliterated at Oklahoma and Michigan’s front is comparable.
The Miners will need to find some success on the ground early, whether from Colson or Jones, to open up the passing and establish the tempo UTEP needs.
UTEP defense
For the first five and a half quarter, the group that is supposed to lead this team looked lost. That changed completely over the course of seven Texas Southern possessions without a first down, but again, what does that mean against Michigan?
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UTEP’s tackling improved, and they got plays from all three levels while forcing two turnovers; now the Miners need to carry that over to a much higher bar.
Safety Xavier Smith is off to a strong start to the season, while linebacker Garrett Hawkins began to emerge in Week 2. UTEP had just one sack against Texas Southern and needs more push from a defensive line the Miners can trust.
UTEP special teams
This was a definite bright spot against Texas Southern, as until a late missed extra point, the Miners were just about flawless after the terrible opener against Oklahoma. Carlos Arreola did miss his final extra point with UTEP up 51-10, but made a medium-range field goal, six of his seven extra points and had touchbacks n five of eight kickoffs.
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Brady Braun was fine at punter and UTEP’s coverage units were excellent. The Miners will need a big play from this unit (there really haven’t been any in two games) to make the Michigan game watchable.
UTEP’s Xavier Smith and Adarius Hutchinson celebrate during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
UTEP players to watch
Quarterback EJ Colson. Everything will start with Colson as long as he’s healthy, and he comes in with some momentum after the big game against Texas Southern. Colson is expected to run the ball a lot this game, as he did against Oklahoma, and keeping him healthy becomes a huge priority.
Running back Tavorus Jones. The Burges alum Jones lived up to the hype against Texas Southern, running with patience and vision behind an offensive line that gave him some room to run. That’s going to be harder to find against Michigan; if Jones has some space, UTEP will take the first step to extending this game into the second half.
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Linebacker Shay Smith. The quarterback-turned-linebacker recovered a fumble against Texas Southern and that may serve as a breakout. After the opener against Oklahoma, Walden said he told the staff Smith needed to be on the field more. He’s still listed as a backup, but he’s snaps are approaching starter level.
Key stats
66.75. UTEP’s net punting yards on eight punts this year. The Miners rank 134th nationally out of 138 teams, which is actually three spots higher than a week ago.
0-56. UTEP’s record against power-conference opponents (schools from the SEC, Big Ten, Big XII, or ACC) dating back to 1967. That’s immediately after they beat Ole Miss in the Sun Bowl, before the power-conference label was routinely applied.
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16. UTEP’s national rank in fewest penalties, and it is tied for first in the Mountain West. UTEP has been flagged eight times in two games for 81 yards.
More: Michigan football trending for several top 2028 recruits after big win
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cornerback Smith Snowden (3) gestures to the crowds during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Where: Ann Arbor
2026 Record: 2-0
Streak: Won 2
Coach: Kyle Wittingham, first season (2-0 at Michigan, 179-88 career)
Total offense: 269.5 yards per game (131st)
Total defense: 255.0 yards per game (30th)
Michigan offense
The Michigan Wolverines offense has been run-heavy, looking to unlock its passing potential under first-year head coach Kyle Whittingham, as the power spread offense averages 15.0 points per game and 269.5 total yards.
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The engine of the offense is sophomore dual-threat quarterback Bryce Underwood, who carried the team to a 17-10 upset over Oklahoma by rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. However, the drop-back passing element remains a work in progress; Underwood threw for only 111 yards against the Sooners, and the team currently ranks 127th nationally in passing offense.
Running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter combined for 38 yards on the ground last week. Look for Michigan to establish a downhill running game early.
Michigan defense
Operating primarily out of a 4–2–5 base package in the first year of a new system, the Wolverines’ defensive front has overwhelmed opponents at the line of scrimmage while establishing itself among the nation’s elite. Last week, this group dictated the tempo of the game in a 17-10 upset over Oklahoma. The defensive line is anchored by senior defensive tackle Trey Pierce and a pass-rushing rotation that includes Dominic Nichols, John Henry Daley, and freshman standout Nate Marshall.
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More: Michigan special teams coach assesses early issues, major bright spot
Michigan special teams
The star of the Wolverines’ special teams are their kickers: punter Cam Brown, a transfer from UNLV who has averaged 43.4 yards per punt and twice pinned Oklahoma at the 1-yard line last week, and kicker Trey Butkowski, a Pitt transfer who is a Lou Groza Award watch list member who has made his only field goal attempt this year.
The Wolverines have had penalty issues on special teams and have a turnover, so fixing that will be a priority this game.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) walks up the tunnel after his team’s defeat of Oklahoma at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
Michigan players to watch
Quarterback Bryce Underwood. Underwood’s legs sparked the victory over Oklahoma as he rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown. His task this week will be to get the passing game untracked, as he threw for 111 yards against Oklahoma a week after throwing an interception against Western Michigan. Michigan may see the UTEP defense as a unit where they can work on their passing game.
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Defensive end John Henry Daley. The transfer from Utah had 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season, making him one of the most coveted transfers in the portal. The projected first-round NFL draft pick has three tackles for loss and a sack in the first two games.
Linebacker Troy Bowles. The linebacker was a question mark entering the season, but Bowles has helped make him a strength, with a team-leading 21 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in the first two games for a defense among the nation’s best.
Key stats
11-1. Michigan’s record against the Mountain West. The Wolverines’ only conference loss came to their current coach, Wittingham, when he was at Utah in 2008. They are 12-0 all-time against the current lineup of Mountain West teams, though this is their first meeting against UTEP
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1,023. Michigan’s all-time win total in 147 years of college football leads the nation.
107,601. The seating capacity of Michigan Stadium, commonly known as the Big House. It is the third-largest stadium in the world and the largest football stadium in America. It is sold out, so this will be the biggest crowd UTEP football has ever played in front of.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP, 0-56 vs. power teams, chases history at Michigan: Matchup info
