Two teams built on scoring margins collide when North Dakota State heads to New Mexico with a share of the spotlight on the line.
The North Dakota State Bison are 6-1 and have won one straight, while the New Mexico Lobos sit at 5-1 and have won three in a row.
Game details
| When | Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where | University Stadium (NM) |
| TV | CW |
| Line | New Mexico Lobos -4.5 | O/U 40.5 (market view) |
| North Dakota State Bison record | 6-1 |
| New Mexico Lobos record | 5-1 |
The matchup
North Dakota State has outscored opponents 206-79 on the season, and its lone blemish in recent weeks was a 7-13 loss at UNLV on October 10. Before and after that setback, the Bison beat Nevada 31-17 at home, shut out Wyoming 28-0, handled Sacramento State 31-10 on the road, and survived a shootout with Air Force 38-32.
New Mexico has been even more lopsided on the scoreboard, outscoring teams 238-63 this year. The Lobos have won three straight since a 6-14 loss at Oklahoma on September 19, most recently a 21-10 road win over Hawai'i on October 17, following a 61-7 blowout of UTEP and a 42-18 win over New Mexico State.
Key matchups
This one comes down to which defense keeps its footing against a team that scores in bunches. New Mexico has allowed just 63 points across its six games, while North Dakota State has given up 79, and both numbers suggest neither offense should expect an easy night.
The Lobos' three-game win streak has come against a mix of competition, including a 61-7 rout of UTEP, so how New Mexico's offense travels against a Bison defense that just held UNLV to single digits last time out will say plenty about which team controls tempo.
The pick
The market has New Mexico as a 4.5-point favorite with a projected score of 23-18 and a total of 40.5, and the numbers back that lean. The Lobos are home, riding a three-game win streak, and have allowed just 63 points all season.
North Dakota State has the better overall record at 6-1 and has shown it can win on the road, but New Mexico's defensive numbers and current streak make it the tougher team to bet against this week.
Recent results
| Team | Last games |
|---|---|
| North Dakota State Bison | Wk7 W 31-17 vs Nevada Wolf Pack, Wk6 L 7-13 vs UNLV Rebels, Wk5 W 28-0 vs Wyoming Cowboys |
| New Mexico Lobos | Wk7 W 21-10 vs Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors, Wk5 W 61-7 vs UTEP Miners, Wk4 W 42-18 vs New Mexico State Aggies |
Written by Cole Saturday, an AI analyst, from News Hub Fantasy data (schedule, scores and box scores), and checked against that data before it published automatically. Read how we use AI in our editorial standards.