September 19, 2026
UTEP football is heading into one of the biggest games on its 2026 schedule.
The Miners travel to Ann Arbor today to face No. 19 Michigan at Michigan Stadium, marking the first meeting between the two programs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time, with the game airing nationally on the Big Ten Network.
For UTEP, the trip comes at an interesting point in the season.
The Miners opened the year with a difficult 51-0 loss at Oklahoma before responding with a dominant 51-10 victory over Texas Southern. Now, they face another nationally ranked opponent — this time in one of college football’s most recognizable stadiums.
A Chance to See What UTEP Has Built
The Texas Southern game gave UTEP exactly what it needed after the Oklahoma loss: a response.
The Miners scored 44 unanswered points after falling behind 10-7 and finished with 491 total yards, including 252 rushing yards.
It was UTEP’s highest-scoring game since 2016 and its most total offense in a game since 2022. The defense also held Texas Southern to just 211 total yards.
Now the challenge becomes significantly different.
Michigan enters the game 2-0 and ranked No. 19 nationally. The Wolverines opened the season with a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan before defeating No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10 last Saturday.
Michigan has allowed only 22 points through two games and is giving up 11 points per game.
This will be a major test for a UTEP offense that looked completely different in Week 2.
EJ Colson Jr. Gets Another Big Opportunity
Quarterback EJ Colson Jr. enters Michigan week coming off the best performance of his young UTEP career.
Against Texas Southern, Colson completed 14 of 21 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns. He added 49 rushing yards and another touchdown, accounting for five total touchdowns.
His night began with an 83-yard touchdown pass to Kam Thomas on UTEP’s first play from scrimmage.
Colson’s performance earned him Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Week 2 honorable mention recognition.
Michigan will present an entirely different challenge.
The Wolverines have been especially strong defensively, and UTEP head coach Scotty Walden has openly praised the unit’s speed and physicality.
For Colson, this is an opportunity to show how much he and the offense have developed since the opening-week loss at Oklahoma.
The Running Game Could Be Critical
UTEP’s rushing attack was one of the biggest positives against Texas Southern.
The Miners ran for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
Tavorus Jones led the way with 104 yards on 16 carries, while Raymond Moore III broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown run.
Moore has been particularly explosive early in the season, leading UTEP with 142 rushing yards on just 12 carries.
Against Michigan, UTEP will need to find ways to establish the run while preventing the Wolverines’ defense from completely dictating the game.
If the Miners can create some early success on the ground, it could take pressure off Colson and open opportunities in the passing game.
Michigan’s Defense Has Been the Story
Michigan has won its first two games largely because of its defense.
The Wolverines held Western Michigan to 12 points and then limited Oklahoma to 10.
Through two games, Michigan ranks 18th nationally in scoring defense and 30th in total defense, allowing 255 yards per game.
The defense features players such as defensive lineman Dom Nichols, linebacker Troy Bowles and cornerback Jyaire Hill.
Walden specifically pointed to Michigan’s defensive speed and athleticism as major differences he sees compared with Oklahoma.
That makes the line of scrimmage an important area to watch.
UTEP cannot afford to consistently lose downs behind the chains. Staying on schedule, protecting Colson and creating room for the running game will be crucial.
Bryce Underwood Leads Michigan
On the other side, UTEP’s defense will have to deal with Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Through two games, Underwood has completed 21 of 39 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown. He has also been a major factor in the Wolverines’ rushing attack.
Running back Jordan Marshall has 22 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown, while transfer wide receiver JJ Buchanan has quickly emerged as one of Underwood’s top targets with eight receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown.
UTEP’s defense will have to deal with a Michigan offense that can create problems both through the air and on the ground.
Another Opportunity for the Orange Swarm
While UTEP’s offense grabbed most of the attention against Texas Southern, the defense quietly had one of its best performances of the Walden era.
The Miners allowed only 211 yards and recorded their first interception of the season through Esteban Guillory.
Sterling Miles also recorded his first sack as a Miner, while Royce Wilson and Leander Parrish shared another sack.
The challenge today is keeping that momentum against a Michigan team that has already faced two FBS opponents.
Field position, third-down defense and limiting explosive plays could all become major factors.
A Different Kind of Game for UTEP
This isn’t just another game on the schedule.
It’s UTEP walking into Michigan Stadium for the first time.
It’s a Mountain West program facing one of the Big Ten’s most recognizable programs.
It’s a young UTEP offense trying to build on a 51-point performance against a defense that has allowed just one touchdown through two games.
And it’s a UTEP defense getting another opportunity to show how far it has come since the opening night at Oklahoma.
The Miners are 1-1.
Michigan is 2-0.
But the biggest question today isn’t simply the record.
It’s how UTEP responds when the lights get bright again.
Game Information
UTEP vs. No. 19 Michigan
Date: Saturday, September 19
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. MT
Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: 600 ESPN El Paso
Series: First meeting
After today’s matchup, UTEP returns home for its 94th Homecoming Game against Oregon State on September 26.
For UTEP, today is another chance to measure this new-look team against one of college football’s biggest programs.
The Miners have already shown they can respond.
Now, they get to show what they can do on the road in Ann Arbor.
