UTEP Pushes to Restore NMSU Rivalry While Eyeing UNM Matchup

What happened: UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said the Miners are “fighting” to get New Mexico State back on the schedule, according to Yahoo Sports. Speaking in Las Vegas, Walden also made clear he is eager to rekindle UTEP’s rivalry with New Mexico.

Watch the highlights:

Why it matters: Rivalry scheduling is not cosmetic in college football. It shapes local interest, travel demand, recruiting energy, and the emotional weight of a season. Walden’s comment matters because it confirms UTEP is not treating the New Mexico State series as a disposable nonconference slot. The Battle of I-10 still carries enough heat inside the program that the coach is publicly pushing for its return.

What changed: The source does not say a game has been scheduled, and that distinction matters. UTEP’s position is interest and effort, not a completed agreement. Walden’s phrasing, especially “fighting,” suggests the rivalry’s return may depend on scheduling logistics, conference obligations, or administrative alignment that are not detailed in the report. Fans should read this as momentum, not confirmation.

Rivalry context: Walden said that in 14 years of coaching, he has been around plenty of rivalries, but his first Battle of I-10 experience still surprised him. He specifically said he did not realize “how bitter it is.” That is a useful detail because it shows the rivalry’s intensity was not just inherited as branding. It made an impression on the coach once he experienced it from inside the program.

Tournament impact: For UTEP’s football calendar, getting New Mexico State and New Mexico back into the picture would sharpen the schedule’s stakes even before conference play is considered. Rivalry games can change how a season is judged. A win can stabilize belief; a loss can linger beyond the standings. The source does not provide dates, contract terms, or future schedule slots, so the competitive implication is limited to what is confirmed: UTEP wants these regional games to matter again.

What to watch: The next meaningful development would be a formal schedule announcement, not another expression of interest. Until then, the practical questions remain open: which season could fit, whether the game would be home-and-home, and how UTEP balances rivalry value against broader scheduling needs.

Confidence: Confirmed by Yahoo Sports: Walden said UTEP is fighting to get New Mexico State back on the schedule and is eager to rekindle the New Mexico rivalry. Still needing follow-up: any finalized dates, venues, contract terms, or confirmation from the other schools.