Football fans in the Southwest will miss the annual spectacle of the Battle of I-10 in 2026 as the storied rivalry between UTEP and New Mexico State takes a temporary seat on the bench. This break in tradition was confirmed by officials from both universities, who spoke on the condition of anonymity with KTSM. KTSM reports that the pause in the rivalry is due to scheduling conflicts, marking 2026 as the year without the historic match-up.
UTEP's move to the Mountain West Conference is at the heart of this scheduling shuffle. According to a representative from the university, "UTEP would become a non-conference opponent for us beginning with the 2026-27 athletic year," as per KFOX-TV, which leaves little room, as it turns out, for traditions when their non-conference schedule is already full. KFOX-TV's article suggests that the continuation of the rivalry is contingent upon mutual interest from NMSU.
The Battle of I-10 has been a staple in the college football calendar since 1914, with the two teams facing off 104 times. The El Paso Times reminisces about this century-old rivalry, noting the last gap year in 2020 when the NMSU program was put on hold due to COVID. Before that, the only other interruption had been back in 2003. Both schools are eager to bring back the tradition and are actively working toward finding a date in 2027 to reignite this competitive spirit, with the exact details yet to be pinned down. The El Paso Times reports on the strong legacy that prompts anticipation for its return.
