T-81 New Mexico State
2-1 in Conference USA play, T-3rd in the Conference USA
Up 38 spots (#119 to T-81) after a road win at #127 Sam Houston (30-24) in a one-score game. As expected: New Mexico State entered with 26.6 TDR points to Sam Houston's 15.8. Now 3-4. TDR score +22.3: win/loss record +5.3, road-win bonus +1.5.
2026 season recap (through week 8)
New Mexico State (Conference USA) is ranked T-81, tied with Fresno State and Michigan in The Davis Rankings after week 8 of 2026, with a record of 3-4 and a score of 48.9 out of 100. That is up 38 from week 7. That puts it in the Do We Need to Talk? tier (ranks 76-100). Its strongest factor is recent results (100.0 out of 100). Its weakest is opponent record today (37.8 out of 100).
The best win by current ranking came in week 5, 34-13 over T-70 Western Kentucky at home. The toughest result to explain is the week 6 loss, 22-3 to #111 Florida International on the road.
On the road it is 1-3. The average margin is -0.9 points per game, with a biggest win of 37 points. 1 of 7 games was decided by a touchdown or less.
New Mexico State is not ranked in the AP, Coaches, or CFP polls this week, while the Davis Rankings has it 81st.
Next up is T-32 Jacksonville State in week 9, at home. The toughest game left on the schedule by current rank is week 10 against T-11 Liberty. 1 of the 5 games left are against teams currently in the top 25.
Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Florida State (away) | L 17-34 |
| 1 | Mercyhurst (home) | W 51-14 |
| 2 | Hawai'i (away) | L 19-29 |
| 4 | New Mexico (home) | L 18-42 |
| 5 | Western Kentucky (home, conference game) | W 34-13 |
| 6 | Florida International (away, conference game) | L 3-22 |
| 8 | Sam Houston (away, conference game) | W 30-24 |
Upcoming games
| Week | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Jacksonville State (home, conference game) | |
| 10 | Liberty (home, conference game) | (ESPNU) |
| 11 | Missouri State (away, conference game) | |
| 12 | Delaware (home, conference game) | |
| 13 | Middle Tennessee (away, conference game) |
Ranking history 2026
Now #81, Do We Need to Talk? (week 8). Best #81 (week 8). Lowest #132 (week 4). Higher on the chart is a better rank. The shaded bands are rank tiers, with each tier's sticker at its left.
Week 8 TDR #81 (48.9, 3-4) Do We Need to Talk?
Week 1 TDR #89 (49.0, 1-1)
Week 2 TDR #124 (23.8, 1-2)
Week 3 TDR #129 (23.6, 1-2) Oh Crap
Week 4 TDR #132 (19.1, 1-3) Oh Crap
Week 5 TDR #87 (45.7, 2-3) Do We Need to Talk?
Week 6 TDR #123 (26.6, 2-4) Sick of It
Week 7 TDR #119 (26.6, 2-4) Sick of It
Week 8 TDR #81 (48.9, 3-4) Do We Need to Talk?
Week by week
| Week | TDR | Score | Record | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #89 | 49.0 | 1-1 | - |
| 2 | #124 | 23.8 | 1-2 | - |
| 3 | #129 | 23.6 | 1-2 | Oh Crap |
| 4 | #132 | 19.1 | 1-3 | Oh Crap |
| 5 | #87 | 45.7 | 2-3 | Do We Need to Talk? |
| 6 | #123 | 26.6 | 2-4 | Sick of It |
| 7 | #119 | 26.6 | 2-4 | Sick of It |
| 8 | #81 | 48.9 | 3-4 | Do We Need to Talk? |
Score breakdown
Each factor is scored 0–100, then weighted into the composite score. Full methodology & weights
| Factor | Score (0-100) |
|---|---|
| win/loss record | 42.9 |
| recent results | 100.0 |
| road-win bonus | 50.0 |
| opponent record at game time | 39.3 |
| opponent record today | 37.8 |
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