College Football

'College GameDay' to Albuquerque? How realistic is NDSU-New Mexico appearance

October 8, 2026

ESPN’s *College GameDay* could make its first Mountain West Conference appearance in years if North Dakota State and New Mexico deliver compelling storylines in their Oct. 10 showdown at Allegiant Stadium.

The Bison, in their inaugural FBS season, have already stunned with a 5-0 record and dominant wins in their first two Mountain West games, outscoring opponents 59-10. Meanwhile, New Mexico—led by coach Jason Eck—has a 4-1 start, including a lone loss to Oklahoma, and would host the show for the first time in Albuquerque if selected.

The last non-Power Four stop for *GameDay* was in November 2023, when it visited James Madison in Virginia for an overtime thriller against Appalachian State. North Dakota State, though, has experience with the show’s spotlight, having hosted it twice in Fargo and appeared on-site in South Dakota for the 2019 Dakota Marker game.

With a lighter Week 8 schedule, the stage is set for a potential historic visit—if the Lobos and Bison keep winning and deliver the right narrative.