How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. UTEP

Game 3: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Michigan vs. UTEP | Michigan Stadium | 3:30 PM

Michigan returns to the Big House this week ranked No. 19 after a 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma. The Wolverines are 2-0, while UTEP comes to Ann Arbor at 1-1 after a loss to Oklahoma and a 51-10 win over Texas Southern.

Each week, How Do We Compare? takes Michigan's matchup beyond the scoreboard, comparing Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County with the community behind the Wolverines' opponent.

This week brings something new: Michigan and UTEP have never played each other in football.

Ann Arbor & El Paso Connections

• Research and Innovation: Both universities are major research centers for their regions. U-M reported $2.16 billion in research spending, while UTEP reported $162.3 million. UTEP's research includes areas such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, AI, and health, while U-M helps anchor Ann Arbor's strengths in mobility, life sciences, software, AI, and advanced technologies.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Manufacturing plays an important role in both regions. Ann Arbor is connected to Southeast Michigan's automotive, mobility, and advanced manufacturing industries. El Paso sits within a major cross-border manufacturing region connecting Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.
• Talent Pipelines: U-M enrolls nearly 53,000 students and UTEP more than 25,000. Together, the universities produce more than 21,000 graduates each year, creating significant talent pipelines for their respective regions.
• Very Different Communities: Ann Arbor is a university-centered city of about 122,000 people. El Paso, with more than 683,000 residents, is one of the largest cities in Texas and part of a binational region closely connected with neighboring Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

On the Field

There is no series history to compare this week. Saturday will be the first-ever meeting between Michigan and UTEP.

The programs do have very different football histories. Michigan has an all-time record of 1,023-362-36 (.732) compared with UTEP's 423-661-28 (.392). Michigan has also produced 427 NFL Draft picks, compared with 93 for UTEP.

But one early-season statistic flips the comparison: UTEP is averaging 344.5 yards of offense per game, compared with Michigan's 269.5.

Michigan, however, enters Saturday 2-0 after wins over Western Michigan and No. 11 Oklahoma, a victory that moved the Wolverines from unranked to No. 19 nationally.

Off the Field

The biggest differences show up in population, education, and cost.

El Paso is more than five times the size of Ann Arbor, with about 683,000 residents compared with 122,000. It also has a lower cost of living, with an index of 91.2 compared with 99.7 in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor stands out for educational attainment: 77.9% of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 28.1% in El Paso. Median household income is also higher in Ann Arbor, at about $82,200 compared with $59,700.

The Bigger Picture

Michigan and UTEP may be meeting for the first time on the football field, but their communities offer an interesting comparison off it.

Ann Arbor and El Paso are very different communities, each shaped by its university and regional economy. Ann Arbor stands out for its highly educated workforce, research strength, and technology-driven economy, while El Paso's size, affordability, and location support its strengths in manufacturing and international trade.

Different places, different strengths, and this Saturday, a brand-new football matchup.

Go Blue!

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