North Texas and San Diego State are set to face off in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl on Saturday at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As bowl season continues across the college football landscape, roster availability once again plays a key role in shaping expectations for non-College Football Playoff matchups.
With transfer portal activity accelerating in December, opt-outs and late roster changes remain an important storyline heading into kickoff. While this game has not been significantly impacted compared to other bowl matchups, there are a handful of confirmed absences worth monitoring as both programs prepare for their postseason meeting.
Which Players Are Opting Out or Injured Ahead of the New Mexico Bowl?
North Texas Mean Green
North Texas enters the New Mexico Bowl with limited roster disruption. One defensive contributor has opted out due to the transfer portal, but the Mean Green are otherwise expected to have most of their core rotation available.
- Jayden Williams (DT) – Transfer Portal
San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State has also seen minimal opt-out activity ahead of the bowl. Both confirmed absences come from the defensive front and are tied to transfer portal decisions rather than injuries.
- Jared Badie (EDGE) – Transfer Portal
- August Salvati (EDGE) – Transfer Portal
Overall, neither team has been heavily affected by opt-outs, allowing this matchup to remain largely intact from a roster perspective heading into kickoff.
How to Watch North Texas vs. San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl
The New Mexico Bowl between North Texas and San Diego State will air nationally on ESPN, giving fans a nationally televised window into the postseason matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. ET, with the game taking place at University Stadium in Albuquerque.
Viewers looking to stream the game can do so through the ESPN app or ESPN’s official website by logging in with a valid television subscription. In addition to the national broadcast, radio coverage will be available through each program’s local affiliates for fans following the game regionally.
North Texas enters the bowl with one of the more explosive offenses, while San Diego State leans on a defense-first identity that has kept the Aztecs competitive throughout the season. With minimal opt-outs on both sides, the matchup of contrasting styles would be worth witnessing.
Early projections slightly favor North Texas, but San Diego State’s defensive consistency suggests a competitive contest that could remain close well into the second half.
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