Bowl-eligible Lobos earn historic first AP Top 25 ranking

New Mexico is officially No. 22 in the AP poll, the first Top 25 ranking in program history; no other Mountain West team is ranked. The Lobos are 7–1 and 4–0 in conference play, but ESPN FPI’s 20.3% CFP chance and Boise State’s stronger Group of Six position leave their playoff path uncertain; bowl destinations also remain unsettled.