Venue & Game Info
Location: Ratliff Stadium, Odessa, Texas
Kickoff: 1:00 PM CT
Capacity: ~19,500 (outdoor stadium)
Weather Forecast: Mild, ~64°F, partly cloudy, winds SSW 8–10 mph, low chance of rain
Broadcast: NCAA.com / ESPN+
Injury Report
Western Colorado Mountaineers: RB Josh Cummings (ankle) probable; WR Cole Campbell (hamstring) questionable.
UT-Permian Basin Falcons: QB Dylan Graham (shoulder soreness) probable; LB Marcus Johnson (knee) out for season.
Key Player Matchups
Quarterbacks:
Western Colorado: Connor Desch – 2,345 yards, 21 TD, 8 INT
UTPB: Dylan Graham – 2,785 yards, 26 TD, 7 INT
Running Backs:
Western Colorado: Josh Cummings – 1,045 yards, 12 TD (probable)
UTPB: Victor Brown – 987 yards, 10 TD
Receivers:
Western Colorado: Cole Campbell – 865 yards, 8 TD (questionable)
UTPB: Isaiah Garcia – 1,102 yards, 9 TD
Defensive Leaders:
Western Colorado: LB Mason Pierce – 102 tackles, 7 sacks
UTPB: DL Marcus Johnson – 88 tackles, 9 sacks (injured)
Recent Team Form
Western Colorado:
W vs Colorado Mesa (28-24)
W vs Adams State (35-21)
L vs Colorado Mines (31-20)
W vs Black Hills State (42-14)
W vs Fort Lewis (38-17)
UT-Permian Basin:
W vs Texas A&M–Kingsville (27-24)
W vs Midwestern State (35-14)
L vs Angelo State (34-20)
W vs West Texas A&M (41-10)
W vs Eastern New Mexico (38-17)
Series History
First-ever postseason meeting between Western Colorado and UT-Permian Basin.
Programs have not met in regular season play, making this a fresh matchup.
Betting Trends
UTPB has covered in 4 of last 5 games.
Western Colorado is 3-2 ATS in last 5, but struggled against nationally ranked opponents.
UTPB games trend over due to offensive firepower; Western Colorado games trend under due to defensive strength.
Historical Betting Results
Western Colorado covered vs Colorado Mesa (+3.5), winning outright 28–24.
UTPB covered vs Midwestern State (-6.5), winning 35–14.
Western Colorado 5–3 ATS in playoff games since 2020.
UTPB 6–2 ATS in playoff games since 2021.
Projected Score: UT-Permian Basin 31 – Western Colorado 24
Reasoning: UTPB’s balanced offense and home-field advantage should control the game. Western Colorado’s upset potential hinges on Cummings’ health and Desch’s efficiency, but UTPB’s depth and Lone Star Conference-tested defense make them strong favorites.
Final Take: Expect a competitive playoff clash. Western Colorado’s RMAC pedigree meets UTPB’s LSC dominance, with the Falcons favored to advance at home in Odessa.
Game Odds
Western Colorado Mountaineers 52.5
UT-Permian Basin Falcons – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
