I know the monkeys at the F&G try to put partners together on the same ranch, but it all depends on the number of tags alloted to a specific ranch. If they assign you to one, and it's the last available slot on that ranch, your buddy will get kicked to another ranch. I think the generally try to keep you close together, but that could be 20 miles or more on some of the larger ranches. 20 miles apart with only one truck would be a major PITA, if you know what I mean. It's all part of the risk I guess. I don't even know what non-resident odds are, but they can't be good. I'd throw in and see what happens. Chances are you won't get drawn anyway, so there's nothing to worry about.
Good luck. I'll be putting in too, but after about 8 years of no tag, I'm not expecting much.