Mountain West Roundup: Week 4
Air Force – at Utah State (L 42-32)
The Falcons made it much closer than Aggie fans were probably comfortable with, but the limitations of the triple-option proved too much for a comeback to be fully completed. Still, AF proved themselves capable against a more-than-competent team. Air Force should be well built to battle with Colorado State, Wyoming, and New Mexico. A top-3 finish in the Mountain Division is certainly on the table for the Falcons.
Colorado State – vs Illinois State (L 35-19)
Oh dear.
Illinois State went 6-5 last season, without playing any FBS opponent. They are a solid program by FCS standards, but this wasn’t a fluke that the Rams can simply brush off. This is a bad, bad loss for Colorado State (and for anyone that voted CSU to finish third in the Mountain Division), and it calls into major question how they’ll compete with the rest of the MW. The Rams are making a claim as the worst team in the division. After the past few years, that might be the most shocking development in the conference.
Hawaii wide receiver JoJo Ward (19) stiff arms Duquesne defensive back Daquan Worley (4) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii – vs Duquesne (W 42-21)
Good job by the Rainbow Warriors to win this by a large enough amount that few people would look into it. Hawaii trailed 14-0 deep into the first quarter against a team that lost at UMass 63-15. Coming back to win might put Hawaii a few steps above Colorado State, but it doesn’t do much more than that. None of the Warriors’ wins look as impressive after the fact, and this week wasn’t even impressive as it happened. Hawaii has distanced itself from the likes of San Jose State, Nevada, and maybe even UNLV. They may have also distanced themselves from Fresno State and SDSU, but in the wrong direction.
Nevada – at Toledo (L 63-44)
The Wolf Pack needed to win this game if a bowl invite was anywhere in their goals for the season. Take a look at Nevada’s next five games: at Air Force, vs Fresno State, vs Boise State, at Hawaii, at San Diego State. It’s tough to see the Wolf Pack winning any of those games, which would leave them at 2-7 heading into the final three games of the regular season. In short, Saturday’s loss drastically lowered Nevada’s ceiling for this season. But if you allow over nine yards per pass attempt and five yards per rush, that’s going to be your reality.
San Diego State – vs Eastern Michigan (W 23-20 OT)
It’s a win, but it does nothing to inspire anyone to think the Aztecs can hold off Fresno State for a division title or compete with Boise State in a theoretical title matchup. After defeating Arizona State on the road last week, you can argue that this was a “trap” game and that SDSU did well to at least survive. But the Aztecs are running out of excuses, and time. Next up is a trip to Boise State on October 6th.
Arkansas State punter Cody Grace (41) handles the ball as UNLV defensive back Jericho Flowers (7) closes in for a tackle during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, Jonesboro, Ark. (Jacob Wiegand/The Jonesboro Sun via AP)
UNLV – at Arkansas State (L 27-20)
This really was not a good week for the Mountain West. Losing to the Red Wolves isn’t all that bad. Arkansas State has gone 62-32 since 2011, and that includes multiple victories over teams ranked in the Top 25. More, it’s how UNLV lost this game that stings. Going down 27-20 near the start of the fourth quarter, the Rebels had three opportunities to even the score. Those three drives ended in a 3-and-out, and interception, and on downs. They gained a total of 16 yards combined. QB Armani Rogers went 5 of 21 for a grand total of 23 passing yards. The Rebels’ rushing game is one of the MW’s strongest. There is nothing else for opponents to worry about, though.
BYE: Boise State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Fresno State, San Jose State