Mountain West Conference Roundup – Week 2

Welcome to the weekly Mountain West Roundup, where we look at every conference team’s weekend and what it may mean for Utah State. Wonder what Colorado State losing to New Mexico means or if the rivalry between Nevada and UNLV has any implication for the Aggies? You can find out here.

Air Force – at FAU (L 33-27)

Air Force’s first test of the season was an encouraging one for the Falcons. FAU went 11-3 last season and should be the favorite to win the C-USA title this season. That Air Force hung with them on the road down to the final minutes bodes well for the remainder of the season. With two impressive showings to start the season, the Falcons now get a full week off before coming to Logan to face Utah State. Since 2010, Air Force is 4-5 coming off a bye week.

Boise State – vs UConn (W 62-7)

After two games, Boise State already has a point differential of +91. Basically football’s reenactment of General Sherman’s March to the Sea during the Civil War, Boise State is absolutely torching anything in their path, racking up over 800 yards of offense versus UConn and holding the Huskies to fewer than 200. That’s an annihilation. Up next for the flaming-hot Broncos? A chance to impress the rest of the country at No. 24 Oklahoma State.

Boise State quarterback Chase Cord (10) runs by Connecticut linebacker Marshe Terry (41) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 62-7. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

Colorado State – vs Arkansas (W 34-27)

So maybe Colorado State isn’t as dead in the water as was once presumed. After two losses to Hawaii and Colorado to open the season, the Rams entered Saturday’s contest against Arkansas as 14-point underdogs at home. For the most part, the game played out accordingly. Until CSU rattled off 25 unanswered points to steal the victory. The win quite possibly salvaged Colorado State’s bowl hopes, but the schedule still doesn’t get any easier. The Rams play at Florida next week.

New Mexico – at Wisconsin (L 45-14)

This game reeks of Utah State’s loss at Wisconsin last year. Like the Aggies, New Mexico played remarkably well for the first half, holding a lead deep into the second quarter. Then everything fell apart. Wisconsin took the lead on a touchdown late in the first half to kick start a 42-7 run to close out the game. The Lobos never really stood a chance in this game, but that first half is at least something to hang a hat on. New Mexico still has several games left to figure things out before MW play, though, starting next week with an in-state showdown at New Mexico State.

Wisconsin’s Alec Ingold tries to jump over New Mexico’s Jalin Burrell during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Wyoming – at Missouri (L 40-13)

A week after giving Washington State a run for their money in Laramie, the Cowboys were unable to piece together the same kind of effort on the road. Traveling to an SEC school is never going to be easy, but Wyoming has to be a little concerned with their play in their first road game this season. The offense couldn’t muster hardly any competence, and a normally stout defense allowed over 600 yards to the Tigers. The Cowboys are lucky to have Boise State at home this season, but road trips to Fresno State, Colorado State, and even Hawaii may prove tricky if Wyoming’s troubles on Saturday are indicative of larger problems.

Fresno State – at Minnesota (L 21-14)

The Bulldogs came tantalizingly close to pulling off the MW’s second victory over a P5 school this week. Like, ridiculously close. Like, this-ridiculous-interception-stopped-them-from-tying-the-game-in-the-final-minute close.

Incredible defensive play to end Fresno State-Minnesota: pic.twitter.com/QhHuwwtb62

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 9, 2018

All things considered, though, this isn’t a terrible result for Fresno State. The Bulldogs will have another shot at P5 blood next week at UCLA, and with San Diego State at home in November, Fresno has an excellent shot at taking the West Division this season.

Hawaii – vs Rice

The Rainbow Warriors are 3-0 and, in all likelihood, will be 6-0 heading into a pivotal home game versus Wyoming. Everything looks pretty rosy for Hawaii, especially after missing out on the bowls for six of the past seven years. Look a little closer, however, and there is some cause for concern. Rice is one of the worst teams in all of college football, and even at home, Hawaii still allowed 29 points and almost 450 yards of offense. In three games, Hawaii’s defense is allowing over 500 yards and 34.7 points per game. That’s fine if you only want a bowl invite. It’s a problem if you want to compete for something more.

Hawaii running back Fred Holly III (21) leaps over the goal line to make a third-quarter touchdown against Rice at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Nevada – at Vanderbilt (L 41-10)

Vanderbilt’s calling card has always been their defense, so it’s not much of a surprise that Nevada struggled to move the ball for most of Saturday’s contest. But considering they hung 72 points on Portland State the weak prior, it is a little odd. Nevada’s offense is going to be a high-powered machine, and it will need to be to overcome its defense, so managing only 10 points is slightly concerning, even if it came against an SEC defense. The next two weeks provide matchups versus lowly Oregon State and a retooling Toledo which should be opportunities to regain some consistency before MW play.

San Diego State – vs Sacramento State (W 28-14)

That… did not inspire confidence. SDSU utilized both senior QB Christian Chapman and junior QB Ryan Agnew, but neither did much to amaze, combining for 17 of 28 passing and two picks. A usually punishing rushing attack averaged only 3.5 yards per rush. After a disappointing showing last week at Stanford, it’s fair to wonder if the Aztecs are going to uphold their usual standard this year. Next week remains tough, as SDSU travels to play at Arizona State, who just defeated Michigan State. There’s not much time left for the Aztecs to figure things out before opening MW play at Boise State in early October.

San Jose State – at Washington State (L 31-0)

It’s not often that a 31-point shutout loss is more encouraging than the previous week, but that’s what happens when you lose to UC Davis to start the year. The offense has major problems, as the Spartans gained a total of 109 yards this week, including a pathetic nine yards on the ground. Defensively, though, it’s at least encouraging that despite that inept offense, SJSU held a potent Washington State offense to only 31 points, and just seven points in the second half. That’s a tiny silver liner, but at least it’s something. And they probably won’t find it again next week at Oregon.

San Jose State wide receiver Leki Nunn, left, can’t hold onto a pass in front of Washington State linebacker Jahad Woods (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. Washington State won 31-0. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

UNLV – vs UTEP (W 52-24)

One of my picks as a dangerous sleeper in the MW, UNLV picked up their first win of the season after a hardfought loss to USC last week. The Rebels dominated UTEP on the ground offensively, with four players going over 70 yards rushing UNLV totaled over 400 rushing yards for the game (let’s just ignore the fact they managed to give up 265 rushing yards to UTEP.). There wasn’t much need to turn to the passing game, but it’s still discomforting that Armani Rogers only went 6 of 13. Those six completions went for 119 yards, but Rogers has to improve his efficiency for this team to really compete in the MW.