Mountain West Roundup: Week 6

on October 10, 2018 at 10:37 am

Air Force – vs Navy (W 35-7)

In the only non-conference matchup this week for a MW team other than Utah State, Air Force rebounded nicely from their lackluster performance against Nevada last week. At 0-2 in MW play and 2-3 overall, the Falcons are thoroughly in trouble in terms of qualifying for a bowl game, as both San Diego State and Boise State still remain on the schedule. Saturday’s win did position AF very well to reclaim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Playing at Army on November 3 might be the most important game left on the Falcons’ schedule.

Boise State – vs San Diego State (L 19-13)

Remember when we all thought this was Boise’s conference and we were all just living in it? That perception has been shattered. QB Brett Rypien went 21 of 41 for only 170 yards with two interceptions. The Bronco defense is more than able to still win BSU the MW title, but the offense is not as unassailable as was once assumed. That flaw makes Boise State exponentially more beatable, and will certainly come into play against Fresno State and Utah State later in the season.

Colorado State – at San Jose State (W 42-30)

Admittedly, I thought San Jose State was going to win this game, which probably says more about the state of Colorado State football than anything else. The Rams did win, but did little else to dispel the notion that something is seriously wrong in Fort Collins. CSU has six games left on the schedule, and they can’t afford to lose more than two in order to reach bowl eligibility. Games versus Boise State and Utah State are likely losses, meaning the Rams have to win every matchup versus New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada, and Air Force. I’m doubtful.

New Mexico wide receiver Elijah Lilly (19) reaches out before making a catch and running for a touchdown against coverage from UNLV Rebels linebacker Javin White during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Las Vegas.(Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

New Mexico – at UNLV (W 50-14)

We’ll get to UNLV later, as this game says much more about them than it does New Mexico. The Lobos sit at 3-2 overall, but their best win may be over New Mexico State. Props to UNM for taking advantage of a lesser schedule (you know, besides losing to Liberty) that ends with Colorado State next week, but then they face a murderer’s row to end the season: Fresno State, Utah State, San Diego State, Air Force, Boise State, and Wyoming. It’s tough to see a future in which the Lobos reach a bowl game.

Wyoming – at Hawaii (L 17-13)

Perhaps the best argument for drafting Josh Allen in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft is the play of Wyoming this season. Hawaii is basically a lame duck without their starting QB Cole McDonald, but the Cowboys’ offense proved to be even more futile than that. Nico Evans did his best for Wyoming, gaining a total of 192 yards on 24 carries, but that effort was partnered with a mere 87 yards passing. It’s probably safe to now say that Wyoming is just bad.

Fresno State – at Nevada (W 21-3)

Fresno State is the currently the best team in the conference. Their only loss of the season is at Minnesota, where a spectacular pick in the endzone sealed their fate, and in consecutive weeks they’ve shut down high powered offenses from Nevada and Toledo. The offense is not infallible, but with the Bulldogs’ defense, it doesn’t really need to be. Even at Boise State, a case can be made that FSU should actually be favored in what possibly might be a conference title preview.

Eugene Tanner/AP Photo

Hawaii wide receiver JoJo Ward (19) catches the game winning touchdown pass over Wyoming cornerback Antonio Hull (4) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Honolulu. Hawaii beat Wyoming 17-13. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

Hawaii – vs Wyoming (W 17-13)

The Rainbow Warriors are possibly the worst 6-1 team in college football history. The best team Hawaii has played so far is probably Army, and the Warriors lost 28-21. Hawaii does deserve some credit for beating the poor teams who littered their schedule for the first half of the season, but due to the Warriors playing 13 games this year, they’ll need one more win to ensure a bowl game. Next week at BYU might be one of their best chances to do so.

Nevada – vs Fresno State (L 21-3)

If Nevada only manages three points, it’s not going to end well. The defense actually put forth a good performance, holding Fresno State to only 30 yards rushing for the game. In fact, the Wolf Pack outgained the Bulldogs 327-271, but the offense fell flat on its face repeatedly. Three interceptions ultimately doomed Nevada. Things won’t get easier anytime soon, though, as Boise State will likely take out all their revenge this week against the Wolf Pack.

Steve Conner/AP Photo

San Diego State wide receiver BJ Busbee, in the air, avoids the tackle attempt by Boise State safety Tyreque Jones, on the ground, in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

San Diego State – at Boise State (W 19-13)

I, for one, am sick of how often San Diego State inserts itself into a MW title discussion they have no business being in. In terms of talent, SDSU is probably the third-best team in the conference. But the Aztecs are one of the best teams in the country at making games look ugly, and when games turn ugly, the Aztecs thrive. At this point, I wouldn’t put it past SDSU to upend Fresno State with some ungodly score like 15-13.

San Jose State – vs Colorado State (L 42-30)

Constantly inventing new ways to lose, San Jose State scored 30 points in the third quarter alone versus CSU, and still somehow lost. Not only lost, but they somehow found a way to not score a single point in the other three quarters. It makes sense, because the Spartans comprise about 25 percent of a decent college football team, but it’s still bizarre. SJSU will probably find at least one win this season, but mainly because the rest of the MW isn’t good enough to ensure not losing to SJSU.

UNLV – vs New Mexico (L 50-14)

Every week, there’s one MW team that makes me want to go cry in a corner. This week, it was UNLV, who without starting QB Armani Rogers, found a way to lose by 36 points to a team coming off a beatdown by the hands of Liberty. Head coach Tony Sanchez gave the ball to preseason All-MW team member Lexington Thomas a total of six times because he didn’t like Thomas’ effort. By the way, the play Sanchez took issue with came in the second quarter with the Rebels already down 15-0 to a team coming off a beatdown by the hands of Liberty. That sounds like the decision-making process of a guy who knows he’s out of a job when the season ends. Sorry, Sanchez. Don’t lose 50-14 to a team coming off a beatdown by the hands of Liberty.