Mountain West Roundup: Weeks 0 and 1

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 – vs Stony Brook (W 38-0)

Virtually every team in the FBS plays at least one FCS opponent. NCAA rules allow one win versus an FCS team to count towards the six victories necessary to qualify for a bowl game. These games usually mean next to nothing. The exception is when an FBS team struggles with its FCS opponent, usually a bad sign for that team’s season. Not the case here. The defense looked great, allowing only 75 yards in the contest. The offense probably should have accomplished more with that defense, but it’s hard to complain with a 38-0 win. We’ll learn more about the Falcons next week when they take on FAU.

Colorado State vs Hawaii (L 43-34), vs Colorado (L 45-13)

What a rough start for Colorado State. A team that was picked to finish third in the preseason MW polls (however wrong that may have been) is already going to be playing for its postseason. The Rams will probably be 0-4 in several weeks after playing Arkansas (at home) and Florida (on the road). They will play Wyoming at home this year, but they also have to travel to Boise State. In short, CSU’s remaining margin of error for this season is basically zero. The issue is that CSU’s still has the potential to be a good team in the MW, regardless of their bowl chances. That mid-November matchup could become a dangerous adventure for Utah State versus a team with nothing to lose.

Boise State wide receiver Sean Modster, right, catches a pass as Troy cornerback Marcus Jones, left, tries to defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Boise State – at Troy (W 56-20)

Casual reminder that Troy received a few votes in last week’s AP poll. They defeated LSU at Death Valley last season. They had a legitimate, albeit infinitesimal, chance at claiming the Group of 5 bid to a New Year’s Six bowl game. Boise State ripped them to shreds like a dog shreds an unattended pillow. Boise State was already the massive favorite to win the MW title. This greatly reinforces that belief. With UConn visiting next week, that’s not about to change.

New Mexico – vs Incarnate Word (W 62-30)

Remember how I said that the only exception to FBS vs FCS games meaning nothing was struggling with your FCS opponent? Allowing 30 points and 566 total yards to something called Incarnate Word qualifies. The offense hummed along as it should have, but that defense is worrisome. MW offenses are going to be a lot tougher to stop than Incarnate Word.

Wyoming – vs New Mexico State (W 29-7), vs Washington State (L 41-19)

Wyoming looked unstoppable versus New Mexico State and very stoppable versus Washington State. That’s expected. NMSU is supposed to much worse this season compared to last, and WSU is a Power-5 school with a good coach and a good system. The defense is going to be stellar, but we won’t really have a good reading on this team until they play at Hawaii in early October. The three weeks before that? At Missouri and at home versus Wofford and Boise State.

Fresno State – vs Idaho (W 79-13)

Idaho was an FBS team just last season. They have adjusted to the FCS level remarkably well. Fresno State is going to be neck and neck with San Diego State for the West Division title this season. The next weeks is a chance to make that statement in a big way. Two games, both on the road, at Minnesota and UCLA.

Hawaii – at Colorado State (W 43-34), vs Navy (W 59-41)

The Run’N’Shoot is alive and well. Hawaii’s first two games are one of the most surprising events of the first two weeks. Two fairly commanding victories against teams against whom Hawaii was considered major underdogs. The Warriors honestly could be bowl eligible before October. They face Rice, Army, Duquesne, and San Jose State in their next four games. They’re averaging 51 points per game, and that offense will only continue to build confidence. In short, USU probably isn’t going to shut out Hawaii again this season. It will be a shootout.

Nevada – vs Portland State (W 72-19)

Hey, BYU, this is how you handle Portland State. Nevada looked more than competent on both offense and defense. The Wolf Pack racked up over 600 yards of offense and held PSU to 2.5 yards per rush. That being said, it was just Portland State. Two upcoming games versus low-end P5 schools, Vanderbilt and Oregon State, should tell us a lot more about Nevada’s bowl chances.

San Diego State running back Juwan Washington (29) breaks a tackle against Stanford defensive end Jovan Swann (51) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

San Diego State – at Stanford (L 31-10)

Last year, the Aztecs upset a ranked Stanford team 20-17 and soundly put their hat in the ring for the Group of 6 invite to a NY6 bowl. This year, SDSU simply couldn’t match with Stanford on the road. Does that say more about Stanford being better or SDSU being worse? We won’t find out by watching the Aztecs playing Sacramento State next week. Playing at Arizona State the week after? That will be much more indicative of how the Aztecs’ season will go.

San Jose State – vs UC Davis (L 44-38)

Oh, honey. For the good of any SJSU fans that may be reading this, we won’t go too deep into the Spartans’ misery. Who am I kidding? SJSU fans don’t exist. The Spartans are going to struggle to win a game this season. The West Division looks improved outside of San Jose, and the Spartans’ three Mountain Division opponents are Utah State, Colorado State, and Wyoming. It’s going to be another long season.

UNLV – at USC (L 43-21)

Basically the lite version of Utah State’s week, UNLV held their own versus USC, holding a lead deep into the second quarter before USC ultimately pulled away in the second half. A solid showing for a Rebels team hoping to play spoiler in the MW and reach their first bowl since 2013. Lexington Thomas might be the best running back in the conference and Armani Rogers is among the most dangerous running QBs in the nation. UNLV is going to be a tough play this season and USU should consider themselves lucky to face them in Logan.