Each week, Nevada Sports Net’s Chris Murray will rank the Mountain West football teams. Here are this week’s rankings, with each team’s overall record, its ranking last week, its result last week, its next opponent and a brief comment.
1. San Diego State
Rank last week: 1
Record: 6-1, 3-0 MW
Last week: Beat Fresno State, 23-0
This week: vs. Wyoming, 4 p.m. (CBSSN)
Comment: San Diego State held Fresno State to 227 yards and 14 first downs while pitching its third shutout of the season. The Aztecs are holding opponents to 10.4 points per game, which ranks second in the country. And now San Diego State faces a Wyoming team that struggles to score (21 ppg, 114th in the nation), so another shutout could be on the horizon. This feels like a Rocky Long-coached team. I have the Aztecs in my Top 25, but it is worth pointing out all three of San Diego State’s MW games have come against quarterbacks making their first college start, so the tests will get tougher over the final month of the regular season.
2. Boise State
Rank last week: 2
Record: 6-2, 4-0
Last week: Beat Nevada, 24-3
This week: vs. Fresno State, 12:30 p.m. (FS1)
Comment: Boise State’s offense was held in check by Nevada as the Broncos were limited to 2.8 yards per carry while QB Maddux Madsen shook off a shaky first half to make some plays in the second half. But the star of the show was Boise State’s defense, which forced five turnovers (one technically came on special teams). This week’s challenge is more difficult as Boise State hosts upstart New Mexico.
3. UNLV
Rank last week: 3
Record: 6-1, 2-1
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. New Mexico, noon
Comment: UNLV had a bye week to recover from its first loss of the season, a 56-31 rout at the hands of Boise State. The remaining schedule is favorable with games left against New Mexico, Colorado State, Utah State, Hawaii and Nevada, a quintet that’s a combined 8-12 in league play. The Rebels don’t play San Diego State this season and will need help (an Aztecs loss) to get back into the MW title picture.
4. Hawaii
Rank last week: 4
Record: 6-2, 3-1
Last week: Bye
This week: at San Jose State, 7:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Comment: Hawaii had a bye last week to celebrate its bowl eligibility and now faces a tough road game at San Jose State, which is better than its 2-5 record. The Spartans are a 2.5-point favorite over the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii has won a pair of MW road games, so it’s having success off the islands. Hawaii has lost four straight in this series, which it trails 22-23-1 all-time.
5. New Mexico
Rank last week: 6
Record: 5-3, 2-2
Last week: Beat Utah State, 33-14
This week: at UNLV, noon
Comment: The Lobos got off to a fast start against Utah State, building a 19-0 lead and 26-7 halftime edge to down their former head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Utah State entered the game averaging 34 points per game, so kudos to New Mexico’s defense for its strong effort. That defense will be tested again this week when the Lobos play UNLV, which is averaging a MW-best 37.1 points per game.
6. Fresno State
Rank last week: 5
Record: 5-3, 2-2
Last week: Lost to San Diego State, 23-0
This week: at Boise State, 12:30 p.m. (FS1)
Comment: Fresno, we have a problem. And it’s the quarterback position. The Bulldogs benched turnover-prone QB EJ Warner last week against San Diego State and proceeded to get shut out at home for the first time since 1980. Warner’s replacement, Carson Conklin, was 20-of-42 for 182 yards and two interceptions. He’ll remain the starter against Boise State, which also has a staunch defense.
7. Wyoming
Rank last week: 9
Record: 4-4, 2-2
Last week: Beat Colorado State, 28-0
This week: at San Diego State, 4 p.m. (CBSSN)
Comment: After losing last year’s Border War to rival Colorado State, the Cowboys reclaimed the Bronze Boot with a shutout of the Rams, the first time they’ve done that since 2010. Wyoming forced three turnovers and rushed for 212 yards (6.2 yards per carry), building a 21-0 halftime lead before relying on its defense to seal the win. Wyoming is a big underdog at San Diego State (10.5 points) this week.
8. Utah State
Rank last week: 7
Record: 4-4, 2-2
Last week: Lost to New Mexico, 33-14
This week: Bye
Comment: The Aggies scored a season-low 14 points in its loss at New Mexico. The previous low-water mark was 22 points at Texas A&M, which is now a top-five team in the country. Utah State ran only 48 offensive plays as New Mexico held the ball for more than 38 minutes. The Aggies had 10 possessions, one of which was an interception and another a safety. After a bye, Utah State hosts Nevada.
9. Air Force
Rank last week: 8
Record: 2-5, 1-4
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Army, 9 a.m. (CBS)
Comment: Air Force had a bye before its rivalry game against Army, which is a Saturday morning game on CBS. The Falcons can’t win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy after losing to Navy, 34-31, earlier this season, but this week’s game is still meaningful. Air Force’s defense looked much better in its last game – a win over Wyoming – so we’ll see if that continues as the Falcons look to keep their bowl hopes alive.
10. San Jose State
Rank last week: 10
Record: 2-5, 1-2
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m. (CBSSN)
Comment: Odds are you’ll see a close game when San Jose State plays Hawaii with six of the Spartans’ seven games decided by a touchdown or less. San Jose State is 2-4 in those contests. The Spartans have cut down on the turnovers, posting seven of those in their first two games but only five in the last five contests. San Jose State’s iffy pass defense will be tested by Hawaii, which throws for 296 yards a game.
11. Colorado State
Rank last week: 11
Record: 2-6, 1-3
Last week: Lost to Wyoming, 28-0
This week: Bye
Comment: Colorado State’s first game after firing Jay Norvell was a dud with the Rams losing the Border War to rival Wyoming without scoring a point. Jackson Brousseau threw three interceptions on 18 pass attempts, which went for just 99 yards, before being pulled after none of Colorado State’s first six series went more than 22 yards. And Colorado State still must play UNLV, New Mexico and Boise State.
12. Nevada
Rank last week: 12
Record: 1-7, 0-4
Last week: Lost to Boise State, 24-3
This week: Bye
Comment: Nevada was held without a touchdown for the first time this season as true freshman QB Carter Jones was intercepted three times in the loss to Boise State. Jones faces lighter defensive teams in the coming weeks with Utah State, San Jose State and UNLV still on the schedule. Out of bowl contention, the question now is whether Nevada can avoid a fourth straight season with double-digit losses.
Sports columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.