Last season, the Hotline published weekly ‘Best of the West’ power ratings that considered not only Pac-12 teams but those in the Mountain West and Brigham Young. The exercise was so popular that we’re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.
Quick thought before diving into the power ratings:
With Boise State and San Diego State sitting on multiple losses, the Mountain West is lacking marquee matchups for the conference season.
It’s a bad year for Fresno State and Air Force — the only remaining undefeated teams — to miss each other.
(All times Pacific)
1. Fresno State (4-0)
Last week: 1
Result: beat Kent State 53-10
Next up: vs. Nevada (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: The 29-0 win at Arizona State was impressive at the time and looks even better after the Sun Devils pushed USC deep into the fourth quarter.
2. Air Force (4-0/2-0)
Last week: 3
Result: won at San Jose State 45-20
Next up: vs. San Diego State (5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Falcons are currently averaging 240.5 rushing yards per game, which is high even for them and 70 yards — 70! — clear of the No. 2 team (Liberty).
3. Wyoming (3-1)
Last week: 2
Result: beat Appalachian State 22-19
Next up: vs. New Mexico (1 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: Don’t underestimate the victory over App State, which pushed No. 15 North Carolina to overtime. It’s one of the MW’s best four or five non-conference wins of the season.
4. Boise State (2-2/1-0)
Last week: 4
Result: won at San Diego State 34-31
Next up: at Memphis (1 p.m. on ESPN2)
Comment: Memphis has one loss, to Missouri, but no quality wins, average quarterback play and a mediocre defense. The best versions of Boise State would make just enough plays in the second half to leave Grind City with a victory. Does this edition qualify? We shall see.
5. Colorado State (1-2)
Last week: 7
Result: won at Middle Tennessee State 31-23
Next up: vs. Utah Tech (4 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: How perspective shifts with each passing Saturday: The blowout loss to Washington State doesn’t look quite as bad; the overtime loss to Colorado looks worse.
6. San Jose State (1-4/0-1)
Last week: 5
Result: lost to Air Force 45-20
Next up: idle (then: at Boise State)
Comment: When the schedule became official, we viewed SJSU’s bye as a week or two early for optimal benefit. In real time, it looks darn close to perfect.
7. Utah State (1-3/0-1)
Last week: 6
Result: lost to James Madison 45-38
Next up: at UConn (9 a.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: There is no shame in losing to James Madison — none, zero, zip. There would be piles of shame if the Aggies lose to UConn.
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8. UNLV (3-1)
Last week: 9
Result: won at UTEP 45-28
Next up: vs. Hawaii (1 p.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: The Hotline typically waits three years before rendering judgment on a new head coach. In the case of Barry Odom and UNLV, we might accelerate the declaration of success.
9. San Diego State (2-3/0-1)
Last week: 8
Result: lost to Boise State 34-31
Next up: at Air Force (5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Brutal back-to-back for the Aztecs, who just ceded 241 rushing yards to Boise State and now must deal with the Falcons’ triple option. Three hundred going once … going twice … SOLD to the team from San Diego.
10. Hawaii (2-3)
Last week: 10
Result: beat New Mexico State 20-17
Next up: at UNLV (1 p.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: A win is a win is a win, and with the upcoming schedule, Timmy Chang and Co. just might make it to 5-7, which would be a solid second year.
11. New Mexico (2-2)
Last week: 12
Result: won at UMass 34-31
Next up: at Wyoming (1 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: UMass’ only victory of the season came in Week 1, when the Minutemen won at New Mexico State by 11. A few weeks later, NMSU won at New Mexico by 10. Then New Mexico went to UMass and won by three. The only possible conclusion: bad football.
12. Nevada (0-4)
Last week: 11
Result: lost at Texas State 35-24
Next up: at Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: First reaction upon seeing that Fresno State is a 24.5-point favorite Saturday night: For the first half, perhaps, but what about for the game?
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to [email protected] or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.
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