Mountain West power ratings: Air Force jumps, SDSU falls and Fresno State tightens its grip on the top spot
The top-two teams in the conference won't meet this season because of an unfortunate schedule rotation.
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.
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?
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