Final season, the Hotline printed weekly ‘Better of the West’ energy rankings that thought of not solely Pac-12 groups however these within the Mountain West and Brigham Younger. The train was so widespread that we’re including a MW-specific column to our array of choices this season.
Fast thought earlier than diving into the ability rankings:
With Boise State and San Diego State sitting on a number of losses, the Mountain West is missing marquee matchups for the convention season.
It’s a foul yr for Fresno State and Air Pressure — the one remaining undefeated groups — to overlook one another.
(All occasions Pacific)
1. Fresno State (4-0)
Final week: 1
Consequence: beat Kent State 53-10
Subsequent up: vs. Nevada (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: The 29-0 win at Arizona State was spectacular on the time and appears even higher after the Solar Devils pushed USC deep into the fourth quarter.
2. Air Pressure (4-0/2-0)
Final week: 3
Consequence: gained at San Jose State 45-20
Subsequent up: vs. San Diego State (5 p.m. on CBS Sports activities Community)
Remark: The Falcons are presently averaging 240.5 dashing yards per recreation, which is excessive even for them and 70 yards — 70! — away from the No. 2 crew (Liberty).
3. Wyoming (3-1)
Final week: 2
Consequence: beat Appalachian State 22-19
Subsequent up: vs. New Mexico (1 p.m. on MW Community)
Remark: Don’t underestimate the victory over App State, which pushed No. 15 North Carolina to extra time. It’s one of many MW’s finest 4 or 5 non-conference wins of the season.
4. Boise State (2-2/1-0)
Final week: 4
Consequence: gained at San Diego State 34-31
Subsequent up: at Memphis (1 p.m. on ESPN2)
Remark: Memphis has one loss, to Missouri, however no high quality wins, common quarterback play and a mediocre protection. The perfect variations of Boise State would make simply sufficient performs within the second half to go away Grind Metropolis with a victory. Does this version qualify? We will see.
5. Colorado State (1-2)
Final week: 7
Consequence: gained at Center Tennessee State 31-23
Subsequent up: vs. Utah Tech (4 p.m. on MW Community)
Remark: How perspective shifts with every passing Saturday: The blowout loss to Washington State doesn’t look fairly as unhealthy; the extra time loss to Colorado seems worse.
6. San Jose State (1-4/0-1)
Final week: 5
Consequence: misplaced to Air Pressure 45-20
Subsequent up: idle (then: at Boise State)
Remark: When the schedule turned official, we considered SJSU’s bye as per week or two early for optimum profit. In actual time, it seems darn near excellent.
7. Utah State (1-3/0-1)
Final week: 6
Consequence: misplaced to James Madison 45-38
Subsequent up: at UConn (9 a.m. on CBS Sports activities Community)
Remark: There isn’t a disgrace in dropping to James Madison — none, zero, zip. There can be piles of disgrace if the Aggies lose to UConn.
8. UNLV (3-1)
Final week: 9
Consequence: gained at UTEP 45-28
Subsequent up: vs. Hawaii (1 p.m. on Spectrum)
Remark: The Hotline sometimes waits three years earlier than rendering judgment on a brand new head coach. Within the case of Barry Odom and UNLV, we would speed up the declaration of success.
9. San Diego State (2-3/0-1)
Final week: 8
Consequence: misplaced to Boise State 34-31
Subsequent up: at Air Pressure (5 p.m. on CBS Sports activities Community)
Remark: Brutal back-to-back for the Aztecs, who simply ceded 241 dashing yards to Boise State and now should cope with the Falcons’ triple possibility. 300 going as soon as … going twice … SOLD to the crew from San Diego.
10. Hawaii (2-3)
Final week: 10
Consequence: beat New Mexico State 20-17
Subsequent up: at UNLV (1 p.m. on Spectrum)
Remark: A win is a win is a win, and with the upcoming schedule, Timmy Chang and Co. simply may make it to 5-7, which might be a stable second yr.
11. New Mexico (2-2)
Final week: 12
Consequence: gained at UMass 34-31
Subsequent up: at Wyoming (1 p.m. on MW Community)
Remark: UMass’ solely victory of the season got here in Week 1, when the Minutemen gained at New Mexico State by 11. A number of weeks later, NMSU gained at New Mexico by 10. Then New Mexico went to UMass and gained by three. The one attainable conclusion: unhealthy soccer.
12. Nevada (0-4)
Final week: 11
Consequence: misplaced at Texas State 35-24
Subsequent up: at Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: First response upon seeing that Fresno State is a 24.5-point favourite Saturday evening: For the primary half, maybe, however what about for the sport?
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