Mountain West power ratings: Air Force on top as San Diego State drops after stunning loss

The Aztecs not only lost to winless Nevada but were shut out

Last season, the Hotline published weekly ‘Best of the West’ power ratings that included teams from the Mountain West and Brigham Young in addition to the Pac-12. We’re adding a MW-specific column to our lineup this season because the exercise was so popular.

(All times Pacific)

1. Air Force (7-0/4-0)

Last week: 1

Result: Navy won 17-6.

Up next: Colorado State (4 p.m., CBS Sports Network).

Comment: After defeating a.500 opponent, the Falcons jumped three spots in the AP poll. At this rate, they could be in the top ten by the end of November. (Hint: That rate isn’t going to last.)

2. Wyoming (5-2/2-1)

Last week: 2

Result: did not play

Next up: at Boise State (2:30 p.m. on FS2)

Comment: Wyoming’s only losses have come on the road against an undefeated team (Air Force) and the seventh-ranked team in the country (Texas).

3. Fresno State (6-1/2-1)

Last week: 3

Result: did not play

Next up: vs. UNLV (7:30 p.m. on FS1)

Comment: One of the teams battling Saturday night in The Valley is unbeaten in conference play, and it isn’t Fresno State. Who would have guessed?

4. Boise State (3-4/2-1)

Last week: 6

Result: did not play

Next up: vs. Wyoming (2:30 p.m. on FS2)

Comment: Boise State gets the 2:30 p.m. slot on FS2, while Fresno State gets the late-night slot on FS1.

5. UNLV (6-1/3-0)

Last week: 8

Result: beat Colorado State 25-23

Next up: at Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)

Comment: We are one UNLV victory away from crowning Barry Odom as the presumptive MW Coach of the Year. However, the final step could take several weeks.

6. San Jose State (3-5/2-2)

Last week: 7

Result: beat Utah State 42-21

Next up: at Hawaii (9 p.m. on Spectrum)

Comment: SJSU’s performance is better than it appears, given that the five losses came to teams with a combined record of 29-8 (USC, Oregon State, Toledo, Air Force, and Boise State).

7. Colorado State (3-4/1-2)

Last week: 4

Result: lost at UNLV 25-23

Next up: vs. Air Force (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Following a one-point win over Boise State and a two-point loss to UNLV, the Rams’ high-wire act heads down the road for what should be an entertaining matchup with the Falcons.

8. Utah State(3-5/1-3)

Last week: 5

Result: lost at San Jose State 42-21

Next up: idle

Comment: With San Diego State, Nevada, and New Mexico (plus Boise State) still on the schedule, it’s too early to rule the Aggies out of the postseason.

9. New Mexico (3-4/1-2)

Last week: 11

Result: beat Hawaii 42-21

Next up: at Nevada (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Also missing from the Hotline’s bingo card for the Mountain West season: putting New Mexico ahead of San Diego State in the power rankings.

10. San Diego State (3-5/1-3)

Last week: 9

Result: lost to Nevada 6-0

Next up: idle

Comment: It’s time for SDSU to start thinking about changes to the offensive coaching staff in order to avoid discussions about changing the head coach.

11. Hawaii (2-6/0-3)

Last week: 10

Result: lost at New Mexico 42-21

Next up: vs. San Jose State (9 p.m. on Spectrum)

Comment: With only five games remaining, there is no room for error in the bowl math. Consider us slightly skeptical.

12. Nevada (1-6/1-2)

Last week: 12

Result: beat San Diego State 6-0

Next up: vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: The Hotline has long since stopped being surprised by major college football results. But, my goodness, 6-0 blew us away on so many levels.