Mountain West power ratings: UNLV on top (again) as dream season continues, Fresno State falls and SJSU rises

The Spartans are one of the hottest teams in the conference

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.

With one week left in the regular season, the Mountain West has six bowl-eligible teams and two more that could qualify with victories in their final games.

Consider the following for context:

— The MW had seven teams qualify for the postseason last year and will have six in 2021.

— The conference is committed to five bowl games, with a sixth possible (depending on openings elsewhere).

— Any teams with at least six wins who are not placed in a conference-affiliated game will become free agents, with positions available.

spots in bowls with vacancies.

— If Colorado State and/or Utah State win this week, the selection process could become more interesting.

In terms of power ratings…

(All times Pacific)

1. UNLV (9-2/6-1)

Last week: 1

Result: won at Air Force 31-27

Next up: vs. San Jose State (12 p.m. on MW Network)

Comment: It’s time to start talking about Barry Odom’s qualifications for Coach of the Year on a national scale, not just in the Mountain West. Also, if Odom hasn’t already, it’s time to start talking about a contract extension with UNLV.

2. Boise State (6-5/5-2)

Last week: 2

Result: won at Utah State 45-20

Next up: vs. Air Force (Friday, 1 p.m. on FS1)

Comment: We’ll take the Broncos’ dominant performance at Utah State as evidence that they weren’t devastated by the dismissal of coach Andy Avalos.

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

Last week: 5

Result: beat San Diego State 24-13

Next up: at UNLV (12 p.m. on MW Network)

Comment: Look who’s won five straight (all by double digits) and is on track for another bowl berth. Every year the Spartans keep Brent Brennan is a year they should be thankful for.

4. Fresno State (8-3/4-3)

Last week: 3

Result: lost to New Mexico 25-17

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

Comment: The Lobos’ win at Fresno State stands out among the Mountain West’s many surprises this season. We may need years to recover from the shock of seeing the final score.

5. Air Force (8-3/5-2)

Last week: 4

Result: lost to UNLV 31-27

Next up: at Boise State (Friday, 1 p.m. on FS1)

Comment: With three straight losses, the Falcons are among the sport’s biggest late-season flops. When November began, they were one of four frontrunners for a spot in the Group of Five’s New Year’s Six.

6. Wyoming (7-4/4-3)

Last week: 6

Result: beat Hawaii 42-9

Next up: at Nevada (6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Few coaches in the country do more with less than Craig Bohl, who has led the Cowboys to six winning seasons in the last seven years (except for 2020, when they only played six games).

7. Colorado State (5-6/3-4)

Last week: 7

Result: beat Nevada 30-20

Next up: at Hawaii (8 p.m. on Spectrum Sports)

Comment: The Rams have already had their best season since 2017 and have vindicated their hiring of Jay Norvell. Next season, CSU should take the next step and compete for the conference title.

8. Utah State (5-6/3-4)

Last week: 8

Result: lost to Boise State 45-20

Next up: at New Mexico (Friday, 12:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: If you had offered the Aggies one game to become bowl-eligible — their final game, at New Mexico — they would have probably jumped at the chance. But will they be able to take advantage of it?

9. Hawaii (4-8/2-5)

Last week: 9

Result: lost at Wyoming 42-9

Next up: vs. Colorado State (8 p.m. on Spectrum Sports)

Comment: There isn’t much to play for this weekend in Honolulu, other than being a spoiler and keeping CSU out of the postseason.

10. Nevada (2-9/2-5)

Last week: 10

Result: lost at Colorado State 30-20

Next up: vs. Wyoming (6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Nowhere on our 2023 Nevada bingo card: a victory over New Mexico would be more impressive than a victory over San Diego State.

11. New Mexico (4-7/2-5)

Last week: 12

Result: won at Fresno State 25-17

Next up: vs. Utah State (Friday, 12:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: If one win can change a head coach’s future employment status, Danny Gonzales delivered it Saturday night in Fresno. FSU had outscored New Mexico 151-23 in the previous four series meetings, excluding the disastrous 2020 season.

12. San Diego State (3-6/1-6)

Last week: 11

Result: lost at San Jose 24-13

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

Comment: This was not the season-ending matchup Fox Sports had in mind when it scheduled the Aztecs and Bulldogs for FS1 on prime time on the West Coast. Such is life in the wild mountains of the American West.