Mountain West power ratings: UNLV on top (yes, UNLV) after wild weekend of upsets

Air Force and Fresno State lost by multiple TDs as chaos reigned

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.

Boise State and San Diego State are the other two. Will there be more?

The Mountain West coaching carousel started spinning early Sunday morning when Boise State fired third-year coach Andy Avalos… with the Broncos in the thick of the conference championship race.

On Monday morning, San Diego State announced that 65-year-old coach Brady Hoke would retire at the end of the season — a classy way for Hoke to end his career without the Aztecs. being forced to carry out a public termination.

So far, two of the twelve schools have vacancies, and we anticipate that there will be more.

Nevada and New Mexico may also make changes.

And there’s always the possibility that one or more coaches will leave voluntarily, either to retire or take another job.

So brace yourself for the next six weeks. With the regular season coming to an end, the transfer portal opening, and the early signing window approaching, the Mountain West could be in for a wild ride.

To the power ratings …(All times Pacific)

1. UNLV (8-2/5-1)

Last week: 5

Result: beat Wyoming 34-14

Next up: at Air Force (12:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: It was an unusual situation in that three of the top four teams in the power ratings lost; nor have we ever moved a team from fifth to first place in a single week. However, ratings are subjective, and no team is currently performing better than the Rebels.

2. Boise State (5-5/4-2)

Last week: 3

Result: beat New Mexico 42-14

Next up: at Utah State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: The timing of Avalos’ dismissal is both unusual (following a big win) and risky: the disruption could cost Boise State the conference title.

3. Fresno State (8-2/4-2)

Last week: 1

Result: lost at San Jose State 42-18

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

Comment: The road to the MW championship game was wide open. It’s all muddled now. The Bulldogs should win out, but they must avoid the one-loss teams in front of them. (They will need Air Force to defeat UNLV.)

4. Air Force (8-2/5-1)

Last week: 2

Result: lost at Hawaii 27-13

Next up: vs. UNLV (12:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: I don’t think there have been many crazier weeks in MW history, not just in terms of results, but also in terms of the magnitude of the upsets.

5. San Jose State (5-5/4-2)

Last week: 6

Result: beat Fresno State 42-18

Next up: vs. San Diego State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: To secure a bowl berth, the Spartans must defeat SDSU, as UNLV awaits in the finale (on the road). And that is far from a sure thing.

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

Last week: 4

Result: lost at UNLV 34-14

Next up: vs. Hawaii (11 a.m. on Spectrum)

Comment: The Cowboys face Nevada after Hawaii, so an eight-win season is well within their grasp. And who among Wyoming fans wouldn’t have taken 8-4 before the season started? They are all wrong.

7. Colorado State (4-6/2-4)

Last week: 7

Result: beat San Diego State 22-19

Next up: vs. Nevada (12 p.m. on MW Network)

Comment: Another team with a chance to make the playoffs, the Rams need only to beat Nevada and Hawaii to secure a spot. The MW may have more bowl-eligible teams than the Pac-12.

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

Last week: 8

Result: beat Nevada 41-24

Next up: vs. Boise State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: Another team on the brink: Beat New Mexico in the finale, and the Aggies will be eligible for the sixth consecutive year (excluding 2020).

9. Hawaii (4-7/2-4)

Last week: 9

Result: beat Air Force 27-13

Next up: at Wyoming (11 a.m. on Spectrum)

Comment: Not much surprises us these days. Hawaii’s 14-point win over Air Force was the exception … until we saw the Falcons had four turnovers.

10. Nevada (2-8/2-4)

Last week: 10

Result: lost at Utah State 41-24

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

Comment: Because of the transfer portal in early December and the early signing period in the middle of the month, schools cannot afford to wait on coaching changes. If the Wolf Pack makes a move, it will likely happen before Thanksgiving.

11. San Diego State (3-7/1-5)

Last week: 11

Result: lost at Colorado State 22-19

Next up: at San Jose State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)

Comment: The SDSU job should have a lot of appeal with the expanded College Football Playoff and guaranteed access for the best Group of Five team.

12. New Mexico (3-7/1-5)

Last week: 12

Result: lost at Boise State 42-14

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

Comment: Our advice: Sell stock in defensive coordinators hired away from Pac-12 schools to coach their alma maters in the MW.