Mountain West power ratings: Wyoming is the new No. 1 after toppling Fresno State
The Cowboys built a big lead, then hung on
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.
1. Wyoming (5-1/2-0).
Last week: 3
Result: Fresno State was defeated 24-19.
Up next: Air Force (4 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network).
Comment: Perhaps it was Machiavelli, or it could have been Nietzsche or Spinoza. But we’re pretty sure someone once wrote, “He who deposes the king shall become the king… until he encounters the triple option on hostile ground.”
2. Fresno State (5-1/1-1) is ranked second.
Last week: 1
Result: lost at Wyoming 24-19
Next up: at Utah State (Friday, 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Mikey Keene’s fourth-quarter injury was not the cause of FSU’s defeat. FSU finally lost due to a 24-7 halftime deficit and Mikey Keene’s fourth-quarter injury.
3. Air Force (5-0/3-0)
Last week: 2
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. Wyoming (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Falcons have two weeks to prepare, while the Cowboys are coming off a game-changing victory over the Mountain West’s
Only one team is ranked. Air Force has a tactical advantage. Air Force has an emotional advantage. Obviously, there is an overall advantage.
4. Boise State (3-3/2-0)
Last week: 4
Result: beat San Jose State 35-27
Next up: at Colorado State (6:45 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: I had it all the way through.
5. Utah State (3-3/1-1)
Last week: 6
Result: beat Colorado State 44-24
Next up: vs. Fresno State (Friday, 5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Aggies have a great opportunity because they are at home on a short week and could beat Fresno State without Keene. If you win, the bowl math will change from algebra to basic division.
6. Colorado State (2-3/0-1)
Last week: 5
Result: lost at Utah State 44-24
Next up: vs. Boise State (6:45 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: In case there was any doubt, CSU ranks dead last in the country in penalties per game (9.6). At this rate, the Rams will end the season with 115 yellow flags. That takes talent.
7. San Jose State (1-5/0-2)
Last week: 8
Result: lost at Boise State 35-27
Next up: at New Mexico (3 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: The Spartans didn’t blow a 20-point lead because of one play, but their failure to stop Boise State on fourth-and-six late in the first half was a game-changer. The subsequent touchdown by BSU, which cut the deficit to 27-14, changed everything.
8. UNLV (4-1/1-0)
Last week: 7
Result: did not play
Next up: at Nevada (2 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: There must be a verse in the Book of Revelation about UNLV becoming bowl-eligible before San Diego State.
9. San Diego State (2-4/0-2)
Last week: 9
Result: did not play
Next up: at Hawaii (8 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: Sure, there are four games left to win, but
Only if the Aztecs improve their offense, which ranks 118th in points per game (19.3) and 105th in yards per play (5.1). If they don’t, even 5-7 may be a difficult hurdle to overcome.
10. Hawaii (2-4/0-1)
Last week: 10
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. San Diego State (8 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: There are seven games remaining, with four wins required for bowl eligibility. Wyoming and Air Force are two of the opponents, so
Hawaii’s margin for error is dangerously narrow.
11. New Mexico (2-3/0-1)
Last week: 11
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. San Jose State (3 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: The nine-point defeat at Wyoming looks better now than it did at the time, but the 10-point defeat at New Mexico State looks worse.
12. Nevada (0-5/0-1)
Last week: 12
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. UNLV (2 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: The Ken Wilson era requires more propulsion than a single victory can provide. Winning this weekend, on the other hand, would be a good place to start.
