Week 9 Mountain West Conference Power Rankings

TCU's win over BYU changes up the look of the power rankings for week 9...

The Mountain West Conference has become more interesting this weekend. The Horned Frogs are now in the drivers seat for the conference title, and could make a run at getting into a BCS bowl game with a single loss. It looks as if the fate of the conference will be decided on November 6th as TCU faces Utah in Salt Lake City. A win by TCU would all but guarantee them the conference title. While Utah could use a win over TCU at home to propel them high in the national polls. I win by the Utes would also give BYU hopes of beating Utah and getting a share of the conference title back, after an embarrassing loss to TCU. New Mexico exploded for seventy points over the weekend, and the Rebels could keep yet another fourth quarter lead losing to Air Force at home. It should be a very exciting last month of football for the Mountain West Conference. Here are the week 9 power rankings:

1)Utah - Utah controls their own destiny. They play the other top teams in the conference at home(BYU and TCU). The Utes put together three quarters of solid football against Colorado State and destroyed the Rams at home. The running attack of the Utes look solid, and the defense looks to be able to get key stops. It is going to be tough to beat the Utes.

2)TCU - TCU is now in the driver's seat to win the conference. I was tempted to place the Horned Frogs into the top spot in the power rankings after the manner in which they beat the Cougars at home. Utah has been more consistent this season so the Horned Frogs get the number two spot. They will have a chance to take the top spot and the conference title with a win over the Utes on November 6th.

3)BYU - The Cougars looked awful. The defense was exposed, and the offense continues to look flat. They were lucky that teams lower in the top 25 lost providing the Cougars with an opportunity to stay relatively high in the polls at #17/18. BYU could have their hands full against the Rebels at home this weekend if their secondary continues to struggle.

4)Air Force - Air Force continues to play good football, and finds ways to win close games. Their only loses of the season came in a dogfight against the Utes, and special teams costing them a win against rival Navy. The Falcons still have some chances this season to make some noise against BYU and TCU in conference. They also only need one more win to become bowl eligible, a big accomplishment for Air Force considering the players they lost last season.

5)New Mexico - The Lobos destroyed the Aztecs, after a gritting loss to BYU. New Mexico rises quickly up the power rankings, and show that they might still be fighting for a bowl birth.

6)Colorado State - The Rams continue their tough stretch of schedule. Coming off loses to TCU and Utah, the Ram now get a break by playing San Diego State, before facing BYU and Air Force the following two weeks. A win over the Aztecs is crucial if the Rams want to be bowl eligible this season.

7)UNLV - The Rebels promising season seems to be going up in smoke. After a 3-1 start, UNLV has gone 0-3 in conference play and are now 3-4 overall. Their schedule now becomes more difficult. They play at BYU, and then return home to host TCU. Two more losses could sink another season for the Rebels.

8)Wyoming - A bye week is the only thing that could have gotten the Pokes out of the bottom spot. The Cowboys look to return to the bottom spot this week as they take on TCU on the road.

9)San Diego State - A 70-7 loss to New Mexico...OUCH!!! Welcome back to the bottom
spot, you earn it Aztecs.