Week 12 Mountain West Football Predictions

This week will be big for the middle of the Mountain West Conference...

Scott turns in the first sub-.500 week of predictions. This allowed me to pull even in the Head-to-Head standings, and pull ahead in the overall standings. Here are the results/standings:

Mark[Last Week 6-3(.667) 67-34(.663) Head-To-Head 4-4-2]
Scott[Last Week 4-5(.444) 66-35(.653) Head-To-Head 4-4-2]

Not many good match-ups this week. BYU and Utah try not to look ahead to the Holy War next week. Here are the prediction:

Wyoming @ UNLV 7PM MT CBSC

Wyoming beat Tennessee, but they weren't dominate. UNLV is better than their record. The Rebels will take care of the Cowboys this week.

UNLV 24 Wyoming 13

Wyoming shocked the world last week going into Knoxville and pulling the upset against Tennessee. Unfortunately they are going to get lost in the lights in Las Vegas and lose this game. It hard to believe that Wyoming still has a chance to become bowl eligible…AMAZING! The same goes for UNLV…

UNLV 28 Wyoming 13

New Mexico @ Colorado State 12PM MT The Mtn

Colorado State has far more to play for in this game. New Mexico is the last real challenge that the Rams have between them and becoming bowl eligible. New Mexico continues to dominate the games on the ground, and use the defense to control the game clock. Teams that try to use the clock to win games have trouble on the road.

Colorado State 31 New Mexico 17

CSU got handled last week by Air Force and it will be interesting to see what the Rams’ offense can do against New Mexico. One thing going for Colorado State is that New Mexico struggles putting up points. Rodney Ferguson does just enough to get the Lobos the W.

New Mexico 17 Colorado State 14

The Big Podcast GAME OF THE WEEK
#17 BYU @ AFA 1:30PM MT CBSC

This game is going to surprise a lot of people, because BYU is going to win and win big. Why? Air Force doesn't have the time to game plan to exploit holes in their opponents defense. The Cadets have too much training at this time of year, and they will just stick with the triple option. The triple option plays into the strength of the BYU defense, and Air Force's defense will have a hard time stopping the BYU offensive attack.

BYU 42 Air Force 13

If there is one team that BYU always seems to handle it is Air Force. For whatever reason, BYU knows how to stop the Falcons’ option attack. BYU still have something to play for and something to prove. While AFA doesn’t though much, expect them to take multiple shots deep against a pretty bad secondary.

BYU 31 Air Force 21

#7 Utah @ San Diego State 6PM MT The Mtn

Get ready for the Holy War, because this should just be a scrimmage for the Utes.

Utah 49 San Diego State 10

Utah has the luxury of a cupcake game before their showdown with the BYU on Nov. 22. The only problem Utah will face is what this game will do to their BCS standing.

Utah 35 San Diego State 10

Utah State @ Louisiana Tech 12:30PM MT

Louisiana Tech isn't the push over that they have been over the past few years. They are 5-4 and third in the WAC. The Bulldogs went to San Jose State and shut them out, a very impressive accomplishment! The Aggies got beat up at Boise State, and have to travel again to Louisiana. This would be a big win for the Aggies; however, it is just too much travel and competition for Utah State to handle. Bulldogs win Cajun style!

Louisiana Tech 24 Utah State 16

This is a very winnable game for the Aggies, unfortunately this is a game they have lost in the past. Despite their record, USU appears to have improved as the season has progressed. Believe it or not, but USU could finish the season right in the middle of the WAC standings.

Utah State 27 Louisiana Tech 24

#16 North Carolina @ Maryland 1:30PM MT ABC

OVERRATED!!! Both teams are overrated in this game. The ACC is just bad, and the national media continues to try and sell the tough games the North Carolina has played. If BYU, Utah, or TCU were in the ACC all of them would be undefeated this year. Maryland will beat the Tar Heels and show the mediocrity of the conference.

Maryland 28 North Carolina 17

Butch Davis has got the Tar Heels believing that they can win the ACC. Six points is the difference between 7-2 and 9-0. Of Maryland’s three losses, one was against Middle Tennessee State (!!!!) and the other came against Virginia. What Maryland team is going to show up? The one that lost by 10 to Middle Tenn. State, or the one that shutout Wake Forest? Either way, UNC wins this game.

North Carolina 21 Maryland 7

California @ Oregon State 1:30PM MT ABC

California has struggled all season to score points. Oregon State has looked good at home, and will win the game.

Oregon State 28 Cal 14

Who would have ever thought that Oregon State would control their own destiny in the Pac 10? As much talk as there is about USC playing for the national championship, there is no way the BCS would let them into that game if Oregon State wins the Pac 10. That is still a ways away for OSU. Cal is a tough football team and could potentially give OSU a lot of problems. I wouldn’t be surprised if Utah fans are more interested in this game instead of the SDSU game this weekend.

Cal 24 Oregon State 17

Boston College @ #19 Florida State 6PM MT ABCHD

Terrible conference, and terrible game. Not only is the ACC bad, but their games are BORING to watch! Florida State wins a snore fest! (Although, a brawl cause Bobby B to suspend his receiving core! Off the field issue at Florida State...yet another shocker!)

Florida State 24 Boston College 10

Florida State is a long way from becoming the Florida State team that dominated the 1990s, but they are getting back on track. They have a very competitive team, and as mediocre the ACC has been this year, it is enough to play for the conference championship. A total of 8 teams are still in contention to win the ACC. Florida State’s offense will be going up against a very good Boston College defense. BC’s offense didn’t look all that impressive against Notre Dame, which could be disastrous against a fast, hard nosed defense like the Seminoles.

Florida State 21 Boston College 14