The Mountain West Conference is what we thought it was...
Most teams have reached the halfway point in their schedule. Taking a look around the conference it appears that the Big-three of TCU, BYU and Utah are still the class of the Mountain West Conference.
Utah did have a genuine scare this weekend, but once again did just enough to beat their opponent. TCU also had a scare, but it really wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
The really interesting team in the conference is Wyoming. If the Cowboys are really for real at 4-2 this season, then their game against Air Force will be their coming out party.
Here are the Week Six Power Rankings.
1) TCU—The Horned Frogs fell in the polls due to their performance against Air Force on the road. Obviously many of the voters didn’t watch the game, but rather just looked at the final score. The game was never really in doubt, and Air Force only made it close very late in the game. TCU did suffer from turnovers; however, Air Force is ranked first in the nation in forced turnovers.
The Colorado State game will be very interesting for the Horned Frogs, and should prove to be the most interesting game of the week. The Rams looked to finally take the next step in the conference, and take down one of the big-three teams. Yet, both teams have something to prove this weekend. The Horned Frogs could slip up this weekend if they are looking ahead to their matchup in Provo against BYU.
Week Seven Schedule: Colorado State @ TCU
2) BYU— The Cougars did exactly what they were supposed to do on the road against a really bad UNLV team. The game was over after the first quarter. What was impressive for BYU is the fact that Harvey Unga looks healthy. Unga is already the best running back in the conference, and he is just now running healthy for the first time this season.
This week the Cougars will face the Aztecs on the road. This game should be over quickly, but it is important for BYU to not look ahead to their showdown with TCU the following week.
Week Seven Schedule: BYU @ San Diego State
3) Utah—A person could really look at the Utes’ win in a variety of ways. An optimist would see a first year JUCO quarterback leading his team back to victory, and getting major support from a talented defense. The Utes did what they need to do in order to win the game. A pessimist would see signs of weakness in this year’s Utah team, and would credit the win more to Colorado State’s meltdown than Utah’s spectacular play.
For an offense which is still trying to find an identity since losing Matt Asiata, a trip to UNLV is perfect. The Utes will dominate this weekend, and will have plenty of confidence heading home for three straight home games.
Week Seven Schedule: Utah @ UNLV
4) Air Force—The three losses this season for the Falcons have been by a combined 13 points. Many people penalized TCU for playing a close game with Air Force, but the game really said more about Air Force. The Falcons could have just established themselves clearly as the best of the non-big-three.
The Cowboys are heading down to Colorado Springs. This is a must win for Air Force, they are clearly the better team on paper. A loss to Wyoming would really set back the Falcon’s season.
Week Seven Schedule: Wyoming @ Air Force
5) Wyoming— A win over New Mexico isn’t much to brag about. The Cowboys did win, and they did win by more than three touchdowns. The problem for the Pokes’ is they could easily turn their 4-2 record into 5-7. The Cowboys still need to play the upper half of the Mountain West Conference in the second half of the season.
This weekend is very important in Wyoming’s quest to get the all important sixth win. Most likely Wyoming will beat San Diego State. Which means Air Force and Colorado State are the next most likely wins for the Pokes’. The real story in the game against Air Force is the battle of ball control. Both Air Force and Wyoming are ranked in the top ten in the nation in turnover margin. Wyoming will need to hold onto the football in order to give their team a chance to win this weekend.
Week Seven Schedule: Wyoming @ Air Force
6) Colorado State—What a choke job! The Rams had everything going for them late in the third quarter against Utah, but then Colorado State just fell apart. Utah’s Robert Johnson came up with three interceptions, and the Rams blew their chances to take a major step in reestablishing themselves as a major player in the Mountain West Conference. Colorado State’s defense was really holding Utah’s offense, and it seemed odd the Rams didn’t try to play a field position game against Utah to finish the game.
This is the last chance Colorado State has to really make a statement in the Mountain West Conference this season. The Rams have the talent to play with TCU. The horned Frogs could also be looking ahead to their trip to Provo to face BYU. Colorado State just hasn’t developed the consistency of play to win big games. If Colorado State can put together a solid four quarters of football, then they could keep it close and have a chance to win in Fort Worth this weekend.
Week Seven Schedule: Colorado State @ TCU
7) San Diego State— There have been flashes of brilliance this season for San Diego State. This is a promising sign for anyone who cheers for Aztec football, but those flashes of brilliance are too few and too far between.
The bye week should have helped San Diego State prepare for BYU. If the Aztecs can keep it close going into the second half that would be a major moral victory for them.
Week Seven Schedule: BYU @ San Diego State
8) UNLV— Wow, UNLV’s season fell apart in a hurry! The Rebels were completely outclassed by BYU last weekend. The defense of UNLV is just awful. The Rebels defense is ranked 113rd in rushing defense, 106th in passing defense, 101st in sacks, 104th in turnover margin, 109th in tackles for loss, and 116th in total defense.
Things will not improve for the Rebels this weekend as Utah will travel to Vegas. The Utah offense is still trying to figure out how to function without Matt Asiata; however, the Utes’ offense will benefit more from playing UNLV’s defense than UNLV’s defense will benefit from playing Utah’s offense. It looks to be another ugly weekend for the Rebels.
Week Seven Schedule: Utah @ UNLV
9) New Mexico— The University of New Mexico has decided to take action for their head coach getting in a fight with an assistant coach. New Mexico’s head coach Mike Locksley has been suspended for the Lobos’ game against UNLV. He also will be suspended for eight working days, and cannot have any contact with his team during that period. The ironic thing is a lack of Locksley’s presence might actually help the Lobos.
The Lobos should enjoy this week because it is the only week they won’t lose a game this season.
Week Seven Schedule: Bye Week
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