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Week 13 Mountain West Football Preview

(5-6) (4-7)

War Memorial Stadium 12PM TV: The Mtn. - HD Telecasts of Nov. 22nd Football Games

Colorado State is looking for a bowl berth in this 100th meeting in the border war against Wyoming. This also could be Wyoming's Joe Glenn as head coach as Glenn met with athletic director Tom Burman briefly on Thursday afternoon to discuss the future of the program. That could open up at least two spots as the season ends, and there has all ready been speculation that Utah's defensive coordinator Gary Anderson is a candidate should the job open up.

This is the first game to be broadcasted in high definition on the Mountain West Sports Network, so check it out. Weather is not a factor as it should be sunny and in the 50's for this game.

The Rams should be pumped more then normal since a 6-6 gets them bowl eligible and depending on what Utah and UNLV do, because the Mountain West has four bowl tie-ins, and this year six MWC teams could be eligible after today. The Rams may need help to get into a bowl win if UNLV does win, they would like Utah to win and go to a BCS game which would open a spot. Then there is the Pac-10 who is looking like they may have only 5 bowl eligible teams, so some at large spots are open if needed.

The Rams could have trouble in this game because the strength of the Wyoming defense is stopping the run and the Rams are better at running the ball then passing the ball. However in the last four games quarterback Billy Farris has 8 touchdowns and has averaged 258 yards per game, so the formerly inept passing attack has been a strength for the past month.

Wyoming is only good on offense with their running game, but in every other major offensive category the Cowboys rank 100th or lower. Their quarterback situation has stabled, with Chris Stutzriem but he is only a freshman and still struggling in the position.

Expect Wyoming to turn the ball over at least twice and give up big passing plays by Colorado State and allowing points. The Rams will have to be able to run the ball with starter Gattrell Johnson and Kyle Bell so they are not one dimensional.

Final Score: Colorado State 28 Wyoming 13

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(8-3) #16 (9-2)

Ammon G. Carter Stadium 2:30 PM CT TV:  VERSUS

TCU wants revenage and a shot at their second Mountain West Conference title. Air Force is looking for a chance at 10 wins for the first time since 1998. This game may not be close because TCU had an off week to prepare for the Falcon run option offense, and Air Force may have a let down after their lose to BYU and now no longer have a chance to win the conference title.

TCU is allowing a nation-best 39.5 yards per game. Only Wyoming (113) and UNLV (108) have reached 100 yards rushing against the Horned Frogs. Air Force averages 279 per game on the ground, so expect Air Force to get around the 200 yard mark. The emergence of freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson now makes the Air Force offense not as predictable. The Falcons may throw 10 times in the game, but they can throw off the defense if they do not stay with their assignments.

Air Force has lost 10 straight against ranked teams, including three this season. The Falcons haven't beaten a Top 25 team since a 23-21 victory over then-No. 23 California on Sept. 21, 2002.

Air Force will need to force turnovers and control the time of possession to be able to keep the score low and the ball out of Andy Dalton and Aaron Brown for TCU. TCU should be able to pass on the Air Force secondary this Saturday which is what BYU and Utah did in their victories over Air Force.

Final Score: TCU 27 Air Force 23