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What We Learned from Week Six of Mountain West Football


Air Force

QB Tim Jefferson is still out with that ankle injury, while backup QB Connor Dietz has done a good job of running the offense the Falcons really need Jefferson to get back quickly.  The Falcon defense did surprise by holding TCU to under 200 yards, but speedy WR Jimmy Young was able to beat the secondary for over 100 yards.  The Falcon secondary is good at covering in front of receivers and the middle of the field, but the big pass play is always a concern against Air Force.  The Falcons recovered two fumbles against TCU which decreased their turnover margin to a plus 2.67 per game which leads the nation.

BYU

QB Max Hall for the the first time in nine games did not throw an interception in the teams thrashing over UNLV late Saturday night.  Offensive coordinator Robert Anae used RB Harvey Unga to his full abilities and ran him a lot which lead to 149 yards and three scores with over 100 coming in the first half.  The BYU secondary which had been questioned throughout the year was able to get three picks, however they did give up 292 yards against UNLV.   This offensive performance looked real good and shows how good BYU can be this year.

Colorado State

The Rams are on a three game losing streak after their loss to Utah over the weekend.  The Rams in reality could have beaten Utah and Idaho, and be sitting at a stellar 5-1 record.  The running game for the Rams finally kicked into high gear with Leonard Mason rushing for 130 yards on Utah's defense. QB Grant Stucker now has nine interceptions on the year and has thrown a pick in every game except for the Nevada. Preseason All-Conference WR Rashaun Greer still has yet to score a touchdown this year.

New Mexico

Besides New Mexico sucking, head coach Mike Locksley will have a decision made on Tuesday if he will stay on as the coach, take a leave or be fired.  That's all anyone needs to know about New Mexico.

San Diego State

The Aztecs were off and they need it to try to find a running game against BYU. Perhaps they can channel the Florida State game when the Cougars travel to San Diego next week.

TCU

Turnovers were a problem against Air Force with three, but they are a great team and still managed to pull the victory out over Air Force.  The rush defense took a big hit against the Air Force triple option by allowing over 200 yards which moved TCU all the way down to eighth in the nation in rushing defense.  WR Jimmy Walker woke up with a 100 yard receiving game, but overall the offense looked pedestrian; could have been the frozen weather.

UNLV

Time to start the Mike Sanford count down to being fired clock.  Another bad performance against a very good team; at least they did not give up over 700 yards this week rather a modest 611 yards.  The team is not getting the ball to either wide out play maker in Ryan Wolfe and Phillip Payne, they have no running game, and again their defense is very, very bad. 

Utah

The Utes pulled out a come from behind win this week, and in the process RB Eddie Wide who is replacing the injured Matt Asiata had a nice game with 102 yards and a score.  The problem seems that the offense plays safe mode which has lead to the opposing team pulling ahead, but then something clicks and the offense moves the ball at ease.  This could be a problem when they play TCU and BYU later on. Also, DB Robert Johnson is the man he had three picks and was the player of the game against Colorado State.

Wyoming

Just two wins away from bowl eligibility, however they have yet to play the best part of the MWC schedule.  The still play Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, TCU, and Utah; not an easy stretch.  I feel I can safely say the quarterback situation is set with Austyn Carta-Samuels.