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The initial AP Poll was released earlier this morning, containing just one Mountain West team -- Boise State at no. 19 overall. Fresno State and Utah State also received votes, which is nice, but now attention turns to the actual games to be played by Mountain West Conference teams in 2013.
In all, Mountain West teams will face eight different non-Boise State ranked squads throughout the season, a list that includes Alabama, Ohio State and Stanford, the first, second and fourth-ranked teams in the country, respectively. Of the others, two teams (Hawaii, San Diego State) will face no. 25 Oregon State, and two (Hawaii and Utah State) will see no. 24 USC on their schedule. No. 12 Florida State, no. 18 Nebraska and no. 21 UCLA also appear on one schedule apiece.
At first glance, Nevada may have the toughest schedule in the conference, with three ranked teams and another two teams that received votes. But San Diego State may give them a run for their money, with three ranked teams themselves, including the second-ranked Ohio State.
For a team-by-team look at which Mountain West teams will be playing ranked opponents, check out the chart below. Any thoughts or concerns? Feel free to share in the comments.
Mountain West Team | Ranked Opponent(s) |
Air Force Falcons | No. 19 Boise State, RV Utah State, No. 14 Notre Dame |
Boise St. Broncos | RV Fresno State, RV Utah State, RV BYU |
Colorado St. Rams | No. 1 Alabama, RV, Utah State, No. 19 Boise State |
Fresno St. Bulldogs | No. 19 Boise State |
Nevada Wolf Pack | No. 21 UCLA, No. 11 Florida State, No. 19 Boise State, RV Fresno State, RV BYU |
Hawaii Warriors | No. 24 USC, No. 25 Oregon State, RV Fresno State, RV Utah State |
New Mexico Lobos | RV Utah State, RV Fresno State, No. 19 Boise State |
San Diego St. Aztecs | No. 2 Ohio State, No. 25 Oregon State, RV Fresno State, No. 19 Boise State |
San Jose St. Spartans | No. 4 Stanford, RV Utah State, RV Fresno State |
UNLV Rebels | RV Arizona, RV Fresno State, RV Utah State |
Utah State Aggies | No. 24 USC, RV BYU, No. 19 Boise State, |
Wyoming Cowboys | No. 18 Nebraska, RV Fresno State, No. 19 Boise State, RV Utah State |