Week Nine Mountain West Bowl Projections

The New Year's Six bowl chances are almost out of contention for the Mountain West, but a lot of great bowls with good opponents are still in play for the scrappy conference.

Teams like Air Force and San Diego State are flying under the radar nationally but could pose problems for potential power five teams that they face.  Now, lets see who's playing where as of week 9.

San Jose State:

New Mexico Bowl vs Rice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ESPN

Arizona Bowl vs Middle Tennessee in Tuscon, Arizona. ESPN

They only need to win two out of their last four to get in.  I like their chances against Hawaii and Nevada.  I think out of the two teams listed, they would rather face Rice.

Boise State:

Las Vegas Bowl vs Washington State in Las Vegas, Nevada. ESPN

Hawaii Bowl vs Temple in Honolulu, Hawaii. ESPN

Las Vegas Bowl vs California in Las Vegas, Nevada. SB Nation

Poinsettia Bowl vs Washington State in San Diego, California. CBS Sports

Boise has a chance to play some really great teams this bowl season and show America that they're still a powerhouse. Games against any team listed I believe would help the Broncos in every way possible.

Air Force:

Armed Forces Bowl vs Oregon in Fort Worth, Texas. ESPN

Armed Forces Bowl vs UTEP in Fort Worth, Texas. ESPN

Armed Forces Bowl vs Washington State in Fort Worth, Texas. SB Nation

Armed Forces Bowl vs Akron in Fort Worth, Texas. CBS Sports

Hey Falcon Fans! Book your hotels for Fort Worth now, cause you're team is playing there.  Oregon or Washington State have to be the top two for you guys right now.

San Diego State:

Poinsettia Bowl vs Central Michigan in San Diego, California. ESPN

Poinsettia Bowl vs Washington in San Diego, California. ESPN

Poinsettia Bowl vs ? in San Diego California. SB Nation (No opponent)

New Mexico Bowl vs Rice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. CBS Sports

Looking like a good shot the Aztecs play in their own backyard and out of all the teams listed, Washington is probably preferred. The Aztecs could very well win out and fo 9-3, so look for maybe some match ups to change in the coming weeks.

Utah State:

Potato Bowl vs Western Michigan in Boise, Idaho. ESPN

Cactus Bowl vs Arizona State in Phoenix, Arizona. ESPN

Arizona Bowl vs Rice in Tuscon, Arizona. SB Nation

Potato Bowl vs Ohio in Boise, Idaho. CBS Sports

Utah State is a very good team this year.  They just thrashed Wyoming (1-8 I know) and have very winnable games coming up.  Could make some noise come Bowl season.

Nevada:

Potato Bowl vs Northern Illinois in Boise, Idaho. ESPN

Hawaii Bowl vs UConn in Honolulu, Hawaii. CBS Sports

Nevada is an iffy team, but if they do get in, out of the teams listed UConn would probably be the team they want to play since the American is a surprisingly good conference this year.

Colorado State:

Arizona Bowl vs Arizona in Tuscon, Arizona. ESPN

Potato Bowl vs Bowling Green in Boise, Idaho. SB Nation

Arizona Bowl vs Old Dominion in Tuscon, Arizona. CBS Sports

The Rams are currently 3-5 and holding on pretty tight to any bowl chances they have left.  Could be a sad holiday season for fans in Fort Collins.

New Mexico:

New Mexico Bowl vs Rice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. ESPN

New Mexico Bowl vs Middle Tennessee in Albuquerque, New Mexico. SB Nation

The Lobos are 4-4, but I only see one more winnable game left on their schedule. Need some lunch and they'll find themselves playing in December.