MWC Week Six Games & Game of the Week Prediction

All hands on deck this week. Everyone is back in action. Some pretty good matchups this week.

Game 1 - Utah State (3-1) at BYU (3-2)

Game Time: 7:00 PM (Mountain) on Friday

Television - ESPN2

Spread - BYU by 2.5

The Aggies are coming off a bye. Before that, Utah State beat Air Force, 42 to 32. BYU is coming off of a blowout loss at Washington, 35 to 7. BYU is a defensive team, and they are currently ranked the 49th total defense in the country. That might not sound impressive, but the numbers took a hit from playing Washington last week. It will be an interesting matchup for an explosive Utah State team that currently ranks 30th in the country for total offense. On the others side of the ball, the Cougars currently have the 124th ranked total offense in the country. Most likely, BYU will attack Utah State on the ground. Currently, the Aggies have the 100th ranked rush defense.

Game 2 - Navy (2-2) at Air Force (1-3)

Game Time: 1:30 PM (Mountain)

Television - CBS Sports Network

Spread - Navy by 3

Air Force is coming off of a loss to Nevada, 28 to 25. Meanwhile, Navy is coming off a loss in overtime to SMU, 31 to 30. This should be a really good matchup. While Air Force has struggled defending the pass this year, that won’t be as big of a worry this week with Navy. Navy has the #1 rushing offense in the country. However, Air Force holds the 12th ranked rushing defense. On the other side of the ball, Air Force might hold a more significant advantage. Air Force has the 11th ranked rushing offense while Navy holds the 70th ranked rushing defense.

Game 3 - San Diego State (3-1) at Boise State (3-1)

Game Time: 1:30 PM (Mountain)

Television - ESPNU

Spread - Boise State by 14

First off, this game deserves better than ESPNU for a broadcast. Both teams account for the last, four MWC Championships. The Broncos are coming off a win against Wyoming, 34 to 14. The Aztecs are coming off a bye, but they beat Eastern Michigan the week before that in overtime, 23 to 20. San Diego State comes into the game with the 109th ranked passing defense. Currently, Boise State has the 4th ranked passing offense. Advantage Broncos. While San Diego State is without their starting QB and RB for this game, expect the Aztecs to stay true to their identity as a run-first team. San Diego State has the 47th ranked rushing offense. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, Boise State has the 40th ranked rushing defense.

Game 4 - New Mexico (2-2) at UNLV (2-2)

Game Time: 2:00 PM (Mountain)

Spread - UNLV by 9

The Lobos are coming off of a shootout loss to Liberty, 52 to 43. The Rebels are coming off a bye, but lost a close one to Arkansas State prior to that, 27 to 20. New Mexico has the 114th ranked rushing defense. Not good news for the Lobos as UNLV has the 3rd ranked rushing offense. New Mexico will probably hope for a shootout in this one since UNLV has only the 82nd ranked total defense in the country.

Game 5 - Fresno State (3-1) at Nevada (3-2)

Game Time: 8:30 PM (Mountain)

Television - ESPNU

Spread - Fresno State by 14

The Bulldogs are coming off of a blowout win against Toledo, 49 to 27. The Wolf Pack are coming off of a road win over Air Force, 28 to 25. Currently, Fresno State has the 21st ranked total defense in the country. Nevada ranks 95th. On the other side of the ball, Nevada ranks 42nd in the country in total offense. Fresno State ranks 49th. The rankings suggest that the Nevada defense will need to step it up in order to keep the Wolf Pack in this game.

Game 6 - Colorado State (1-4) at San Jose State (0-4)

Game Time: 8:30 PM (Mountain)

Television - CBS Sports Network

Spread - N/A

The Spartans are coming off a heart-breaking loss to Hawaii in 5 overtimes, 44 to 41. Colorado State is coming off a bye. Prior to that, Colorado State was beaten by a FCS team at home, 35 to 19. Expect a shootout in this one as these are two of the worst defenses in the country. San Jose State has the 123rd ranked total defense while Colorado State has the 120th ranked total defense.

Game 7 - Wyoming (2-3) at Hawaii (5-1)

Game Time: 10:00 PM (Mountain)

Spread - Hawaii by 3

The Cowboys are coming off a loss to Boise State, 34 to 14. The Rainbow Warriors are coming off of a shootout win versus San Jose State that took five overtimes, 44 to 41. Currently, Wyoming has the 98th ranked passing defense in the country while Hawaii has the 6th ranked passing offense. On the other side of the ball, Wyoming has the 121st ranked total offense while Hawaii has the 105th ranked total defense. The Cowboys offense will likely need to step it up this weekend if Wyoming hopes to win.

Game of the Week Prediction - Utah State at BYU

Some really good games this week, but I give the nod to Utah State. As noted above, it’s a good matchup, and the game is expected to be close. Beyond that, it’s an in-state rivalry between two teams that are meeting for the 88th time. Also, it’s always nice to see a MWC team try to beat BYU, considering the history the conference has with BYU.

Let us know which game you think will be the Game of the Week in Week Six.