Power Rankings: Week 6

Week 6 has come and gone and let’s check out the rankings in Mountain West this week. There was some movement, check it out:

1. Boise State

• Can a team be considered the best in the conference while not looking great against UNLV? They didn’t come out of the bye at strong as some had hoped. It wasn’t the best look for the Broncos but they are the only undefeated team in the MWC and look in control much more often than not. A tough game against Hawaii looms.

2. Hawaii

• Hawaii remains in the second spot after going up against BYE this week. They finally put together a full game prior and have had two weeks to focus on their matchup against Boise State. If they are going to take a stand, this is the game to do it. Will the offense continue to limit their turnovers or will they be their own worst enemy? Be sure to tune in.

3. Utah State

• The Aggies got destroyed by LSU and become the #3 team? USU and AFA will continue to go back and forth until they settle it on the field, but Utah State had the tougher test and though they failed, they still look like one of the top team in the conference. Expect them to bounce back in two weeks, as they get a much needed break this coming week.

4. Air Force

• The Falcons took a step back this week after misfiring against Navy. Yes, Utah State lost too but they had “the better loss” even though their game score was much much greater. AFA is still one of the stronger teams in the MWC this year but look a bit more vulnerable after their two most recent losses.

5. San Diego State

• If there was one team that had a really good argument to be ranked too low, it’s the Aztecs right here. They are 4-1, their defense looks very strong, and the offense is scoring just enough more often than not. Still, this is the easier part of their schedule, with a loss to Utah State coming in their only true test (unless you really like UCLA). If they keep winning as the difficulty grows, their ranking will reflect it.

6. Wyoming

• The Cowboys also fared well with BYE this week (as far as we know) and the hope is the break comes at the perfect time to reset the offense and find some answers. If they can figure out the passing game, they are a top team considering their run game and defense. If this is who they are this season, the 5-7 range seems about right. Like the Aztecs, the toughest games for Wyoming (BSU, USU, AFA) all come at the end.

7. San Jose State

• Heck, let’s do it! The Spartans will get rewarded for playing this week and jump into 7th place. They aren’t a great team but are pretty good and in year three for Brennan, talent can be observed without having to squint. Love is looking confident at QB and the defense keeps forcing turnovers. Keep it up Spartans.

8. Fresno State

• The Bulldogs did nothing wrong, they didn’t even play. But this is a “what have you done this week” pecking order and thus they drop a spot. It may only be for one week, but Fresno State just hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt yet this season.

9. Nevada

• Ditto Nevada, who really needs to get things going if they want to be in a bowl again this season. They come off a bye and play San Jose State, so the stars are lining up a bit to find a way and gain momentum. Otherwise, the only thing keeping them from the bottom are these three other teams all losing.

Note: I really considered putting all three of these teams at a tie for 12th, but decided to spare two teams at least.

10. Colorado State

• The Rams followed up a close loss to Utah State with a lifeless effort against SDSU. Sure the Aztec’s defense is strong but they made the Ram’s offense look very bad. If they offense is regressing to match the defense, that is not a good sign for a team who desperately needs a good sign somewhere.

11. UNLV

• The Rebels were considered for the 10th spot for a minute or two, since they didn’t have as bad of a showing against Boise State as one would’ve thought. However, it’s hard to find what’s going right for UNLV this season (besides Charles Williams), especially where expectations where starting the year.

12. New Mexico

• They lost respectably to SJSU, but that was one of their few chances left for wins, as the Lobos head into conference play. Hard to see where the bleeding stops, so let’s just keep them here and see what happens.