Power Rankings Week 14

Back at it. The regular season has ended and thus most teams have found their permanent place in the rankings. Take a look at this week’s MWCConnection Power Rankings, and let us know what you like and what you don’t. Feel free to drop your own rankings in the comments section.

1) Boise State

Boise State finishes the regular season undefeated in Mountain West play, something they have never accomplished before and in fact, a feat that has only been done one other time. They will face Hawaii next weekend for the MWC Championship.

2) Air Force

The Falcons cemented themselves as the #2 team in the conference over the past few weeks. Unfortunately for them, Boise State clinched the division and Air Force will be shut out of the conference championship even though they reached ten wins and were a head above everyone else in the conference. Still a great team having a great season and nothing should be taken away from the Falcons.

3) Hawaii

Another week, another wild Hawaii game. They trailed early, which is never a good idea against a clock-controlling option team. Then the offense decided to create an offensive explosion and ended up with a pretty comfortable win. They still can’t seem to make it through an entire game without pulling their starting QB, but they somehow find a way to make that work.

4) Wyoming

It is remarkable how far the Cowboys have gone on the strength of their defense. They have had a great year based on the formula of a strong defense, solid running game and just enough passing. Though they lost their biggest conference games, and thus solidified themselves as a firm second-tier MWC team, which this year is still very good.

5) SDSU

The good news is that San Diego State’s defense will keep them in every game until the end. The bad news is that San Diego State’s offense will keep them in every game until the end. They still win more than they lose and though it isn’t flashy, it gets the job done. They beat a pretty good BYU team, completely shutting the offense down.

6) Utah State

The Aggies continued their hot and cold season by beating up on the lowly Lobos. Jordan Love had a vintage 2019 game with three touchdowns and one interception and the Aggies seem to go as he goes. The defense didn’t have their best showing but the offense did more than enough to get the job done.

7) Nevada

The fact that the Wolf Pack made a bowl is remarkable. They seemed to struggle for large portions of the season and end the regular season by losing to their in-state rival. Quite the interesting season for Nevada, though they can still end on a high note with a bowl victory in a few weeks.

8) SJSU

The Spartans ended up winning in the “Morale Boost Bowl” and claiming the Valley trophy to end their season on a high note. No MWC team has exceeding expectations more than San Jose State and they’ll end their year with a placement in the rankings that no one would mistake for high, but a spot that would’ve been laughable in August.

9) UNLV

They will finish the year winning their last two games. Ironically, those will be the last two games of Coach Sanche’s tenure at UNLV and he will leave winning his last two games. There’s a not a bad team here and certainly one who has played better than their record at times, but they also failed more than they succeeded this year and thus they are in this spot.

10) Fresno State

Fresno ended up losing the “Morale Boost Bowl” and with it comes a merciful end to their disappointing season. The Bulldogs were never able to find their rhythm and at different points in the season looked lost on both sides of the ball. Now Fresno State will spend the offseason looking to right the ship and hoping this was just a one year aberration.

11) Colorado State

Things just look bleak for the Rams. Despite having some offensive firepower, they really haven’t been able to overcome their defensive struggles and other miscues this year. To their credit, they didn’t roll over and give up against Boise State, but it didn’t matter as they still lost.

12) New Mexico

They dropped their coach so there is hope for the future. Otherwise, same old story, feel for the players, who dropped their last 9 games to mark the end of the Davie era. New Mexico is owners of the MWC cellar until proven otherwise.