Back at it. With each week, the sample size will grow and the rankings will (hopefully) be more accurate. 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) Nevada
The Wolf Pack won again, but for the second week in a row, it was more surviving than thriving. Moving them down was considered, but due to the teams below them not playing, not dominating, or losing, the status quo was maintained. The Strong to Doubs connection continues to be unreal this year but chinks in the armor have been exposed in other areas.
2) San Jose State
Didn’t play this week due to Covid, but here is the write-up from last week:
The Spartans keep winning and keep looking great on offense. What more is there to say? They have a non-traditional, but productive running game to compliment their diverse group of receiving weapons. Their only knock is they have not yet had to leave the state of California to play.
3) Boise State
The Broncos made the challenging trip to Hawaii and came away with a victory, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. They looked fantastic on special teams strong on offense, and forgot how tackle on defense. Boise State squandered a huge lead and made it closer than it could’ve been, but still prevailed. There is little separating these top three teams at the moment, if there is any separation at all.
4) San Diego State
The Aztecs took a hard loss to Nevada. It’s hard going against such a strong team and even harder to swallow when they had a chance to win with a first and goal drive late in the fourth. They are still a good team and should not be taken lightly, but as usual, if their tried and true game-plan of running the ball can be stopped, so can the SDSU offense. They need to develop a passing game.
4.5) Covid
It was time for their debut in the rankings. After taking down most of the teams in the Mountain West so far, they are undefeated. A few teams (Boise State, Hawaii, Nevada, and SDSU) have managed to evade them thus far, but Covid has yet to be stopped. Those who have had the best luck do so with distant coverage and covering like a mask when backed up close.
5) Fresno State
Didn’t play this week due to Covid, but here is the write-up from last week:
Ever since their opening season loss, the Bulldogs have really figured things out. They have a nice 1-2 punch on offense with Ronnie Rivers and Jalen Cropper, which gets the job done behind their QB who has done a much better job taking care of the ball. Granted, the past few weeks have been the soft spot in their schedule, but they have taken care of business in those games. Consider them the last of the good teams at this point.
6) Hawaii
Hawaii has been the most inconsistent team in the conference this season, but managed to put together a middle-ground game for the first time all year. It resulted in a loss and they were inconsistent during the game, but it was closer at the end. Their offense struggled to have a steady passing game for the first half, although the defense stepped up, and kept the running game in check. The mystery of this team continues.
7) Wyoming
Didn’t play this week due to Covid, but here is the write-up from last week:
The Cowboy’s first loss is looking better and better each week but this second one against Colorado State is a head-scratcher. They really need to regroup before this becomes a lost season for the team. Losing a rivalry game is tough and now Wyoming gets a de-facto bye week to figure things out. Without a game this week, it’s hard to know what to make of this Wyoming team.
8) Air Force
The Falcons returned to the field and they looked great. It’s becoming clear they have depth at their offensive skill positions and their system works as well as long as they have their top offensive linemen on the field, which was on display this past weekend. They have a young and inexperienced defense but are gaining valuable reps for the future.
9) Colorado State
Didn’t play this week due to Covid, but here is the write-up from last week:
The Rams could not have looked worse against Boise State following their first win of the season. They looked made special teams error after special teams error, and failed to establish the running game on offense despite their opponent being weak in the middle of the defense. Their passing game will keep allow them to put up points, but there isn’t much else to point to on this team at this point.
10) New Mexico
For the first time all season, the Lobos didn’t play a competitive game. It’s hard to blame them, as the triple option of Air Force confuses the best of teams, let alone a young rebuilding team like New Mexico. Tough losses like this one are going to happen but it’s important to minimize them. Now look for how New Mexico responds next game.
11) UNLV
Didn’t play this week due to Covid, but here is the write-up from last week:
Outside of Charles Williams at running back, there isn’t much going on for their offense. They mixed things up at quarterback again, but to no avail. It’s a trying season and although the Rebels continue to try each and every week, there isn’t much to point to right now.
12) Utah State
Didn’t play this week due to Covid, but here is the write-up from last week:
The Aggies have four lifeless losses and only a few hard-fought moments, let alone an entire game. They fired their coach and showed no signs of life in their first game without him. At this point, no team is counting down to the end of the season more than Utah State.