Mountaintop View 8-30-21. CFB Rankings, Spartans & Bulldogs dominate, Hawaii misfires, schedule update

It’s Monday and it’s game week! Week 0 is in the books and now we are officially in the midst of college football’s opening week! Three teams played (although one of those is up for debate) and the Mountain West Conference came away with two blowout victories.

For the first time in seemingly forever, all 12 Mountain West teams will be playing this week! Check out our links recapping the weekend and previewing the week. Plus, our original content.

Ranking every FBS team.

The Athletic releases their preseason rankings of all 130 FBS teams. Keep in mind this was released before games were played over the weekend. No MWC team until #31 (San Jose State), with Boise State and Nevada also in the top 40. Then a gigantic gap to #84, plus 4 more teams in the top 100. The conference is also in the back of the rankings, with teams at #113, #115, and UNLV at #123, ahead of only 7 teams.

Spartans win, now need to clean up.

San Jose State began 2021 playing like they did for most of 2020. The offense was humming right out of the gate and the defense limited Southern Utah to 0 points while on the field (they were not responsible for the lone score). However, with a big game against USC coming up, the Spartans want to clean some things up. Namely: not controlling time of possession, penalties, special teams miscues, and a pick-six.

Bulldogs dominant UConn in season-opener.

It was all smiles for Fresno State in their first game. Running back Ronnie Rivers became the all-time career touchdown leader in program history, wide receiver Jalen Cropper had a highlight reel 86-yard touchdown, and the defense actually scored first with a strip-sack returned for a TD. The offense put up 43 points and the defense pitched a shutout. As far as season-openers go, this one was as perfect as it could be.

Hawaii misfires out of the gate.

Things started out poorly for the Rainbow Warriors and then completely dismantled as the game went on. Hawaii fell behind 24-3 after only a quarter before being blown out with a final score of 44-10. Is UCLA that good this season or is Hawaii going to struggle this much on both sides of the ball? And an interesting strategy to give star player Calvin Turner Jr. only 5 touches on offense.

Hawaii Schedule Updates

Some PAC12 games and LOTS of games with New Mexico State.

MWC Covid Policy becomes official.

On the horizon:

• From the weekend: Don’t miss the game recaps from Hawaii and San Jose State.
• Later today: MWCConnection Players of the Week: Week 0
• Later today: A new MWC Recruiting Roundup, with the latest news and offers.
• Later today: Power Rankings: Week 0
• Coming Tuesday: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Week 0
• Coming Wednesday: Peak Perspective: Reviewing the 1st Year of the Mountain West Media Deal
• Coming Wednesday: Bowl Projections: Week 1