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The 2021 season is here and our team at Mountain West Connection will be releasing our bowl projections each week. For now, we will only be projecting Mountain West teams and what bowl game we think they will end up in. As the season progresses, we may add opponents. See below for this week’s predictions and be sure to join the discussion by posting your own in the comments section.
Mike
Los Angeles Bowl: Fresno State
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada
New Mexico Bowl: Air Force
Potato Bowl: San Jose State
Arizona Bowl: Utah State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Diego State
Lots of changes this week. I consider Fresno State and San Diego State the top two teams in the league and I consider the LA Bowl and Guaranteed rate Bowl to be the top two bowl games, which is why they are in those slots. Also, Boise State has dropped out and Utah State has been added in. Both of these moves reflect where the programs are currently at. Wyoming is my just missed team that I think qualifies for a bowl but it left without a home as of right now.
Willie
Los Angeles Bowl: Nevada
Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State
New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming
Potato Bowl: Utah State
Arizona Bowl: San Jose State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Diego State
Rudy
Los Angeles Bowl: Fresno State
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada
New Mexico Bowl: Utah State
Potato Bowl: Wyoming
Arizona Bowl: San Jose State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Diego State
Zach
Los Angeles Bowl: Fresno State
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada
New Mexico Bowl: Utah State
Potato Bowl: Boise State
Arizona Bowl: San Jose State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Diego State
I still think the Mountain West is looking at eight bowl-eligible teams. But decreased bowl games will leave some teams at home. Name recognition will matter. Unless Boise State shows significant growth, the Potato Bowl would be a smart move for both sides involved.
Adam
Los Angeles Bowl: Nevada
Hawaii Bowl: Fresno State
New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico
Potato Bowl: Boise State
Arizona Bowl: Wyoming
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Jose State
I agree with Zach, this conference could very well have 8-9 bowl-eligible teams come season’s end. The question will: how many will be invited?
Graham
Los Angeles Bowl: Fresno State
Hawaii Bowl: Nevada
New Mexico Bowl: Utah State
Potato Bowl: Air Force
Arizona Bowl: Boise State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Diego State
Alex
Los Angeles Bowl: Fresno State
Hawaii Bowl: San Jose State
New Mexico Bowl: Wyoming
Potato Bowl: Nevada
Arizona Bowl: Boise State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: San Diego State
After Fresno State’s performance against UCLA, it is fair to make them the favorite in the Mountain West at the moment. There is still a lot of time, and Boise State, Nevada, or San Jose State could reestablish themselves as favorites. But the Bulldogs look like the best team in the Mountain West at the moment and could be playing in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. Also, could you imagine where the Bulldogs would be in the rankings if they had beaten Oregon in week one? They could have established themselves as the second-best Group of 5 team behind Cincinnati and potentially made a run at a New Year’s Six bowl if everything went right.