Last season, the Hotline published weekly “Best of the West” power ratings that considered not only Pac-12 teams but those in the Mountain West and Brigham Young. The exercise was so popular that we’re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.
1. Air Force (7-0, 4-0)
Last week: 1
Result: won at Navy 17-6
Next up: at Colorado State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Falcons jumped three spots in the AP poll after beating a .500 opponent. At that rate, they could enter the top 10 by the middle of November. (Psst: That rate won’t continue.)
2. Wyoming (5-2, 2-1)
Last week: 2
Result: did not play
Next up: at Boise State (2:30 p.m. on FS2)
Comment: In case you have lost track, Wyoming’s only losses are on the road to an undefeated team (Air Force) and on the road to the seventh-ranked team in the country (Texas).
3. Fresno State (6-1, 2-1)
Last week: 3
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. UNLV (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: One of the combatants Saturday night in The Valley is undefeated in conference play, and it’s not Fresno State. Who figured?
4. Boise State (3-4, 2-1)
Last week: 6
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. Wyoming (2:30 p.m. on FS2)
Comment: How times have changed: Boise State draws the 2:30 p.m. window on FS2 while Fresno State has the night slot on FS1.
5. UNLV (6-1, 3-0)
Last week: 8
Result: beat Colorado State 25-23
Next up: at Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: We are one UNLV win away from proclaiming Barry Odom the presumptive MW Coach of the Year winner. But that last step could take a few weeks.
6. San Jose State (3-5, 2-2)
Last week: 7
Result: beat Utah State 42-21
Next up: at Hawaii (9 p.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: SJSU’s performance is better than it looks given that the five losses are to teams (USC, Oregon State, Toledo, Air Force and Boise State) with a combined record of 29-8.
7. Colorado State (3-4, 1-2)
Last week: 4
Result: lost at UNLV 25-23
Next up: vs. Air Force (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Following a one-point win over Boise State and a two-point loss to UNLV, the Rams’ high-wire act heads down the highway for what should be an entertaining affair with the first-place Falcons.
8. Utah State (3-5, 1-3)
Last week: 5
Result: lost at San Jose State 42-21
Next up: idle
Comment: Too soon to count the Aggies out of the postseason with San Diego State, Nevada and New Mexico (plus Boise State) left on the schedule.
9. New Mexico (3-4, 1-2)
Last week: 11
Result: beat Hawaii 41-21
Next up: at Nevada (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Also not on the Hotline’s bingo card for this Mountain West season: Slotting New Mexico ahead of San Diego State in the power ratings.
10. San Diego State (3-5, 1-3)
Last week: 9
Result: lost to Nevada 6-0
Next up: idle
Comment: Time for SDSU to start considering changes to the offensive coaching staff in order to avoid eventual discussions about changing the head coach.
11. Hawaii (2-6, 0-3)
Last week: 10
Result: lost at New Mexico 42-21
Next up: vs. San Jose State (9 p.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: Five games left and no margin for error with the bowl math. Count us as just a tad skeptical.
12. Nevada (1-6, 1-2)
Last week: 12
Result: beat San Diego State 6-0
Next up: vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Hotline long ago ceased being surprised by results at any level of major college football. But goodness, gracious, 6-0 blew us away on so many levels.
