The Mountain West released the football schedule late last week and now we know when and where the Pokes will do battle on the gridiron next season. Remember the days when the Mountain West would not release the conference slate until late spring or even early summer? I sure do and I am glad that practice is no longer in play as it gives us a chance to breakdown every little nuisance of the schedule ad nauseam through these slow spring and summer months. For those who missed it the schedule for 2012 is as follows:

Sat., Sept. 1 – at Texas
Sat., Sept. 8 – TOLEDO
Sat., Sept. 15 – CAL POLY
Sat., Sept. 22 – at Idaho
Sat., Sept. 29 – OPEN
Sat., Oct. 6 – at Nevada
Sat., Oct. 13 – AIR FORCE
Sat., Oct. 20 – at Fresno State
Sat., Oct. 27 – BOISE STATE
Sat., Nov. 3 – COLORADO STATE
Sat., Nov. 10 – at New Mexico
Sat., Nov. 17 – at UNLV
Sat., Nov. 24 – SAN DIEGO STATE

At first glance the only game that looks out of reach is the opener on the road versus Texas. All the other games could go Wyoming’s way if the Cowboys play like we know they can. I add Boise State onto the list as a possible win because who knows how they will look with the departure of Kellen Moore who has guided the Broncos the past 4 years. Lady luck has been on their side for far too long, perhaps she will pick a new school support (just as well be Wyoming!).

Other things of note about the schedule include a month off between home games which is less than ideal. Cal Poly comes to town on September 15th and the Pokes are not at the War again until October 13th versus the Air Force with two road games and a bye week in-between. The Border War has also been moved from the last slot of the season to the weekend of November 3rd. This is a poor move and rivalry games should be played at the end of the season. I don’t buy this idea of competitive balance that the league office is spouting. Find a way to make these games happen at the end of the year.

How do you like this year’s schedule?