Week ten of the Mountain West is wrapped and we’re inching close to the finish line and the Mountain West championship game. San Diego State has its spot in the title game all but wrapped up with another win this weekend. The Aztecs absolutely demolished a recently surging Hawaii football team. The race in the Mountain division of the conference is still very much up for grabs. All of the Mountain teams are still alive for the title game, however, Wyoming owns the tie breaker over all of them except New Mexico, who they haven’t played yet.
Air Force wrapped up the Commander-in-Chief trophy this weekend by dismantling Army at West Point this weekend. The Falcons took control of the game in the second quarter and dominated from there on out. Arion Worthman filled in nicely for injured quarterback Nate Romine. Jacobi Owens and Jalen Robinette made Worthman’s transition into action much easier by having terrific games.
Colorado State shut out Fresno State this weekend. The Rams are looking like a much different team that was humiliated at home by Wyoming a few weeks ago. The Rams are seeing a resurgence with Nick Stevens back in the lineup. Since his return he’s thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions. Granted, Fresno State is not a good football team, but the Rams completely owned that game from start to finish.
New Mexico is also quietly putting together a nice season. This weekend they took down a pesky Nevada team at home. Teriyon Gipson had a 121 yard rushing effort as the Lobos rushed for 373 yards against one of the worst rushing defenses in the conference. Four different Lobo running backs had touchdowns in this game. Nevada got a good effort from Ty Gangi, but the Wolfpack was definitely outgunned in this game.
Scores
San Jose State 31
Boise State 45
Air Force 31
Army 12
Fresno State 0
Colorado State 37
Utah State 28
Wyoming 52
Hawaii 0
San Diego State 55
Nevada 26
New Mexico 35
Mountain West Player of the Week
Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen is the Mountain West player of the week this week. Allen was 16-26, 261 and four touchdowns. Allen also rushed for 66 yards and a score in the Cowboys’ win over Utah State on Saturday night.
Mountain West MVP Candidates
Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State. 21 carries, 112 yards.
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming. 25 carries, 142 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State. 16/21, 219 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Thomas Sperbeck, WR, Boise State. 2 receptions, 9 yards.
Mountain West Power Rankings
1. San Diego State
2. Wyoming
3. Boise State
4. New Mexico
5. Colorado State
6. Air Force
7. Hawaii
8. Nevada
9. Utah State
10. San Jose State
11. UNLV
12. Fresno State
Looking Ahead to Week 11
Wyoming will get the week started with a 1:00 kickoff against UNLV in Las Vegas. Boise State will head to the islands to take on Hawaii, which can be seen on CBS Sports. New Mexico will go on the road to take on the Utah State Aggies. That game will be an 8:15 kickoff on ESPN2. Colorado State will head down the interstate to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force. That is also an 8:15 kickoff that can be seen on ESPNU. The final game of the night will be San Diego State taking on Nevada in Reno.
Final Thoughts and Hot Takes
– San Diego State pitching a 55-0 shutout of Hawaii was somewhat surprising. Hawaii played pretty terribly, and the Aztecs just abused the Hawaii front seven.
– I’m guessing that Boise State found San Jose State to be a pretty pesky team. The Spartans did not look like a cellar dwelling team despite the fact they pretty much are. I don’t know if Ron Caragher will keep his job after the season is over, but the Spartans have definitely not quit on the season.
– Good on Air Force for bringing the CiC trophy back to the Academy. It’s been a while since they’ve won the trophy. Basically had to wait for Keenan Reynolds to graduate.
– Wyoming’s Josh Allen has the makings of being a really good quarterback over the next two plus years. What a terrific athlete and a great arm to go with it.
– I’m glad the Mountain West is not the MAC and has regular season games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge #MACtion advocate, however, I’m glad it’s someone else.
– The Mountain West currently has three running backs in the top 10 in rushing yards, Donnel Pumphrey (1), Brian Hill (3), and Jeremy McNichols (4). McNichols, Hill, and Pumphrey are also all in the top 10 in rushing touchdowns as well. Not too shabby for a conference recovering from years of high octane passing attacks.