mountain west

If you like points on the scoreboard this was your week, Mountain West fans! Wyoming and UNLV battled their way to a three overtime thriller in Las Vegas over the weekend that resulted in 135 points. The 135 points scored was the second most in division one history, third most in college football history. Weber State and Portland State hold the record with 141 points, the NCAA record is held by D2 Abilene Christian and West Texas A&M with 161. The Cowboys and Rebels nearly made history with their poor defense. Kurt Palandech accumulated 410 yards and four touchdowns in the game.

What this means for Wyoming and their chances at the Mountain West championship game? Well, it’s not looking great. For the Cowboys to get to the title game they will need to beat San Diego State at home and New Mexico on the road to get there without help. That’s basically the worst possible schedule to have if you want to do those things. They could also get help from UNLV and/or Air Force to beat Boise. The first one doesn’t seem too likely, the second one could happen. Boise on the road at Air Force has potential disaster written all over it. Basically, Wyoming needs to take care of business the next two weeks because help likely isn’t coming.

New Mexico, on the other hand, could also find themselves in the Mountain West championship game if somehow they can beat Colorado State and Wyoming, and hope for a Boise State in one of their two last games. Boise State, for them to get into the title game, just needs Wyoming to lose one more game and the Broncos to win out.

But don’t worry about San Diego State, they wrapped up the significantly weaker West division last weekend. UNLV is the only team near them in the division race, three games behind.

In other Mountain West news, Brian Hill and Donnel Pumphrey keep piling up rushing yards. Pumphrey ranks first in rushing yards, Hill checks in at number three. Pumphrey claimed this weekend on Twitter that San Diego State has the three best running backs in the Mountain West. Hill didn’t take too kindly to that.

https://twitter.com/Pumphrey6K/status/797705808737751040

Should be a great match-up in Laramie next weekend.

To cap off the week Air Force was a winner over Colorado State at the Academy this weekend. The Falcons will also get to hold the Ram/Falcon Trophy this year. Rough year for the Rams, lost both of their trophies and are closing their stadium with a team who is pretty good. San Diego State and Boise State took care of business in pretty convincing fashion this weekend against Hawaii and Nevada.

Scores

Wyoming 66
UNLV 69

Boise State 52
Hawaii 16

New Mexico 24
Utah State 21

Colorado State 46
Air Force 49

San Diego State 46
Nevada 16

Mountain West Player of the Week

UNLV quarterback Kurt Palandech is this week’s Mountain West player of the week. Palandech was 20/32 for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown as the Rebels defeated Wyoming 69-66.

Mountain West MVP Candidates

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State. 26 carries, 198 yards, 1 touchdown.
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming. 23 carries, 119 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State. 18/22, 338 yards and four touchdowns, 14 yards rushing, 1 touchdown.

Mountain West Power Rankings

1. San Diego State
2. Wyoming
3. Boise State
4. New Mexico
5. Air Force
6. Colorado State
7. Hawaii
8. UNLV
9. Nevada
10. Utah State
11. San Jose State
12. Fresno State

Looking Ahead to Week 12

UNLV and Boise State will kick off the week 11 schedule for the Mountain West as they’ll lock horns on Friday night on ESPN. San Diego State and Wyoming will face off in Laramie in what could be a preview to the Mountain West championship game on CBSSN. Utah State will head to Nevada and will be on ESPN3. Hawaii flies to the mainland to take on Fresno State in this week’s pillow fight. New Mexico and Colorado State will close down Hughes Stadium on Saturday night on ESPN2. The night cap on CBSSN will be Air Force heading to the coast to take on San Jose State.

Final Thoughts and Hot Takes

– Rough weekend to be Matt Wells, eh?

– Take the points, man. They won’t bite, I swear. Might’ve even won the game too!

– Wyoming.. UNLV. Gotta play some defense, guys! I mean, I’m all about seeing ridiculous games and as much chaos as possible, can’t be havin’ those kinds of games.

– Kurt Palandech looked pretty good in his first start this season, 410 yards is pretty good.

– No change in bowl eligible teams this week, Colorado State needs one more win its last two games to get eligible. UNLV needs two wins in its final two. Hawaii needs two wins in its final two games. Hawaii could do it with games at Fresno State and home vs UMass. UNLV has to beat Boise and UNLV. Colorado State has a tough road left, vs New Mexico, at San Diego State. They’ll definitely have to earn their six wins.

– Hot take prediction: UNLV will win 6-7 games next season.