Most teams have reached the halfway point in their schedule. Taking a look around the conference, it appears that the Big-three of TCU, BYU, and Utah are still the class of the Mountain West Conference.
Utah did have a genuine scare this weekend, but once again did just enough to beat their opponent. TCU also had a scare, but it really wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.
The really interesting team in the conference is Wyoming. If the Cowboys are really for real at 4-2 this season, then their game against Air Force will be their coming out party.
Here are the Week Six Power Rankings.
1) TCU—The Horned Frogs fell in the polls due to their performance against Air Force on the road. Obviously, many of the voters didn’t watch the game but rather just looked at the final score. The game was never really in doubt, and Air Force only made it close very late in the game. TCU did suffer from turnovers; however, Air Force is ranked first in the nation in forced turnovers.
The Colorado State game will be very interesting for the Horned Frogs, and should prove to be the most interesting game of the week. The Rams looked to finally take the next step in the conference, and take down one of the big-three teams. Yet, both teams have something to prove this weekend.
The Horned Frogs could slip up this weekend if they are looking ahead to their matchup in Provo against BYU.
Week Seven Schedule: Colorado State @ TCU
2) BYU— The Cougars did exactly what they were supposed to do on the road against a really bad UNLV team. The game was over after the first quarter. What was impressive for BYU is the fact that Harvey Unga looks healthy. Unga is already the best running back in the conference, and he is just now running healthy for the first time this season.
This week the Cougars will face the Aztecs on the road. This game should be over quickly, but it is important for BYU to not look ahead to their showdown with TCU the following week.
Week Seven Schedule: BYU @ San Diego State
3) Utah—A person could really look at the Utes’ win in a variety of ways. An optimist would see a first year JUCO quarterback leading his team back to victory, and getting major support from a talented defense. The Utes did what they need to do in order to win the game. A pessimist would see signs of weakness in this year’s Utah team and would credit the win more to Colorado State’s meltdown than Utah’s spectacular play.
For an offense which is still trying to find an identity since losing Matt Asiata, a trip to UNLV is perfect. The Utes will dominate this weekend, and will have plenty of confidence heading home for three straight home games.
Week Seven Schedule: Utah @ UNLV
4) Air Force—The three losses this season for the Falcons have been by a combined 13 points. Many people penalized TCU for playing a close game with Air Force, but the game really said more about Air Force. The Falcons could have just established themselves clearly as the best of the non-big-three.
The Cowboys are heading down to Colorado Springs. This is a must win for Air Force, they are clearly the better team on paper. A loss to Wyoming would really set back the Falcon’s season.
Week Seven Schedule: Wyoming @ Air Force
5) Wyoming— A win over New Mexico isn’t much to brag about. The Cowboys did win, and they did win by more than three touchdowns. The problem for the Pokes is that they could easily turn their 4-2 record into 5-7. The Cowboys still need to play the upper half of the Mountain West Conference in the second half of the season.
This weekend is very important in Wyoming’s quest to get the all important sixth win. Most likely Wyoming will beat San Diego State. Which means Air Force and Colorado State are the next most likely wins for the Pokes.
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