Mountain West Football Power Rankings: TCU and Utah On Course For Epic Showdown

It's time for this week's installment of the Mountain West Conference Power Rankings. We've got little movement at the top, but some teams spiraling uncontrollably southward. 

After this week's blowout wins, close losses and poor showings across the league, we rank 'em, 9 to 1 (9 being "as bad as a Craig Thompson in your face" and 1 being "as good as Bacon-Bits on a slice of Bacon," for you Jim Gaffigan fans out there.)

#9: Colorado State

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 04: Wide receiver Scotty McKnight #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes follows a block as he makes a reception against the Colorado State Rams in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 4, 2010 in Denver, Colora

Colorado State

The competition for last place in the Mountain West Conference this year is going to be fierce. This week, 0-3 Colorado State played its way into the bottom spot with an egg-laying performance against Miami (The Ohio Variety) that Mother Goose couldn't hold a beak to. 

The Rams haven't shown anything more than a nudge this year in three lopsided losses. None of them against ranked teams.

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#8: UNLV

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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Omar Clayton #2 of the UNLV Rebels looks to pass against the Wisconsin Badgers during the third quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium September 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wisconsin won 41-21. (Photo by Ethan

Nevada-Las Vegas

The Rebels got smeared by WAC powerhouse Idaho Saturday. Losing to Wisconsin and Utah aren't bad, but no MWC team should be losing to Idaho. 

The bad news for the Rebels is they have Nevada, West Virginia and TCU in the next 5 weeks, which should keep them firmly in the bottom three.

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#7: New Mexico

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Wide receiver Drew Davis #10 of the Oregon Ducks eludes the tackle of linebacker Joe Stoner #39 of the New Mexico Lobos and heads up the field with a pass reception in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on Septembe

New Mexico

The Lobos haven't done anything to earn the #7 spot, but rather, get it by virtue of having lost to better teams than UNLV and CSU. 

So far, the highlight of New Mexico's season is holding Texas Tech to 52 points. 

I think I speak for all of College Football when I say there's no more compelling matchup this week than New Mexico at UNLV. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#6: Wyoming

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BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Tailback Demetrius Sumler #8 of the Colorado Buffaloes fumbles the ball after it was knocked away by Marcell Gipson #2 of the Wyoming Cowboys which was recovered by teammate Scotty McKnight to score a first quarter touchdown a

Wyoming

Week 1 saw the Cowbows barely slip past FCS opponent Southern Utah. But that was as good as it got. 

We give the Pokes some credit for playing a brutal schedule, losing to Texas in Austin and Boise State in Laramie. 

But the 'Boys didn't give either team much of a fight. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#5: BYU

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PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 3: Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the Boston College Eagles tackles wide receiver Nathan Meikle #31 of the Brigham Young Cougars by the helmet on September 3, 2005 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. (Photo by George F

Brigham Young University

It's going to upset some BYU fans to see the beloved Cougars below the SDSU Aztecs in this week's poll, but the Y has shown nothing in the last two games to indicate they're righting the ship. 

Riley Nelson's shoulder injury has put Jake Heaps into the permanent starting position, but games upcoming against Nevada, SDSU and TCU will be tough for teeth-cutting. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#4 San Diego State

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 7: Wide receiver DeMarco Sampson #1 of the San Diego State Aztecs reacts after making a touchdown catch against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 7, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. TCU won

San Diego State

The Aztecs impressed in two easy wins, but were equally impressive in a heart-breaking loss at Missouri. 

With an outstanding young running back in freshman Ronnie Hillman, SDSU may be bowling this year for the first time in a long time. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#3 Air Force

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AIR FORCE ACADEMY, CO - NOVEMBER 11: Adam Zanotti #10 of the Air Force Falcons walks on the field during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 11, 2006 at Falcon Stadium on the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Phot

Air Force

Like the Aztecs, the Falcons had impressive wins in weeks 1 and 2, and showed they are legitimate contenders in a close loss to an Oklahoma team that's been very impressive. 

The Zoomies have a favorable schedule and may be the best candidates for derailing Utah or TCU's BCS runs. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#2 Utah

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 19: Shaky Smithson #1 of the Utah Utes heads upfield as he runs back a kick in the 1st quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 31-24. (Photo by Stev

University of Utah

Nationally ranked Utah boasts, well, a #13 ranking, but is probably the most unknown commodity in the conference. 

The Utes knocked off then #15 Pittsburgh in overtime on the first week of the season, and followed it up with two easy wins against the collective stinky feet of the conference

By the way, who in Utah's athletic office was paying off MWC schedulers to get such a favorable conference slate? Who wouldn't love to shake off the rust by beating up on two cupcakes. 

We may learn more about the Utes when Pittsburgh plays Miami this week. We won't learn anything from Utah itself, as they play yet another patsy in San Jose State. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

#1 TCU

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 04: Kicker Ross Evans #37 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Cowboys Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Texas Christian

One thing we know for sure; the Horned Frogs are good. 

Fourth ranked TCU absolutely blasted Baylor last week, but still have yet to play away from home this season. 

Fortunately for them, they really won't be tested until they travel to Salt Lake City on November 6 for a showdown against the Utes which could have national title implications. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.