Mountain West Power Rankings: BYU Unmoving, SDSU Impressive, TCU Still Leading

This week's Mountain West Conference Power Rankings offer a unique treat: They're set to music!

Like an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, each team's ranking comes with a built-in soundtrack that also serves to describe its status quo.

So dredge up those high school and college memories, break out the black light poster, and enjoy as we sing our way through the MWC...

No. 9: New Mexico

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Wide receiver Josh Huff #4 of the Oregon Ducks breaks the tackle of a couple of New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 72-0. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

"That Smell"

In 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd asked: "Ooh ooh that smell...Can't you smell that smell?"

The most pungent smell these days is coming from the rotting lobo carcass in Albuquerque.

In the battle for last place in the MWC on Saturday, New Mexico put up little resistance to UNLV, losing 45-10 to a team that couldn't muster any offense in three games prior.

So for that, the dead lobos walking take ninth.

No. 8: UNLV

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 04: UNLV Rebels head coach Bobby Hauck watches his team warm up before their game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Sam Boyd Stadium September 4, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wisconsin won 41-21. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"Once in a Lifetime (Same As It Ever Was)"

I'm sure the Rebels are riding high this week. But let's keep this win in perspective.

They beat New Mexico at home. The Lobos are probably the worst team in all of Division I-A this year and would probably be middling at best in the FCS.

So while we applaud UNLV for getting the job done, we think the Talking Heads epic applies here, and the win may have been a one-time thing.

No. 7: Wyoming

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Brian Lockridge #20 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Marcell Gipson #2 of the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on September 19, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. The Buffaloes defeated the Cowboys 24-0. (Photo by

"Close to You"

Based on their intensity of play, the Carpenters seem like a perfect match for the Cowboys this week. The Cowboys gave Air Force a scare and had them on the ropes in Laramie (just landing in Laramie puts you on the ropes).

But the Pokes ended up blowing the lead, and the Academy snuck out with a win.

These days, everyone longs to be close to the Cowboys and the easy Ws they offer.

No. 6: Colorado State Rams

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Ricky Brewer #56 of the Colorado State Rams is prepared to face the Colorado Buffaloes during the Rocky Mountain Showdown at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 4, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. Colorado was awarded the C

"Break on Through"

The Doors released this gem in 1967, and like Jim Morrison and his boys, the Rams have looked lethargic and eyes-glazed-over most of the season.

However, Saturday they were able to "break through" and win a game against Idaho at home. Their last victory? Over a year ago on September 19, 2009.

For this breakthrough, we give the Rams earn the No. 6 spot...for now.

No. 5: BYU

Jacob de Golish/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 17:JJ Di Luigi #10 of BYU Cougars runs the ball against San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on October 17, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images)

"Complicated"

After four consecutive 10-win seasons, things were bound to get tough in Provo. Yet even the most optimistic Ute and Cowboy fans wouldn't have forseen things this rough.

There are dozens of factors leading to the Cougars' poor play this season, including bad coaching calls, depletion of talent and depth, tough schedule, and poor execution.

As such, the Avril Lavigne anthem of teenage angst applies here.

No. 4: San Diego State

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 7: Quarterback Ryan Lindley #14 of the San Diego State Aztecs throws a pass over defensive end Wayne Daniels #96 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 7, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Pho

"Dreams (Higher and Higher)"

We'll get higher and higher
Straight up we'll climb
We'll get higher and higher
Leave it all behind

These were the lyrics from the 1986 Van Halen song that could be the marching cry of the Aztecs this season.

With three wins and a close loss to their name, the boys from San Diego keep drawing eyes and look like they may "leave it all behind"...their losing ways, that is.

No. 3: Air Force

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - JULY 12: Spanish airforce jets fly over Plaza Cibeles during the victory parade following Spain's FIFA World Cup victory on July 12, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

"Flirtin' with Disaster"

Molly Hatchet stole many radio dials across the South and in Wyoming in 1980 with their hit song.

This week, Air Force did indeed flirt with disaster, needing a come-from-behind win to beat a cow-pie awful Wyoming team.

A trip to Toledo this week could be dangerous for the Zoomies.

No. 2: Utah

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Jordan Wynn #3 of the Utah Utes reacts in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

"Your Time Is Gonna Come"

The Utes got little resistance from WAC doormat San Jose State this week. Still, it's hard not to be impressed by the efficiency with which the Utes are operating.

Just as Led Zeppelin predicted in their 1969 song, the Utes' breeze of a schedule will eventually develop into a stiffer wind. After a few near-automatic wins over the next few weeks, the Utes then face a gauntlet of Air Force, TCU, Notre Dame, SDSU, and BYU to close the season.

No. 1: TCU

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 24, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

"On the Road Again"

For the first time this season, the Horned Frogs played away from home. Well, sort of. They traveled across town and whipped up on old rival SMU after a slow start.

This week marks TCU's first game outside the state of Texas, as they play at Colorado State. I'm guessing, however, that Willie Nelson wasn't speaking of Fort Collins when he twanged, "I just can't wait to get on the road again."