Mountain West Conference Power Rankings: BYU Slides Again, SDSU Climbs

Seinfeld fans will remember a classic episode where Elaine tiptoes between normality and "Bizarro World," where everything is the opposite.

In some ways, this season is much the same. 

In 2010 Bizarro World, San Diego State is pretty good, while BYU appears to be severely underachieving and losing games it has no business dropping.

In the business-as-usual MWC, TCU and Utah lead the pack by a couple heads and are still on track for a classic collision.

Introductions out of the way, here are this week's rankings...

P.S. I know the photo is old. But there just weren't that many photos of Aggies getting over on Cougs in the system.

No. 9 New Mexico

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks throws a pass as he is pressured by defensive end Johnathan Rainey #88 of the New Mexico Lobos in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene,

It's bad in ABQ. The talent is nonexistent, and the intensity is at pillow-fight level.

But good news, Lobo fans: You've got the equally awful New Mexico State Aggies this week. Someone will have to win in Las Cruces.

Has there ever been a 0-0 game that is won in five overtimes on a fumble return for a touchdown?

No. 8 Colorado State

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 04: Head coach Steve Fairchild of the Colorado State Rams reacts after talking to quarterback Pete Thomas #4 as they face the Colorado Buffaloes in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 4, 2010 in Denve

A win against Idaho remains the high point in a rocky season. We'll find out how bad the Rams are when they play UNLV in two weeks. It's no laughing matter.

No. 7 UNLV

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Kevin Grimes #31 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack loses his helmet as Wolf Pack defenders tackle Bradley Randle #28 of the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Ethan M

If not for a terrible performance against Idaho, the Rebels might not look so bad, with losses against solid ranked teams.

Alas, that trip to Moscow remains a blemish keeping Nevada-Las Vegas in the No. 7 slot.

No. 5a Wyoming, No. 5b BYU

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PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 19: Cosmo the mascot of Brigham Young University Cougars gets the fans going before the game against the Florida State Seminoles at La Vell Edwards Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak via Getty

Cosmo and BYU fans are already angry after just reading the headline seeing Wyoming slotted above the Cougars in the rankings this week.

But the Cowboys earned a win this week on a cross-country trip and have "good losses" all around. They now boast a win against a mid-major team with a winning record. BYU looked simply awful against Utah State.

I love taking shots at the 'Pokes, but this week, the bragging rights are theirs.

No. 4 Air Force

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AIR FORCE ACADEMY, CO - NOVEMBER 11: Chad Hall #1 of the Air Force Falcons carries the ball 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. (Photo by B

For the second week in a row, the Falcons have looked sleepy against average competition. But they still own a great record, and their only loss is respectable.

Until they show us more impressive wins, though, they'll be stuck in the No. 4 spot.

No. 3 San Diego State

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 17: Tyler Holt #31 of BYU Cougars tries to stop Vincent Brown #80 of San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on October 17, 2009 in San Diego, California. BYU Cougars defeated the Aztecs 38-28 (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Image

The Aztecs may not have played a powerhouse schedule, but they continue to win the games in front of them.

You may think they get this spot this week because Air Force squeaked out a win. But it has more to do with the fact that they literally obliterated a Utah State team that dominated BYU.

No. 2 Utah

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Terrance Cain #7 of the Utah Utes celebrates his touchdown in the first 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 Ste

It's a bye week hold for the Utes. Iowa State may turn out to be a good test. They should win, but we just don't know much about Utah yet.

No. 1 TCU

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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)

TCU kind of sleepwalked through Colorado State this week, but who wouldn't, honestly? Andy Dalton and co. did nothing to lose the No. 1 spot this week.