Mountain West Conference Power Rankings: TCU Tops, Utah Holds No. 2, BYU No. 3
The Mountain West Conference as we know it will end after this season.
With just one week left, TCU has a scrimmage against New Mexico before it heads to another BCS game, solidifying its dominance of the MWC the past two years.
An interesting tidbit: In the six seasons since TCU joined the league, one team has gone undefeated through the conference slate all six seasons. Utah did it once, BYU twice and TCU thrice. In a conference with three teams lumped at the top year after year, that's a bit of a surprise.
So, as we reach the end of the status quo MWC, we review this week's Power Rankings...
Ryan Teeples runs BYUUtahRivalry.com and can be followed at twitter.com/ryanteeples
No. 9: New Mexico, UNLV, Wyoming and Colorado State
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Trying to determine which of these teams is best is like trying to find the best turd in the manure pile. So they're all in last place at No. 9.
Wyoming destroys CSU but loses to New Mexico. New Mexico beats Wyoming, but gets blasted by UNLV and CSU. UNLV beat the Lobos and Cowboys, but gets run off the field by the Rams.
Futility loves company, apparently. Sadly, these schools are victims of a TV contract that keeps them playing in complete anonymity, which has decimated recruiting.
So who's No. 5?
Nos. 3b and 3c: Air Force and San Diego State
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Air Force beat BYU, but lost to SDSU. SDSU lost to BYU. That leaves the rankings of Nos. 5 to 3 completely subjective.
Air Force has been impressive at times and lethargic at times. But in the end, the Falcons are back to the days of yore, winning eight games, finishing in the top half of the league and beating the crap out of the knees of everyone on their schedule.
The Aztecs, likewise, have been impressive. Losing a heartbreaker to Utah after piling up 600 yards of offense is painful, but SDSU players, coaches and fans (all 12 of them) should hold their heads high with a likely 8-4 record and a future that looks bright...if anyone will see it on The Mtn.
No. 3a: BYU
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The Cougars get the 3a spot because they appear to be playing their best football of the season, and look to have righted the offensive ship back to that of Cougars teams of the past five years.
This week will prove to be the defining one, as the Cougars take their newfound confidence to Salt Lake City for the big rivalry game.
We should find out whether BYU has gotten a lot better, or has simply played worse teams.
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No. 2: Utah
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The Utes stole one from the clutches of San Diego State and may have restored some of their lost confidence.
However, after giving up 600 yards of offense to the Aztecs, Utah faces a Cougars team that has been carving up defenses and has to like what it saw Saturday night.
And so we now have something on the line for The Rivalry Game this year: second place in the MWC.
No. 1: TCU
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You have to hand it to the Frogs—they have really built a program. Considering the school's small enrollment and lack of exposure due to The Mtn. TV contract, what Gary Patterson has done at TCU is astounding.
In the six seasons they have spent in the present MWC, the Horned Frogs raced through half of them undefeated (assuming a win over UNM next week).
It's sad this team likely won't get a chance at the national title game, because I think it could be the best team in the country.
Ryan Teeples runs BYUUtahRivalry.com and can be followed at twitter.com/ryanteeples
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
