Mountain West Football Week Two: Previews, Picks, and Power Rankings

Week One record: 6-2

Week Two

The Yawners

Stephen F. Austin @ TCU: Sep. 6, 5:00 pm Mountain Time; TV: none

Winner: TCU

Following a convincing victory over the Lobos in Albuquerque, the Frogs get to flex their muscles against the FCS Lumberjacks in their home opener.

Sacramento St. @ Colorado St.: Sep. 6, 1:30 pm Mountain Time; TV: none

Winner: Colorado St.

The Rams will coast in their home opener against the FCS Hornets.

Could Be Mildly Intriguing

San Diego St. @ Notre Dame: Sep. 6, 1:30 pm Mountain Time; TV: NBC

Winner: Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish open the season against the dreadful Aztecs. It's nice to see a Mountain West team on national TV—usually.

Plan on Tuning In

UNLV @ Utah: Sep. 6, 6:00 pm Mountain Time; TV: the mtn

Winner: Utah

Head coach Kyle Whittingham called last year's 27-0 drubbing at the hands of the Rebels "the lowest point of his coaching career."  In front of a rabid and energized Ute fan base, expect to see a lopsided Ute victory.

Air Force @ Wyoming, Sep. 6, 1:30 pm Mountain Time; TV: CBS C

Winner: Wyoming

Look for the home field advantage and an opportunistic defense to give the Cowboys a close victory over the overmatched Falcons in Laramie.

Edge-of-Your-Seat Action

Texas A&M @ New Mexico: Sep. 6, 3:00 pm Mountain Time; TV: VERSUS

Winner: Texas A&M

The Aggies will come out and play inspired football after losing to Arkansas St. at Kyle Field in week one, but the Lobos won't go down without a fight.

Game of the Week

BYU @ Washington: Sep. 6, 1:00 pm Mountain Time; TV: Fox Sports Net

Winner: BYU

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall is one of the hottest coaches in the nation, having swept through the conference undefeated two consecutive years and finishing with a pair of 11-win seasons.

The one thing that has eluded him is an out-of-conference road win, suffering close losses at Notre Dame in 2005, at Arizona and at Boston College in 2006, and at UCLA and at Tulsa in 2007.  A vulnerable Husky team is just what the doctor ordered, although the health of Max Hall could be a concern.

Mountain West Power Rankings

1. BYU

2. Utah

3. TCU

4. Wyoming

5. Air Force

6. New Mexico

7. UNLV

8. Colorado St.

9. San Diego St.