{"id":119400,"date":"2023-09-29T01:20:48","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T01:20:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leviolonrouge.com\/?p=119400"},"modified":"2023-09-29T01:20:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T01:20:48","slug":"mw-power-ratings-fresno-state-on-top-as-air-force-jumps-sdsu-falls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leviolonrouge.com\/sports\/mw-power-ratings-fresno-state-on-top-as-air-force-jumps-sdsu-falls\/","title":{"rendered":"MW power ratings: Fresno State on top as Air Force jumps, SDSU falls"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, the Hotline published weekly \u2018Best of the West\u2019 power ratings that considered not only Pac-12 teams but those in the Mountain West and Brigham Young. The exercise was so popular that we\u2019re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.<\/em><\/p>\n

Quick thought before diving into the power ratings:<\/p>\n

With Boise State and San Diego State sitting on multiple losses, the Mountain West is lacking marquee matchups for the conference season.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a bad year for Fresno State and Air Force \u2014 the only remaining undefeated teams \u2014 to miss each other.<\/p>\n

(All times Pacific)<\/p>\n

1. Fresno State (4-0)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 1
\nResult:<\/strong> beat Kent State 53-10
\nNext up:<\/strong> vs. Nevada (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
\nComment:<\/strong> The 29-0 win at Arizona State was impressive at the time and looks even better after the Sun Devils pushed USC deep into the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

2. Air Force (4-0\/2-0)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 3
\nResult:<\/strong> won at San Jose State 45-20
\nNext up:<\/strong> vs. San Diego State (5 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
\nComment:<\/strong> The Falcons are currently averaging 240.5 rushing yards per game, which is high even for them and 70 yards \u2014 70! \u2014 clear of the No. 2 team (Liberty).<\/p>\n

3. Wyoming (3-1)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 2
\nResult:<\/strong> beat Appalachian State 22-19
\nNext up:<\/strong> vs. New Mexico (1 p.m. on MW Network)
\nComment:<\/strong> Don\u2019t underestimate the victory over App State, which pushed No. 15 North Carolina to overtime. It\u2019s one of the MW\u2019s best four or five non-conference wins of the season.<\/p>\n

4. Boise State (2-2\/1-0)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 4
\nResult:<\/strong> won at San Diego State 34-31
\nNext up:<\/strong> at Memphis (1 p.m. on ESPN2)
\nComment:<\/strong> Memphis has one loss, to Missouri, but no quality wins, average quarterback play and a mediocre defense. The best versions of Boise State would make just enough plays in the second half to leave Grind City with a victory. Does this edition qualify? We shall see.<\/p>\n

5. Colorado State (1-2)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 7
\nResult:<\/strong> won at Middle Tennessee State 31-23
\nNext up:<\/strong> vs. Utah Tech (4 p.m. on MW Network)
\nComment:<\/strong> How perspective shifts with each passing Saturday: The blowout loss to Washington State doesn\u2019t look quite as bad; the overtime loss to Colorado looks worse.<\/p>\n

6. San Jose State (1-4\/0-1)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 5
\nResult:<\/strong> lost to Air Force 45-20
\nNext up:<\/strong> idle (then: at Boise State)
\nComment:<\/strong> When the schedule became official, we viewed SJSU\u2019s bye as a week or two early for optimal benefit. In real time, it looks darn close to perfect.<\/p>\n

7. Utah State (1-3\/0-1)<\/h3>\n

Last week:<\/strong> 6
\nResult:<\/strong> lost to James Madison 45-38
\nNext up:<\/strong> at UConn (9 a.m. on CBS Sports Network)
\nComment:<\/strong> There is no shame in losing to James Madison \u2014 none, zero, zip. There would be piles of shame if the Aggies lose to UConn.<\/p>\n

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