Last season, the Hotline published weekly ‘Best of the West’ 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’re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.
Boise State and San Diego State make two. Will there be others?
The Mountain West coaching carousel began spinning Sunday morning when Boise State announced the dismissal of third-year coach Andy Avalos … with the Broncos smack in the middle of the conference championship race.
San Diego State followed with news of its own on Monday morning, announcing that 65-year-old coach Brady Hoke would retire at the end of the season — a classy way for Hoke to end his career without the Aztecs having to execute a public termination.
So two of the 12 schools have vacancies, and we believe there will be more.
Nevada and New Mexico could make changes, as well.
And there’s always a chance of one or more coaches leaving voluntarily, either to retire or take another job.
So buckle up for the next six weeks. With the regular season ending, the transfer portal opening and the early signing window looming, it could be a wild stretch in the Mountain West.
To the power ratings …
(All times Pacific)
1. UNLV (8-2/5-1)
Last week: 5
Result: beat Wyoming 34-14
Next up: at Air Force (12:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: An odd situation in that three of the top four teams in the power ratings lost; nor have we ever elevated a team from fifth to first in a single week. But the ratings are subjective, and nobody is playing better than the Rebels at the moment.
2. Boise State (5-5/4-2)
Last week: 3
Result: beat New Mexico 42-14
Next up: at Utah State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The timing of the Avalos dismissal is both unusual (after a big win) and risky: The disruption could cost Boise State a chance to win the conference.
3. Fresno State (8-2/4-2)
Last week: 1
Result: lost at San Jose State 42-18
Next up: vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: The path into the MW championship game was wide and clear. Now, it’s muddled. The Bulldogs should win out but must navigate the one-loss teams ahead of them. (They need Air Force to beat UNLV.)
4. Air Force (8-2/5-1)
Last week: 2
Result: lost at Hawaii 27-13
Next up: vs. UNLV (12:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Can’t believe there have been many crazier weeks in MW history, not just with the results but the size of the upsets.
5. San Jose State (5-5/4-2)
Last week: 6
Result: beat Fresno State 42-18
Next up: vs. San Diego State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Spartans better beat SDSU to secure a bowl berth, because UNLV looms in the finale (on the road). And that is anything but a guaranteed win.
6. Wyoming (6-4/3-3)
Last week: 4
Result: lost at UNLV 34-14
Next up: vs. Hawaii (11 a.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: After Hawaii, the Cowboys face Nevada — so an eight-win season is well within their grasp. And which Wyoming fans wouldn’t have taken 8-4 before the season began? None of them.
7. Colorado State (4-6/2-4)
Last week: 7
Result: beat San Diego State 22-19
Next up: vs. Nevada (12 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: Another team with the postseason in reach as the Rams merely need to beat Nevada and Hawaii to clinch a berth. The MW could finish with more bowl-eligible teams than the Pac-12.
8. Utah State (5-5/3-3)
Last week: 8
Result: beat Nevada 41-24
Next up: vs. Boise State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Another team on the brink: Beat New Mexico in the finale, and the Aggies will be eligible for the sixth consecutive year (excluding 2020).
9. Hawaii (4-7/2-4)
Last week: 9
Result: beat Air Force 27-13
Next up: at Wyoming (11 a.m. on Spectrum)
Comment: Not much surprises us these days. Hawaii’s 14-point win over Air Force was the exception … until we saw the Falcons had four turnovers.
10. Nevada (2-8/2-4)
Last week: 10
Result: lost at Utah State 41-24
Next up: at Colorado State (12 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: Because of the transfer portal in early December and the early signing period in the middle of the month, schools cannot afford to wait on coaching changes. If the Wolf Pack makes a move, it will likely happen before Thanksgiving.
11. San Diego State (3-7/1-5)
Last week: 11
Result: lost at Colorado State 22-19
Next up: at San Jose State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: With the expanded College Football Playoff and guaranteed access for the best Group of Five team, the SDSU job should have considerable appeal.
12. New Mexico (3-7/1-5)
Last week: 12
Result: lost at Boise State 42-14
Next up: at Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Our advice: Sell stock in defensive coordinators hired away from Pac-12 schools to coach their alma maters in the MW.
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