Fresno State’s non conference bout against Colorado comes a week after Mountain West teams went an unprecedented 1-7 against opposing competition. Nevada, Wyoming and UNLV were a field goal away from at least heading into overtime.
This week, no Mountain West team will face a ranked opponent, though two will play against Pac-12 schools. But which teams will bounce back from last week’s Mountain West showing? Read on… Air Force is idle this week… point spreads according to VegasInsider.com when applicable.
Washington State (1-1) at UNLV (0-2)
UNLV has had the rare luxury of starting the season with a four-game home-stand. They’ve also faced the misfortune of starting the season at 0-2. Both games were lost by a field goal. Tonight, the Rebels face the Pac-12’s Washington State.
The Cougars’ offense is host to familiar faces from the Central Valley. Quarterback Jeff Tuel””who has completed 70 percent of his passes””was part of the 2008 Clovis West team that captured the Division I Central Section championship. Highly touted receiver Marquess Wilson was a Tulare Union standout.
Coach Mike Leach’s air raid offense did not score in its season opener at Brigham Young. Tuel completed 20 of 26 for two touchdowns en route to a 24-20 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday. Will the Cougars’ pass oriented-offense reach flux capacity against a Rebels defense that has given up an average of 481 total yards per game? Washington State favored by 8.
Miami (OH) (1-1) at Boise State (0-1)
The Broncos enter Saturday’s matchup after being idle last week. Miami (OH), like Boise State, started the 2012 season with a loss to a ranked Big 10 opponent””56-10 to No. 18 Ohio State. The loss to Michigan State left Boise State unranked for the first time since the fourth week of the 2008 season.
A victory over Miami that is as decisive as the one foreshadowed in current spreads””along with a No. 25 BYU win next week (assuming its still ranked)””is the best chance for Boise State to reenter the Promised Land. Boise State favored by 21.
Cal Poly-SLO (1-0) at Wyoming (0-2)
Wyoming fell 34-31 to Toledo on Saturday at the hands of Rockets quarterback Terrance Owens’ 300 passing yards and four scores. The last time the Mustangs faced Fresno State in a 2010 non-league contest, they fell 38-17. Teams rated even.
New Mexico (1-1) at Texas Tech (2-0)
For the second week in a row, New Mexico faces a Texas school from the Big 12 Conference. For the second week in a row, New Mexico is also a 30-plus point underdog. Football Bowl Subdivision rankings have Texas Tech at No. 6 and No. 9 in passing yards and scoring, respectively.
The Red Raiders have aired it out for an average of 363 yards per game while scoring an average 51 points. Saturday’s matchup against New Mexico will be Texas Tech’s first game of the season that is not against a Football Championship Subdivision school. Texas Tech favored by 33.
Northwestern State (1-1) at Nevada (1-1)
Nevada was 38 seconds and a six-point lead away from escaping with a win at Reno’s Mackay Stadium. It was a game where sophomore quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for 271 yards while also rushing for another 134 on 18 carries. It was a game where Fajardo scored more touchdowns on the ground than through the air.
It goes to show that under coach Chris Ault’s pistol offense, there is always an extra running back to account for.
North Dakota (2-0) at San Diego State (1-1)
San Diego State showcased its offensive and defensive ability in its 45-7 blowout win over Army. The Aztecs allowed two Army players rush for over 100 yards, but held Black Knight quarterback Trent Steelman to three completions on eight attempts. San Diego State scored three touchdowns within three minutes in the third quarter.
The Aztecs face a North Dakota team that, at 2-0, has outscored its opponents 111-37. The Fighting Sioux almost upset Fresno State at home last year, losing 27-22.
Colorado State (1-1) at San Jose State (1-1)
It might be due to the low-scoring games, but Colorado State ranks near the bottom of FBS rankings in passing and rushing yards. The Rams beat Colorado (which plays Fresno State tomorrow at Bulldog Stadium) 22-17 in their season opener, and lost 22-7 at home to North Dakota State.
San Jose State almost pulled the upset over Stanford in its season opener, losing 20-17. The Spartans will join the Mountain West next season. San Jose State favored by 11.
Lamar (1-1) at Hawaii (0-1)
Hawaii, idle last week after suffering a 49-10 defeat against USC in its season opener, is one of four Mountain West schools playing against an FCS school this weekend. Hawaii will host Nevada next week to open its first season in the Mountain West (football only).