Mountain West power ratings: Fresno State on top after Air Force loss; Hawaii climbs (yes, Hawaii)

The Bulldogs returned to the top spot after a victory over Boise State, but they face a difficult game this week at SJSU.

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.

(All times Pacific)

1. Fresno State (8-1/4-1)

Last week: 2
Result: beat Boise State 37-30
Next up: at San Jose State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: A berth in the MW title game hinges on the outcome Saturday night. Are we completely and utterly dismissing the possibility of a loss to New Mexico or San Diego State in the final fortnight? Yes. Yes, we are.

2. Air Force (8-1/5-0)

Last week: 1
Result: lost at Army 23-3
Next up: at Hawaii (8 p.m. on Spectrum Sports)
Comment: Absolutely shocking result against the Black Knights until you see the surreal turnover tally — Air Force 6, Army 0 — and then the score starts to make sense.

3. Boise State (4-5/3-2)

Last week: 3
Result: lost at Fresno State 37-30
Next up: vs. New Mexico (7 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: It might not last, so we should make note immediately: Boise State is looking up at UNLV in the standings. What’s next with this wild league, San Diego State in last place? Err …

4. Wyoming (6-3/3-2)

Last week: 4
Result: beat Colorado State 24-15
Next up: at UNLV (Friday, 7:45 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: From the department of Plays That Continue To Haunt, we present Air Force’s 58-yard touchdown run against the Cowboys with two minutes remaining in a tie game.

5. UNLV (7-2/4-1)

Last week: 5
Result: won at New Mexico 56-14
Next up: vs. Wyoming (Friday, 7:45 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Meet an upside surprise of the first order — a remarkable turnaround rooted in stellar coaching by Barry Odom, who should be on the short list for national awards.

6. San Jose State (4-5/3-2)

Last week: 6
Result: Did not play
Next up: vs. Fresno State (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: The Spartans had two weeks to prepare for Fresno State while the Bulldogs went to the wire with Boise State. Is that imbalance enough to affect the outcome Saturday night? Of course it is.

7. Colorado State (3-6/1-4)

Last week: 7
Result: lost at Wyoming 24-15
Next up: vs. San Diego State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Give us a minute while we check — yep, confirmed: The Rams are still in the bottom 10 nationally in every penalty-related statistic that’s tracked by the SportSource Analytics database.

8. Utah State (4-5/2-3)

Last week: 8
Result: won at San Diego State 32-24
Next up: vs. Nevada (12 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: Postseason clarity emerged for the Aggies following the big win at SDSU: Beat Nevada and New Mexico and a bowl bid awaits, regardless of the outcome against Boise State.

9. Hawaii (3-7/1-4)

Last week: 12
Result: won at Nevada 27-14
Next up: vs. Air Force (8 p.m. on Spectrum Sports)
Comment: Sure, that’s a significant week-over-week jump, but the Rainbow Warriors are no less worthy of this position than the teams slotted below.

10. Nevada (2-7/2-3)

Last week: 9
Result: lost to Hawaii 27-14
Next up: at Utah State (12 p.m. on MW Network)
Comment: The last best chance for a third victory dissolved in a stinkin’ mess of a first quarter against UH. Hello, 2-10.

11. San Diego State (3-6/1-4)

Last week: 11
Result: lost to Utah State 32-24
Next up: at Colorado State (4 p.m. on CBS Sports Network)
Comment: Just like the comment on UNLV, except the exact opposite.

12. New Mexico (3-6/1-4)

Last week: 10
Result: lost to UNLV 56-14
Next up: at Boise State (7 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: We can’t help but wonder if UNLV’s dramatic turnaround under Barry Odom will impact decisions on other MW campuses. Get the right man in place, and good things can happen.

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