By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
Week 4 within the Mountain West brings us two extra convention video games and a few nonconference matchups in opposition to energy convention opponents.
Colorado hosts Wyoming, whereas California travels to San Diego State.
The convention presently sits 2-1 in dwelling video games in opposition to members of the ability conferences. We are going to see if SDSU can push that mark to 3-1.
There are additionally some fascinating matchups in opposition to fellow group of 5 members from the MAC and C-USA.
A type of video games sees UNLV head east to face Miami College because the Rebels will attempt to lengthen their 5 recreation street non-conference profitable streak.
All informed, we’ve got 9 video games on the schedule. I spotlight the six most intriguing of them right here.
UNLV Rebels at Miami (OH) RedHawks
Saturday, September 20
9:00 AM PT, ESPNU
Line: UNLV –2.5
Over/Beneath: 48.5
The Rebels enter the sport 3-0 after knocking off UCLA two weeks in the past. That was UNLV’s first win over a Large Ten staff since 2003.
It was additionally the primary time this season UNLV seemed just like the model we thought we’d see this season, and even then it was just for a half.
The Rebels let the Bruins again in it within the second half and held on for the win, and let’s face it, UCLA isn’t wanting like world beaters in the intervening time.
So, this one is hard. At first look, you suppose UNLV will win it simply—the RedHawks are 0-2 after falling at Wisconsin and Rutgers—however I’m not so positive.
Miami of Ohio has been to a bowl recreation every of the final 5 seasons and has been eligible in eight of the final 9. That is good, established program. Additionally, the early kickoff may very well be problematic for the Rebels.
In opposition to the Badgers, the Miami offense by no means received going and in opposition to the Knights the protection gave up too many performs. In every recreation the RedHawks allowed over 160 yards on the bottom.
UNLV enters this one working the ball for 201 per outing after averaging over 4.6 yards per carry in opposition to UCLA. That floor assault may very well be the distinction.
And let’s not neglect about Anthony Colandrea. The junior QB has seemed very sharp this season and was crisp in opposition to the Bruins. If Miami appears to load up the field, the Rebels will beat them with the move.
UNLV wants to scrub up the penalties. They’re probably the most penalized staff within the nation this season, with 104 penalty yards per recreation. They doubtless gained’t be capable of hold profitable video games like that, however thus far, they’ve.
I feel they are going to win one other one to enhance to 4-0—and ideally, for his or her sake, this one is a little bit cleaner.
In opposition to the unfold: UNLV
Factors Complete: Beneath
Outright winner: UNLV
Boise State Broncos at Air Power Falcons
Saturday, September 20
4:00 PM PT, CBSSN
Line: Boise State –10
Over/Beneath: 51.5
This one is the convention opener for the Broncos whereas the Falcons dip into MW motion for the second consecutive week.
And for the primary time this season, Boise State will play on a Saturday. The truth is, when you return to final season, this snaps a streak of 5 straight non-Saturday video games for Boise State.
That will get our enjoyable truth out of the way in which. As for the motion on the sphere, the Broncos have an excessive amount of on offense for the Falcons to deal with.
Air Power enters the sport having given up 473 yards and eight.45 yards per play within the loss to Utah State.
Boise State presently has the Seventeenth-best offense within the nation, producing 507.5 yards per recreation. The Broncos have additionally been balanced with their assault. Maddux Madsen has been extremely environment friendly this season for Boise.
Even within the loss to USF, when he missed just a few passes, he took care of the soccer. The truth is, his streak of 220 consecutive passes in street video games with out an interception is the longest such streak within the FBS.
Boise State has allowed simply 117 yards on the bottom in every of its first two video games. Air Power will get the bottom assault going, however it isn’t going to come back simple.
The Falcons might want to drive turnovers to have an opportunity, one thing they didn’t do in opposition to USU. If Air Power is minus-3 within the TO division once more this week, the competition get out of hand in a rush.
The Broncos are 12-2 all-time in MW openers, and they’re going to finish their time within the convention with one other 1-0 begin to convention play.
In opposition to the unfold: Boise State
Factors Complete: Beneath
Outright winner: Boise State
UTSA Roadrunners at Colorado State Rams
Saturday, September 20
6:30 PM PT FS1
Line: UTSA –4.5
Over/Beneath: 59.5
UTSA comes into this one with a win over Incarnate Phrase after falling to Texas A&M and Texas State. Colorado State fell at Washington earlier than a slim win over Northern Colorado final week.
Whereas the sport may not transfer the needle within the nationwide narrative, it may supply a number of pleasure, with two of the higher quarterbacks within the Group of 5 going head-to-head.
Whereas UTSA employs a run-first offense and is averaging 215.7 yards per recreation on the bottom—Twenty seventh-best within the nation—the Roadrunners will not be averse to placing it within the air.
Once they have thrown it this season, Owen McCown has been spectacular. The previous Colorado QB is slinging it for nearly 200 yards per recreation and has but to throw an interception.
CSU may also wish to get the bottom recreation going together with their air assault. In Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, the Rams ought to have a QB greater than able to spreading the ball across the discipline, although he has struggled to search out his rhythm this season.
Ought to the veteran QB proceed to wrestle, the Rams may flip the offense over to Jackson Brousseau, who received reps with the primary staff through the bye week.
Both means, it’s a recreation wherein the Rams must move successfully to win. UTSA has allowed 300.3 passing yards per recreation this season; solely 4 faculties have been worse thus far this yr.
If the Rams can’t get the passing recreation going, this one turns right into a slog, and I’m not positive they are going to be capable of unleash all of it season.
Nonetheless, I feel Fowler-Nicolosi rebounds and finds his kind because the Rams get a much-needed dwelling win in a enjoyable one.
In opposition to the unfold: Colorado State
Factors Complete: Over
Outright winner: Colorado State
Wyoming Cowboys at Colorado Buffaloes
Saturday, September 20
7:15 PM PT, ESPN
Line: Colorado –13.5
Over/Beneath: 44.5
The Cowboys appear to be a a lot better model of themselves than we noticed in 2024, having gone 2-1, with the lone loss to Utah.
In contrast, Colorado appears like a staff looking for its means early in 2025. The Buffs opened with a aggressive recreation in opposition to Georgia Tech squad, however the loss final Friday at Houston was disappointing.
Whereas the Buffs have a myriad of questions on the QB place, and are struggling to get the ball into their offensive playmakers’ fingers.
Essentially the most hanging factor to me final week was Houston’s means to shred Colorado’s protection with Dean Connors and Conner Weigman.
This season, CU is permitting 204 dashing yards per recreation, rating one hundred and twenty fifth within the nation. That may very well be an issue for the Buffs this week.
Wyoming has run the soccer productively this season. Of their two wins, the Cowboys have run the ball for over 177 yards per recreation. Even within the loss to Utah, they ran for 121 yards.
Wyoming will be capable of run it. They might want to restrict the turnovers, and Kaden Anderson will want time to throw the ball.
Colorado must hold forcing turnovers, having created 5 on the season, however the CU protection is giving up means too many yards by air and by floor.
A part of that has been having 211 defensive snaps this season, rating 109th within the nation. The offense might want to begin sustaining some drives to maintain the protection recent.
Colorado has the higher gamers and can get the win, however Wyoming retains it inside two TDs.
In opposition to the unfold: Wyoming
Factors Complete: Beneath
Outright winner: Colorado
California Golden Bears at San Diego State Aztecs
Saturday, September 20
7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Line: Cal –12.5
Over/Beneath: 48.5
Cal is off to a 3-0 begin for the second straight season following their win over Minnesota final week. San Diego State is coming off a bye following a dismal efficiency at Washington State.
The Aztecs misplaced by 23 factors to a Cougars squad that has not seemed dominant. Cal, alternatively, has been fairly dominant this season, outscoring their three opponents 96-32 this season.
Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 279 yards and three TDS within the win final week to earn his second ACC rookie of the week award. These 279 got here in opposition to Minnesota protection.
SDSU stored Stony Brook in test, however had a tough time stopping the WSU passing assault in week two. Search for the Cal passing recreation to thrive as soon as once more.
The important thing to disrupting that passing assault would be the Aztecs’ means to create stress. What ought to have been a energy of this staff was missing within the loss to WSU. SDSU didn’t report a sack in opposition to the Cougars and had simply three complete tackles for loss.
If the Aztecs hope to tug the upset, they are going to want an enormous recreation from Trey White and firm.
The house staff has by no means misplaced on this sequence; that modifications this week because the Bears will head dwelling with a win of their fingers.
In opposition to the unfold: Cal
Factors Complete: Beneath
Outright winner: Cal
Fresno State Bulldogs at Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
Saturday, September 20
9:00 pm PT, Spectrum
Line: Fresno State -3
Over/Beneath: 47.5
I have been touting the advance of Hawaii all season lengthy—properly, early within the season, anyway. This week is the ‘Bows’ likelihood to essentially stake their declare as a contender within the Mountain West.
At 3-1, Hawaii is off to its finest begin because the 2019 season, which can also be the final time Fresno State picked up a win on the Island.
The massive problem for UH on Saturday is that this: As impressed as I’ve been with their progress, the Bulldogs have seemed like they’re legit contenders to take the convention title of their closing season within the league.
E.J. Warner wants to scale back his interceptions. He didn’t throw one final week within the win over Southern final week, however that was his first clear recreation. In opposition to the three FBS opponents this season he has thrown 5 interceptions and no TDs.
His proportion has been good in each recreation, however the INTs have to be restricted. Hawaii’s three interceptions this season rank them within the high 30 nationally this season.
Fresno State has run the ball very properly this season, averaging 202.5 yards per recreation. Hawaii allowed Stanford and Arizona to gobble up yards on the bottom. This may very well be an enormous recreation for Bryson Donelson and Rayshon Luke.
When the Rainbows have the ball, they are going to be going through a Fresno State protection that has been restricted in opposition to the move at instances this season, notably, giving up 388 to Oregon State.
Both the Hawaii run protection or Fresno passing protection might want to step up and I feel the Bulldogs may have a slight edge. I feel this one stays tight however Fresno State is the staff opening 4-1.
In opposition to the unfold: Fresno State
Factors Complete: Beneath
Outright winner: Fresno State
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, school sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
