After an offseason that saw San Diego State play will they or won’t they with the Pac-12, the Mountain West is more than ready to return to on-field discussions. The league hasn’t put a team in the New Year’s Six since 2014, but they’ve got a genuine chance this season. With Cincinnati, Central Florida and Houston now full-fledged Power 5 schools, the door is wide open for Boise State — or one of its rivals — to claim the Group of 5 berth.
Before we get to bowl destinations, we’ve got a lot to resolve. Here’s what’s to be decided in the Mountain West.
Can Air Force Finally Take Down Boise State?
As Troy Calhoun has rebuilt Air Force into a Mountain West power, Boise State’s been the one team the Falcons can’t solve. The Falcons have eight conference defeats in four years, and three were against the Broncos. When Air Force finally broke through in 2021, they couldn’t sustain the success and dropped their next two games.
This year is their opportunity. The Falcons boast an experienced, stingy defense and play a very manageable schedule. If they handle business, beating Boise might carry an NY6 game with it as well as a shot at the league title.
Will Wyoming’s Defense Carry the Day?
Craig Bohl gets more out of less than almost any coach in America. Wyoming had no right to playing for first place in the Mountain Division last season, but that’s exactly where they were before a heartbreaking three-point loss to Boise State ended their divisional hopes. The Cowboys bring back 10 starters from a defense that already held everyone in the league but Fresno State and San Jose State to 20 points or less, and they do have experience at quarterback. Wyoming’s defense should keep it in every game it plays.
Can New Mexico Discover An Offense?
If the Lobos can’t, it might be time to say goodbye to coach Danny Gonzales. New Mexico featured the worst offense in the nation last season, scoring 13.1 points per game and gaining just 229 yards per game. Over the past two seasons, the Lobos have gone 1-15 in the Mountain West and have barely competed, losing all 15 by at least two touchdowns. Things could get worse this year if quarterback Dylan Hopkins doesn’t settle in right away: New Mexico returns just two defensive starters.