Mountain West Football Power Rankings Week-3

Week #2 is over and there’s plenty of shake up to the Mountain West hierarchy. We take a look at each team and fit them where we think they stand so far. What’s your take? Did we get it right? Let us know your ranking in the comments and let’s see how this thing goes as each team climbs up the Mountain in 2025.

12. Air Force 1-0

It’s yet to be seen what caliber of team Air Force has just yet. The Falcons have only played one game, a 49-13 drubbing of Bucknell. Up next is an early conference game against Utah State on the road this coming weekend. So we will get more of an indication of how these rankings shake up.

11. Nevada 1-1

Nevada took wicked thumping by Penn State to star the season. No surprises there. But then it took a late pick-six with about 2 minutes left in the game in order for the Wolf Pack to take the lead and eventually beat Sacramento State. Was it a great play? Yes. But this team has a long way to go before they can get out of the bottom of the conference.

10. San Diego State 1-1

The Aztecs came into the year expecting to reverse the wrongs committed last season. Pains me to say it but so far the year is off to about the exact same pattern. Open up by dominating an FCS opponent, but once paired against a quality FBS opponent the offense stalls badly and the defense cannot compensate to put together a winning performance. Lots of opportunities to prove me wrong—hopefully they can.

9. New Mexico 1-1

New Mexico opened the year clearly out matched against Michigan—but they showed some true grit against a juggernaut. In week-2 the Lobos got a 141 yard, 2 TD rushing performance by Scottre Humphrey in a solid 32-22 win over an Idaho State team that gave UNLV fits. The Lobos may be decent (or not) but at least they have a clear workhorse in Humphrey who the coach is not afraid to ride all the way to a victory when needed.

8. Utah State 1-1

The Aggies got a solid opening season victory over UTEP 28-16. On Saturday they took a L against Texas A&M 44-22, in College Station. But they did put up a respectable-ish performance—Texas A&M is just better. QB Marcel Reed exploded for 4 TDs on Bronco Mendenhall’s team, but he’ll probably do a lot of that this season. Utah State will learn from this and maybe benefit in a way when it comes to Mountain West play.

7. Colorado State 1-1

The Rams are a head scratcher so far. First off they lost a tough hard fought battle against Washington, in which they were absolutely still in it for 3 quarters. But then they almost lose an embarrassing performance against in state doormat Northern Colorado. Had it not been for a late reversal of a Northern Colorado TD by the refs, Jay Norvell’s team would be way down on this list and Ram fan would be livid. Still have a lot of belief this team pulls it together, but so far they are middle of the pack until showing otherwise.

6. San Jose State 0-2

This is where it gets weird. Spartans are 0-2 and have Idaho & Stanford up next with a chance to even their record. But they lost a heartbreaker at home vs Central Michigan and then got rolled by Arch Manning and a very pissed off Texas Longhorn team on Saturday 38-7. Better days are head and the toughest part of the road is behind this talented team.

5. Wyoming 2-0

The Cowboys so far look outstanding. They’ve beaten Akron 10-0 in season opener and took down Northern Iowa 31-7 in week-2. Though not the best sample to base off of, you play who is in front of you. They’ve let up only one score in two games and have had good reps offensively. But that may all blow up in their face soon as they face a very challenging next two games—home against #20 Utah and on the road at Colorado.

4. Hawai’i 2-1

Hawai’i is feeling great out to a 2-1 start as they have beaten ACC Stanford, struggled mightily against UofA, but then defeated Sam Houston State on Saturday 37-20. It was the bounce back Timmy Chang needed from his team and the team needed to prove they could get their revenge for last year’s loss against the Bearkats. Up next the Rainbow Warriors should roll against Portland State before a very intriguing early conference matchup against Fresno State.

3. Fresno State 2-1

Speaking of those damn dogs. Fresno State head coach Matt Entz has gotten his band of Bulldogs turned around after a rough outing against Kansas. Since that opening loss Fresno State has defeated Georgia Southern 42-14 and just took down Oregon State in peculiar fashion 36-27. Bulldog kicker Dylan Lynch made 3 field goals in the 4th quarter including a 43 yarder to clinch the victory. It may have been an odd way to get the dub, but winning on the road in Corvallis is quite an impressive job for a coach in his first season. They did give up over 500 yards of offense however, so there is plenty of things to work and improve on. With Southern University up next before a matchup with Hawai’i, both teams will be looking to catapult their season into a contender level with that opportunity.

2. UNLV 3-0

The only reason UNLV is not #1 on this power ranking list is because I am all about seeing is believing. The Rebels are running, but they have not proven they can run passed Boise State, yet. New coach Dan Mullen has his Rebels consistently scoring over 30 points per game, and giving up around 20 points per game. Not the greatest defensive stat but all it takes is to score one more than your opponent.

After taking care of business against Idaho State and Sam Houston State, UNLV proved they are again for real by punching above their weight class defeating UCLA 30-23 this past weekend at Allegiant Stadium. The Rebels jumped on the Bruins early 23-0 before having to fend off a furious comeback in the 2nd half. QB Anthony Colandrea had his best game of the season showing improvement each game. In both the passing and running game he has been efficient with his play with 6 TDs to 1 INT so far. He doesn’t throw it a ton as they like to mix in a lot of different runners out of the backfield.

If they can keep that production going and tighten up on the defense, they will once again be in contention for the Mountain West crown.

1. Boise State 2-1

But let’s be honest, until someone can rise to the level of Boise State no one else is going to hold up that trophy by season’s end. The Broncos got back to the blue and promptly pounded the bejeezus out of fellow colored turf wacko’s Eastern Washington, 51-14. QB Maddux Madsen had over 300 yards passing, Dylan Riley had over 100 yards rushing, Sire Gaines had 98, and the defensed forced 2 turnovers while adding 7 TFL’s.

The season opening loss to Southern Florida is also looking better each week, considering the Bulls just upset the Florida Gators this week. With a long season of both teams winning they could continually help each other’s standing in the CFP possibly. Either way coach Spencer Danielson has plenty of talent and motivation to keep the Broncos churning towards their goal of dominating the Mountain West and closing out their time in the conference on top.