Category: Mountain West Football

PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Recap

Trophy week in the Mountain West provided some fun action and some new bowl-eligible teams.

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PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Recap

More bowl eligible teams this week.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

A lot of changes at QB’s this week.

Jeremy and Matt are back to recap Week 12 of Mountain West football or also known as trophy week. There were some close games and some ugly games. San Diego State vs. Fresno State got things going on Friday night with the Aztecs taking home the Old Oil Can while forcing Bulldogs QB Jorge Reyna to have his worst game of the year with three picks.

The Saturday games started with a shocking low scoring game with Hawaii topping UNLV, 21-7, and the Warriors decided to swap quarterbacks, again. Colorado State had many chances to defeat Air Force but was unable to get things on track. Wyoming with its backup quarterback Tyler Vander Waal was unable to overcome his errors with three interceptions.

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Wyoming’s Four Turnovers Lead to 26-21 Defeat vs. Utah State

Wyoming’s backup quarterback Tyler Vander Wall had too many errors in the loss to Utah State.

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Bridger’s Rifle will spend one more year in Utah

Wyoming’s 4 turnovers were too much to overcome

Contact/Follow @jessetachiquin & @MWCwire

The Cowboys played hard but were unable to overcome 4 turnovers included a critical interception with the Pokes driving for the potential winning score. Xazavian Valladay put in another blue-collar effort with 114 yards on 25 carries. Aside from the 3 interceptions, the Cowboys had one of their best showings throwing the ball this season led by Josh Harshman’s 6 catches for 76 yards and Austin Conway’s 5 catches for 64 yards.

There were stretches during the game where Utah State quarterback Jordan Love torched Wyoming’s pass defense but the Cowboys forced 2 turnovers and did a good job of forcing field goals instead of touchdowns. Given the number of turnovers from the Pokes offense, the fact that Wyoming even had a chance late in the game is a testament to how well Logan Wilson and the rest of the defense performed.

It’s time to meet Levi Williams

After the Boise State game, I wrote that the Cowboys were going to be fine with Tyler Vander Waal at quarterback down the stretch. That was until I saw the turnover party he threw in Logan on Saturday. The fumble in the red zone and the final interception to seal the loss could be chalked up to trying to do too much. The other 2 interceptions are hard to make an excuse for. Given the way the door closed on him last season with Sean Chambers taking over, I can see how he might have been in a situation where he was just “trying too hard”. 

At this point in Vander Waal’s career, I think we know what we can expect from him this season. He has been an excellent teammate but the reality is that the offense really struggles to move the ball when he’s under center. We’ve seen this throughout two seasons. Vander Waal is certainly not the one to blame as Josh Allen, Nick Smith, and Chambers have also struggled in this offense but Allen and Chambers ability to run the ball made the offense effective.  It’s not time to write him off but it is time to see what else the Cowboys have. 

Levi Williams is a true freshman from Texas who was recruited by TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Houston. A coaching change at Houston presented Wyoming with a chance to bring him in. He’s listed as a pocket passer but he accounted for 1,230 rushing yards with 16 rushing TD’s in his senior season. The Cowboys have a very young team with a bright future but the team is out of contention for the conference title and needs to find one more win to ensure a bowl birth. With the new redshirt rules, what’s it hurt to see what he can do? Perhaps Williams will even show enough to give Chambers a run for his money next season. If anything, it gets a young player meaningful game experience with no consequence of losing a year of eligibility.

The Offense Wasn’t A One Man Show

I’ve been waiting for Conway to have a huge game in his final season and he was a big part of the game plan against the Aggies. In addition to his six catches, he had 2 rushing attempts and looked great on punt returns. He is far too talented to be as underutilized as he has been this season. Brett Brenton took advantage of his opportunity adding 22 yards on four carries and a catch for 5 yards. Valladay even got an opportunity to run out of the Wildcat on the first drive of the game. While the overhaul to the offense wasn’t as comprehensive as many would like, it’s clear that Vigen and his group were attempting to add new wrinkles.

Mountain West Officiating Leaves Much To Be Desired

The Cowboys didn’t lose because of poor officiating but it’s becoming to be a glaring problem for the league. Utah State was called for a phantom pass interference early when the defensive back used the sideline perfectly.  Tyler Hall was penalized twice for pass interference on plays where he was guilty of running the Utah State receiver’s route better than the Utah State player, Essias Gandy was called on a late hit out of bounds in a play where he didn’t hit the returner and a relatively weak holding call was enforced on a long punt return from Austin Conway that took great field position from the Pokes on their final drive. It’s easy to hate the officials because nobody recognized when they do a good job but these inexcusable mistakes keep piling up with no consequences.

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Mountain West Football: Week 12 Winners and Losers

Eric Munoz, Tyler Vander Waal, Luq Barcoo and Tony Sanchez are among the weekend’s biggest winners and losers in Mountain West football.

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Mountain West Football: Week 12 Winners and Losers

Who came out ahead and who left something to be desired in Week 12 of Mountain West football?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Some encouragement and some letdowns from the week that was.

That’s how you do a rivalry week, yeah? Friday and Saturday brought a lot of twists and turns all across the Mountain West but as always, for every winner there has to be a loser.

Here’s who stepped up and disappointed in Week 12.

Winners

1. Utah State linebacker Eric Munoz. Life isn’t always easy for a walk-on athlete, so when you crush your chance to shine, you have to make the winners list. In his first career start, Munoz led the Aggies with 13 tackles and came away with two interceptions, too, including the one that sealed the victory over Wyoming late in the fourth quarter. Considering his winding path to this moment, we’ll definitely be on the lookout for more production down the stretch.

2. Air Force linebacker Jake Ksiazek. Speaking of players you probably didn’t know about until yesterday, the Falcons got a big time performance from its front seven and no one was better than the senior from Tucson. He had three of Air Force’s eight sacks against Colorado State and forced two fumbles while recovering one himself to help secure the Ram-Falcon Trophy.

3. San Diego State cornerback Luq Barcoo. In a crucial game for the Aztecs’ division title hopes, Barcoo continued to play at what’s almost certain to be an all-conference level. He had two interceptions in a tight win over Fresno State, one of which shut down a fourth-quarter scoring threat, which makes him one of three FBS defenders at the moment with at least seven INTs on the year.

Losers

1. Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal. The Cowboys needed to get more out of their passing game on Saturday against Utah State and didn’t get it. Vander Waal’s final stat line — 20-of-36 for 185 yards and three interceptions — belies the fact that it took a late rally to get that many yards through the air. His four giveaways also killed two scoring chances and led directly to two Dominik Eberle field goals that ultimately made the difference in the battle for the Bridger Rifle.

2. UNLV’s offense. Against a Hawaii defense that had given up at least seven yards per play in each of its last four games, the Rebels had perhaps their worst overall performance of the year. They averaged just 4.8 yards per play, went 2-for-11 on third downs, threw two interceptions (one of which was a pick six), and put a little more heat under head coach Tony Sanchez’s ever-warmer seat.

3. New Mexico’s running game. You can’t blame the Lobos for leaning on Ahmari Davis and Bryson Carroll, but it didn’t help when both running backs got hurt early and their replacements were mostly ineffective in their blowout loss to Boise State. In the first quarter, New Mexico ran the ball 16 times for just 45 yards, getting stuffed on a third-and-one, third-and-two, fourth-and-one while the Broncos raced out to a 28-0 lead that put the game out of reach.

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Mountain West Football Bowl Projections After Week 12

Find out where the Mountain West team are projected to go bowling this week.

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Mountain West Football Bowl Projections After Week 12

Two more teams are bowl eligible this week.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Utah State, Hawaii are now bowl eligible

Two more Mountain West teams became bowl eligible over the weekend when Hawaii outlasted UNLV, 21-7, and Utah State survived Wyoming, 26-21, while also losing quarterback Jordan Love to an injury.

This now gives the league seven bowl-eligible teams and there are three teams at 4-6 in Fresno State, San Jose State, and Colorado State. Only two have a chance at six wins since the Spartans and Bulldogs play each other. The Rams are likely out as they would have to defeat Wyoming and Boise State to get to six.

With seven bowl-eligible teams, there still could be one or teams left out. There are five official Mountain West bowl spots. BYU has officially accepted an invitation to the Hawaii Bowl. Technically, the other half of the bowl goes to an AAC team but Hawaii is also an option.

It would make a whole lot of sense for the Hawaii Bowl to have is hometown Warriors play a former rival in BYU. The only way the Warriors are passed over is if the American has a ranked team available. There is a real possibility of three AAC teams being ranked at the end of the year; some combination of SMU, Memphis, Navy, and Cincinnati.

It all depends on the bowl and how many tickets they want to sell or if they want a good matchup. Hawaii vs. BYU could be both but it also would be attractive for the bowl game to have BYU vs. a team ranked in the 20s over the Warriors.

In this reincarnation of the Hawaii Bowl which dates back to 2002, the game has never had a ranked team in its game and that might be hard to pass up.

There is also some bowl shuffling going on with the Big Ten and SEC having more teams in the New Year’s Six and playoff to not allow enough teams to fill its required spots, and that is how the Mountain West could find space for all seven bowl-eligible teams.

There is an itch to just put Boise State in the Cotton Bowl but with the AAC having a fairly deciding edge that will have to wait until things look more realistic for the Broncos.

With some bowl swapping, we welcome the Frisco Bowl to our bowl projections.

A few notes about the bowl lineups. Starting with the Hawaii Bowl. The game has a vaguely worded tie-in which is a combination between BYU, Hawaii or an AAC team. The Warriors have a 13-game schedule and must have seven wins to secure a bowl berth. Technically, BYU takes the Mountain West spot but a Cougars vs. Warriors matchup would be a classic WAC rivalry renewal.

There is a new bowl this year and it’s a Power Five opponent from the Big Ten in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Overall, the league has six guaranteed bowl berths and is a backup for the Cheez-It Bowl if the Pac-12 or Big 12 does not have enough teams eligible. As always, there can be trades for the best matchups.

Finally, if the Mountain West is the highest-rated team in the College Football Playoff then a New Year’s Six Bowl game is an option at either the Cotton or Orange Bowl.

1. Las Vegas vs. Pac-12

– Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs. MAC
– Gildan New Mexico Bowl vs. Conference USA
– Hawai’i Bowl vs. BYU or American
– NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl vs. Sun Belt
– Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl vs. Big Ten
– Cheez-It Bowl Conditional for MW if bowl can’t fill a spot.

Previous projections: Preseason | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11

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Air Force Explodes In Second Half To Beat Colorado State 38-21

Colorado State did not have enough to defeat Air Force.

Rams Offense Gets Stuck In Neutral And Defense Out To Dry

Air Force Defeats Colorado State For The Fourth Year In A Row

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Contact/Follow @BradHubbard & @MWCwire

A Complete Breakdown

The Colorado State defense did its part for as long as it could. They were disciplined, getting off the field on third down and even created a couple of turnovers but the Colorado State offense didn’t help them out. Every time the Rams defense stuffed Air Force, the Rams offense would come out and lay an egg. As the game wore on the defense wore down and they eventually broke.

The offensive breakdown can be pointed to one place, the offensive line. While quarterback Patrick O’Brien took some unnecessary sacks, a few times he was running for his life as the Air Force pass rush blew through a porous Rams line. In the end, Air Force recorded eight sacks. They had 14 all season coming into the game.

Missed Opportunities

The Rams let Air Force hang around for too long. While an Air Force fumble on their opening drive led to a 63 yard scoop and score for linebacker Mohamed Kamara, the Rams were unable to capitalize on solid defensive performance early.

The insult to injury was the 99 yard pick six by Air Force defensive back Zane Lewis as O’Brien was trying to pull Colorado State within a score late in the fourth quarter.

After going up 14-0, the Rams were then outscored 38-7 and likely saw their slim bowl game chances disappear into the cold Fort Collins night.

TWO SIDES OF A QB

Patrick O’Brien was at best, off. While the opening drive of the game was a 14 play gem capped off by nice throwback tight end screen for a touchdown, O’Brien was more off than he was on the rest of the game. He fumbled a few times, took unnecessary sacks and looked to be trying too hard to place the ball rather than throwing it.

In O’Brien’s defense, the pass protection deteriorated as the game went on but O’Brien was able to make some throws late to keep things interesting. In the end, O’Brien did not look like the same quarterback we saw against Fresno State or UNLV.

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San Diego State beats Fresno State to regain control of the West Division

San Diego State beats Fresno State to regain control of the West Division Aztecs take home the old oil can. Contact/Follow @MWCwire Aztecs win a sloppy, defensive game. San Diego State battled Fresno State on Friday night which is known as the Oil …

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San Diego State beats Fresno State to regain control of the West Division

Aztecs take home the old oil can.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Aztecs win a sloppy, defensive game.

San Diego State battled Fresno State on Friday night which is known as the Oil Can Game. Fresno State had won the last two games so the Aztecs were looking to win back the Oil Can. The Aztecs sure did when the won 17-7 over the Bulldogs.

Fresno State was the first to get on the scoreboard.  They scored on a  three-yard run by Ronnie Rivers with about seven minutes remaining in the first quarter,  which was set up earlier on the drive when quarterback Jorge Reyna found wide receiver Zane Pope for 53 yards. However, that would be the only time the Bulldogs would score.

The Aztecs on their next drive got on the scoreboard.  The scored when running back Chase Jazmin scored from two yards away. The Aztecs got took the lead with about 10 minutes left in the first half when kicker Matt Araiza kicked a 22-yard field after tight end Parker Houston apparently dropped a pass in the end zone. At the half, it was 10-7 Aztecs. Nobody scored in the third quarter, so it was 10-7 going into the 4th.

The Aztecs were up by two possessions were Ryan Agnew found running back Chase Jasmin for two yards. Now, it was 17-7. This was enough for the Aztecs to come up with the victory. This was the final score, 17 Aztecs and Fresno State 7.

For, San Diego State, Quarterback Ryan Agnew threw for a career-high 323 yards(32-47) and threw for one touchdown and one interception. Corner-back Luq Barcoo had two interceptions.  For Fresno State, Ronnie Rivers ran for 47 rushing yards on 15 carries for one Touchdown. Wide receiver Zane Pope had three receptions for 56 yards.

Next week, on the 23rd the Aztecs(8-2) travel to Hawaii to play their last conference game of the regular season. While, Fresno State(4-6), welcomes the Nevada Wolf Pack next game.

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Wyoming at Utah State: Three keys for a Cowboys win

Forget Boise State, Vander Waal ready for rematch

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Forget the past, Aggies in front of Cowboys for future success

WEEK 12:  Wyoming (6-3) vs Utah State (5-4)

WHEN: Saturday, November 16 — 12:00 PM PT/1:00 PM MT

WHERE: Maverick Stadium; Logan, Utah (25,100)

TV: ESPNU

RADIO: The University of Wyoming broadcast can be found in and around Cheyenne, Wyoming on KFSB, 1240 AM. It can also be found on 26 affiliate radio stations around the state.

LAST WEEK: Wyoming lost in overtime to Boise State, 20-17.

SERIES RECORD: This is the 70th meeting between the two conference squads. Wyoming is behind in the series, 26-39-4.

WEBSITES: gowyo.com, the official University of Wyoming athletics website | utahstateaggies.com, the official New Mexico athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Wyoming | New Mexico

ODDS (via OddsShark): Utah State – 5

SP+ PROJECTION: Utah State by 2.2 (55% win probability)

One team that was projected to be competing for a Mountain West title and another that was supposed to be somewhere near the bottom. Despite just one loss in conference, Utah State seems to be under-achieving with projected NFL first-rounder Jordan Love not living up to the Heisman-hype and Wyoming is surprising others after a tough loss to Boise State last week.

One thing that both teams have in common for Saturday’s contest, is there is still a lot on the line. The Cowboys might be bowl-eligible, but six wins guarantee nothing like last year’s missing bowl invite shows. Meanwhile, the Aggies are one win away from technically being in that same boat with the next two contests being the biggest of the season playing the top-tier teams of the Mountain Division in back-to-back weeks.

Here’s a look at three keys to a Cowboys win:

Three Keys to a Wyoming Victory

1. Forget the last game

Cooper Rothe‘s missed field goal in overtime still stings, but it’s time to move on from Boise State to see if the Cowboys can build on a strong conference showing against the Broncos.

Wyoming has a lot of positives to build on from last week as most aspects of the Cowboys game plan was solid and produced results against a top-25 team. Xazavian Valladay proved can be consistent as the work-horse (37-124 yds) back and the defense held the Broncos to well over 100 yards less than their average.

So despite the loss, Wyoming is still on track to possibly surpass it’s projected win total of 7 wins at the start of the season with three games left.

2. TVW Revenge

Tyler Vander Waal‘s last start of the 2018 season was against the Aggies. He had an abysmal 38 yards in the air prior to being pulled for Sean Chambers. He even had a chance to come back late in the game with a chance to at least tie after Chambers led the team to that point. It didn’t happen and the Cowboys fell by eight points.

So, this game has Vander Waal’s name all over it with a chance to redeem that performance after a year of growth and a new mindset that has produced results.

The sophomore quarterback had 160 yards against Boise State and ran in for a score. More important than the numbers was his presence. He made throws consistently (15-23) and showed a versatile confidence from short to long passes.

3. Contain Love

In comparison to 2018, Love is not having a great year. But that’s just perspective because the junior quarterback still has over 2,000 yards passing and 11 touchdowns. A far cry from his 32 scores a year ago.

Wyoming will have to at the least contain the highly-profiled slinger if they want to bring home the Bridger Rifle. Stopping Love will be tricky as the Cowboys have been prone to give up the big plays, but the secondary has shown strides in recent weeks.

One thing that Wyoming did well at the beginning of the season was force turnovers and Love has actually thrown one more interception this year than a touchdown, so there’s that. Senior defensive backs Tyler Hall and Alijah Halliburton should get ready for the pick to help their cause.

Prediction

This game could be considered a toss-up, but the scale definitely leans toward the Cowboys as the big-deficit losses mount up for the Aggies. These next two weeks will be huge for both teams, but Wyoming just might have the advantage all-around in Saturday’s game. The Cowboys defense might give up yards, but they’ll also make the big plays when they count.

Wyoming 30, Utah State 28

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How To Livestream Hawaii vs. UNLV On Facebook

The Warriors and Rebels face off in the latest Mountain West football game on Facebook. Here’s how to tune in on the mainland.

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How To Livestream Hawaii vs. UNLV On Facebook

The Warriors and Rebels face off in the latest Mountain West football game on Facebook. Here’s how to tune in on the mainland.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

If you’re not on the islands, here’s the info you need.

WEEK 12: Hawaii Warriors (6-4, 3-3 Mountain West) vs. UNLV Rebels (2-7, 0-5 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, November 16 — 1:00 PM PT/11:00 AM HT

WHERE: Sam Boyd Stadium; Las Vegas, Nevada (35,500)

TV: The game can be found Spectrum PPV for viewers in Hawaii only.

STREAMING: Mainland viewers can find the game on Facebook. Additionally, Hawaii’s radio broadcast can be streamed via ESPN Honolulu and UNLV’s broadcast can be found on TuneIn.

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It’s a rivalry week in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon, as the Hawaii Warriors and UNLV Rebels will face off in the Ninth Island Showdown for the trophy unofficially known as the “Golden Pineapple” and there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the game.

Fans on the mainland who are interested in watching the game will want to head to Facebook, where Stadium will once again host a Mountain West football clash. It is the sixth of seven Hawaii football games which will be featured on the social media platform, so be sure to tune in to watch what will surely be a game filled with intrigue on both sidelines and plenty of points.

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Week 12 Mountain West Football Expert Picks

Week 12 Mountain West Football Expert Picks Who does our staff like this weekend? Contact/Follow @MWCwire Who does our staff like this week? Fresno State @ San Diego State (-2½) New week, new look ⚪️⚪️ #GoDogs | #PrideOfTheValley …

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Week 12 Mountain West Football Expert Picks

Who does our staff like this weekend?

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Who does our staff like this week?

Fresno State @ San Diego State (-2½)

Jeremy: SU: San Diego State | ATS: San Diego State | Score: San Diego State 20, Fresno State 17

Raj: SU/ATS: Fresno State (Upset Alert!)

Jesse: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Fresno State

Ted: SU: San Diego State | ATS: San Diego State 

Brandon T: SU/ATS: San Diego St 24 Fresno 21

Matt: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Utah State | Score: Fresno State 24, San Diego State 21

Brandon B: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Fresno State| Fresno State 28 San Diego State 25

Logan: SDSU 30-24

Sam: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Fresno State

Sean: SU: SDSU | ATS: SDSU| SDSU 24 – Fresno State 17

Wyoming @ Utah State (-6)

Jeremy: SU: Utah State | ATS: Utah State | Score:  Utah State 23, Wyoming 16

Raj: SU/ATS: Wyoming (Upset Alert!)

Jesse: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming

Ted: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Utah St 31 Wyoming 21

Matt: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Utah State | Score: Wyoming 21, 17 Utah State

BrandonB SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming| Score Wyoming 28 Utah State 17

Logan: Wyoming 27-20

Sam: SU: USU | ATS: USU

Sean: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming| Score Wyoming 24-  Utah State 21

Hawai’i (-6½) @ UNLV

Jeremy: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii | Score: Hawaii 45, UNLV 21

Raj: SU/ATS: Hawaii

Jesse: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Ted: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Hawaii 38 UNLV 28

Matt: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii | Score: Hawaii 45, UNLV 35

Brandon B: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii | Score: Hawaii 40, UNLV 17

Logan: Hawaii 35-24

Sam: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Sean: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii | Score: Hawaii 35, UNLV 20

Air Force (-10½) @ Colorado State

Jeremy: SU: Air Force | ATS: Colorado State | Score: Air Force 31, Colorado State 23

Raj: SU: Air Force | ATS: Colorado State

Jesse: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

Ted: SU: Air Force | ATS: Colorado State

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Air Force 38 Colorado St 14

Matt: SU: Air Force | ATS: Colorado State | Score: Air Force  38, Colorado State 35 

Brandon B SU: Air Force | ATS: Colorado State | Score: Air Force 35, Colorado State 29

Logan: Air Force 38-17

Sam: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

Sean: SU: Air Force | ATS: Colorado State | Score: Air Force  35, Colorado State 30 

New Mexico @ Boise State (-27½)

Jeremy: SU: Boise State | ATS: New Mexico | Score: Boise State 31, New Mexico 10

Raj: SU/ATS: Boise State, 45-17

Jesse: SU: Boise State | ATS: New Mexico

Ted: SU: Boise State | ATS: New Mexico

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Boise St 56 New Mexico 10

Matt: SU: Boise State| ATS: New Mexico | Score: Boise State 35, New Mexico 20

Brandon B :SU: Boise State| ATS: Boise State | Score Boise State 44 New Mexico 20

Logan: Boise State 42-13

Sam: SU: Boise State | ATS: New Mexico

Sean: SU: Boise State| ATS: New Mexico | Score: Boise State 38, New Mexico 24

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Colorado State vs. Air Force: Game Preview, Kick Time, TV & Radio Schedule, Odds, Prediction

The Ram-Falcon Trophy is on the Line The Falcons look to extend their win streak to five Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire WEEK 12: Colorado State Rams (4-5) vs. Air Force Falcons (7-2) WHEN: Saturday, November 16 -5:30 PM MT/4:30 PM PT WHERE: Canvas …

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The Ram-Falcon Trophy is on the Line

The Falcons look to extend their win streak to five

Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire

WEEK 12: Colorado State Rams (4-5) vs. Air Force Falcons (7-2)

WHEN: Saturday, November 16 —5:30 PM MT/4:30 PM PT

WHERE: Canvas Stadium; Fort Collins, Colorado (41,000)

TV: ESPN2

STREAMING: You can get a free seven-day trial of SlingTV by clicking here.

RADIO: Air Force | Colorado State

SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads the series 35-21-1.

GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | Air Force

ODDS (via OddsShark): Air Force -10.5

SP+ PROJECTION: Air Force by 14.1

FEI PROJECTION:

Were already at week 12 of the college football season, and the Mountain West pecking order is starting to sort itself out. While the broader College Football landscape is clamoring Tuesday by Tuesday to see how the College Football playoff deck has shuffled, the Mountain West has quietly put together some compelling stories of its own.

Both Air Force and Colorado State have stories that are yet to be unwritten. Considering how the season started for the Rams, the fact that we are this far into the season and the page has not turned to the new chapter on them is making things interesting.

The Falcons have seemed to hit their stride in conference battle ever since their loss at Boise State. Their neighbors from Fort Collins though have quietly strung together three consecutive wins themselves.

So you see, besides playing backup quarterbacks due to attrition what seems perennially, this season these two rivals have a little more in common.

Three Keys to an Air Force Victory

1. Start Fast

The Falcons want to get off to a fast start so they can dictate terms on offense (and defense). In their last game against Army, they really slogged together just enough plays on offense to stay ahead- and relied on some very stout and timely defensive stops.

Colorado State has much more firepower than Army, and a lot of other teams Air Force have played. Sticking with what has brought success, a ball control offense, will also mitigate opportunities for the Rams very talented receiving corp.

2. Win with Less

Colorado State will try and find balance by running the ball, even without Marvin Kinsey JR. The key for the Falcons won’t just be limiting damage done on the ground- which they have done a great job of this season; but to be able to generate pressure when the Rams do pass without having to regularly commit a fifth and sixth rusher.

Air Force has done a good job of bringing delayed blitzes and mixing up fronts to confuse offenses. But when the base of the front seven isn’t generating pressure, they will send another linebacker or safety to turn up the heat. With the talent that Colorado State has on the outside, it would a great time for Jordan Jackson, Mosese Fifita and company to take over the line of scrimmage, like they have in the past.

3. Finish the Job

I don’t want to create hyperbole to make this Colorado State team sound like world beaters, but this is a talented team capable of ruining the Falcons weekend. Air Force needs to impose their will early and often, and not take their hand off the thrust.

For a team that can be so lethal in the red-zone, the Falcons have also stumbled at critical times in this area. The kicking game has been stellar, so points have almost been a ‘gimme’ in this territory. But I’d prefer not to harken questionable fortitude come late Saturday night and see the Falcons push the issue.

Prediction

I really like what Colorado state has been doing of late. This is a team who had what many believe is a lame-duck head coach and could have easily folded before the midpoint of the season.

Instead, they have shown promise and are still in the mix for a bowl game. Not only that, but they have showcased a lot of talent on this team that should give a lot of promise for the balance of the year, and into 2020.

Marvin Kinsey JR is gone, and by most accounts that is a real loss for the Rams. I disagree for the game against Air Force though. And here is why- The Falcons are stout against the run, and Kinsey JR had been coughing up the football left and right. Those are the kind of turnovers the the Air Force defense feeds on.

The Falcons may be looking for some running back depth themselves as the status of Kadin Remsberg seems murky, in spite of being listed atop the 2-deep. I don’t put a lot of credence into Calhouns depth chart, but whether its Remsberg or perhapse a combination of Nolan Eriksen and Josh Stoner working in tandem with Duvall Jackson and Taven Birdow, they should be able to give the Rams defense a hard time.

Air Force wins its fourth straight against the Rams.

Air Force 35 – Colorado State 30

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