Category: Week 4

Colorado State vs Utah State: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head to Utah to face the Aggies for CSU’s first conference game of the year. Here’s how the Rams can continue their winning streak.

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Colorado State vs Utah State: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams are in Utah to face the Aggies

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Can the Rams win 3 in a row?

WEEK 4: Colorado State Rams (2-2, 0-0 MW) vs. Utah State Aggies (2-3, 0-1 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 7th — 6:00 p.m. MST / 5:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Maverik Stadium; Logan, UT (25,513)

WEATHER: Clear Sky, high of 72 degrees

TV: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM (Colorado)

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 79th matchup between these two schools. Colorado State leads the series 39-37-2.

LAST MEETING: Utah State won 17-13 in Fort Collins last season.

WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | UtahStateAggies.com, the official Utah State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | Utah State

ODDS: Colorado State -2.5

OVER/UNDER: 62.5

SP+ PROJECTION: Utah State by 3.4

FEI PROJECTION: Utah State by 5.7

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Colorado State 54.39% win probability (31.20 to 29.55)

Colorado State heads to Logan, Utah to face the Aggies in the Rams first Mountain West game of the year. CSU is coming off a strong, but still disappointing 41-20 win over FCS Utah Tech. And now they turn their attentionto 8 straight weeks of conference play

Utah State is led by Blake Anderson in his 3rd season at the helm. Cooper Legas gets the nod under center, with McCae Hillstead out with a concussion. Davon Booth, Rahsul Faison, Jalen Royals, and Terrell Vaughn are the big threats on offense. MJ Tafisi and Ike Larsen are the ones to watch on defense.

Now onto some keys to victory for the Rams.

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Run the dang ball, Bobo!

The key is written jokingly, but it’s something the Rams need to figure out. They are bottom 5 in the country in rushing offense per game at 71 yards per game. The air raid is a passing offense, but Jay Norvell likes to throw in the run as a wrinkle to keep defenses honest.

The Rams have good running backs in Avery Morrow (still out with injury) and Kobe Johnson, who is expected back this week. The Rams OL has gotten better at pass protection, but if CSU wants to keep growing the Rams must get better at run blocking.

2. Complete 60 minute game

The Rams have not played a complete 60 minutes in any game this year. They laid an egg against Washington State before doing something in the second half. The ran roughshod over Colorado in the first half before playing back and letting the Buffs come back for the win. Against Middle Tennessee, the Rams woke up in the second half. And against Utah Tech, the Rams let them get within one point before going on a 20-0 run to end the game.

Against Utah State, who has the same struggles, the Rams have a chance to show they can be a true force in the Mountain West. Play a complete game in all phases (passing, running, defense, and special teams) and make the other teams respect you.

3. Defense needs to step up

What was a strength of the team last season, has turned into a nightmare. Games are closer than they should be. Tackles are being missed. Holes are being left open everywhere. This Rams defense needs to take a look in the mirror and decide what kind of defense they actually want to be.

This doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there. Mohamed Kamara, Jack Howell, Chigozie Anusiem, and others are good players, but they haven’t been able to put it together as a team. This is the Rams chance to do so and make Rams fans remember last years defense.

what will happen

CSU comes out with a fire. Utah State starts slow and the Rams will take advantage. The Aggies will make a little comeback, but it will be too little, too late as Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi tears apart the Aggie defense with Tory Horton and Dallin Holker.

Final Score: Colorado State 42, Utah State 31

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Mountain West Football: Players Of The Month For August/September

With the first several chapters of the 2023 season in the books, who have been Mountain West football’s biggest standouts so far?

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Mountain West Football: Players of the Month For August/September

With the first several chapters of the 2023 season in the books, who have been Mountain West football’s biggest standouts so far?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

The small-sample elite.

Note: Players below are presented in alphabetical order.

Offensive Players of the Month

1. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, New Mexico

The Lobos’ lead running back has a strong case as the biggest individual surprise of the young season, posting 420 rushing yards at 6.77 yards per carry with seven touchdowns in five games. According to Pro Football Focus, he also ranks second among Mountain West running backs with 26 missed tackles forced on just 62 attempts and first with a 92.1 overall grade. He’s a definite keeper.

2. Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

Horton has picked up where he left off last season in a big way, leading the nation with 11.3 receptions and 135 receiving yards per game through four contests. He’s also scored six times in the last three games and posted an overall PFF grade of 90.0, second among conference pass catchers, helping establish the Rams’ offensive potency with a new quarterback and emerging playmakers in tow.

3. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Perhaps no player in the conference has meant as much to his offense as the sophomore Texan means to the Broncos. He currently leads the Mountain West with 165.3 all-purpose yards per game and the entire FBS with 12 total touchdowns in just five games, so while Boise State clearly has a number of issues to sort out, getting the ball to #2 should remain a priority while they do so.

4. Zac Larrier, QB, Air Force

Through five games, Larrier has achieved a rare combination of efficiency and explosiveness, especially among Falcons quarterbacks of recent vintage. His 362 rushing yards currently rank fifth among all players in the Mountain West and first among FBS QBs, but he’s also connected on 14-of-19 throws for 410 yards, a staggering 21.6 yards per attempt, and accounted for six total touchdowns (three rushing, three passing). It’s little wonder, then, that PFF has given him the highest grade among all Mountain West quarterbacks to date at 82.6.

Defensive Players of the Month

1. Mohamed Kamara, DE, Colorado State

Kamara entered 2023 as arguably the conference’s premier pass rusher and nothing he’s done in four games has dissuaded anyone of that notion. Besides leading the Mountain West with 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss and forcing two fumbles, PFF credits Kamara with 13 quarterback hurries (third in the conference) and 12 stops for good measure.

2. Ike Larsen, S, Utah State

Larsen has continued to be a man of impeccable timing in the young season. His 36 total tackles put him in a tie for second among Mountain West defensive backs, but it’s the highlight plays — the pick-six against Idaho State and the two blocked kicks, including the game-saving play in a Week 5 road win over UConn — that have made him one of the most valuable defenders anywhere in the conference from day one.

3. Bo Richter, DE, Air Force

The Mountain West’s best defense has shined on every front thus far, but few individuals have stood out like Richter. Though he’s tallied 14 total tackles, PFF credits the senior with 16 quarterback hurries, seventh among all FBS defenders, and only one missed fumble to go along with his 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble.

4. Noah Tumblin, CB, San Diego State

The Aztecs secondary has been busy throughout 2023 to date, so you might be forgiven for not noticing that Tumblin is in the midst of a breakout season. Not only does he lead all Mountain West defensive backs with a 85.5 overall PFF grade and a 88.7 grade in coverage, Tumblin currently paces the conference with ten passes defended (eight pass breakups, two interceptions) and has only missed one tackle in six games.

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Week 4 Mountain West Football Power Rankings

Week 4 Mountain West Football Power Rankings Then there were two Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Fresno State is pulling away Week five is just around the corner so lets do a quick ranking of the Mountain West teams after four weeks of …

Week 4 Mountain West Football Power Rankings

Then there were two

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Fresno State is pulling away

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Week five is just around the corner so lets do a quick ranking of the Mountain West teams after four weeks of action.

There is some separation between the good teams and not so good teams. The top three-ish teams between Boise State, Air Force, Wyoming, and Fresno State. Plus, it is unanimous that Nevada is team No. 12 in this rankings.

We still have no real clue what to make of Utah State. The Aggies are a second half team but maybe UConn is the cure for that this weekend. Also, Colorado State is sort of a mystery and still will be as they play Utah Tech but they are inching closer to a bowl game.

San Jose State who was my pick (oops) to compete and do well as a potential dark horse title contender seems to be going down near the bottom of these rankings.

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Mountain West Football: Week 4 Winners And Losers

Running backs, Hawaii’s defense, and Utah State were among the weekend’s biggest winners and losers across Mountain West football.

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Mountain West Football: Week 4 Winners And Losers

Who came out ahead and who left something to be desired across the Mountain West in Week 4 of the college football season?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Encouragements and letdowns from the week that was.

Blocked field goals. Second-half surges and collapses. Fumble recoveries for touchdowns in the end zone on offense and defense. Six different games decided by eight or fewer points. The week in Mountain West football had it all, making it a great couple days of high drama, but here are the winners and losers from Week 4.

Winners

1. Mountain West running backs

In spite of so many graduations and transfers over the last couple of off-seasons, talent at the running back position might be as deep as ever across the Mountain West if Week 4 was any indication. On Friday night, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty posted another Herculean performance in their 34-31 slugfest against San Diego State, accounting for 254 of the Broncos’ 409 yards of total offense with two touchdowns; Air Force, meanwhile, had two different players, Emmanuel Michel and John Lee Eldridge III, combine for 250 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 45-20 rout over San Jose State.

The following day, New Mexico’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt and UNLV’s Jai’den “Jet” Thomas continued their strong runs throughout non-conference action, as well: Croskey-Merritt scored twice in the Lobos’ overtime road win at UMass, including the game-winner in overtime, while Thomas tallied four touchdowns and 100 rushing yards in the Rebels’ 45-28 road victory at UTEP. Wyoming’s Harrison Waylee continued to make an instant impact for the Cowboys, as well, ripping off a 75-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to help set up the team’s late rally over Appalachian State.

In all, it was a great day to get things done on the ground.

2. Boise State punter James Ferguson-Reynolds

Now, you might be thinking, “A punter, really?” Ferguson-Reynolds, however, has been the best specialist in the Mountain West so far throughout this young campaign and the Broncos might not have been able to outlast San Diego State without his contributions on Friday.

The Aussie averaged 50.8 yards per attempt and pinned the Aztecs inside the 20-yard line three times on five punts, helping the Broncos to a ten-yard advantage in average starting field position (Boise State: own 38; SDSU: own 28). After four games, Boise State also ranks eighth nationally with 44.35 net yards per punt, so for all of the early teeth-gnashing about the Broncos’ uneven early showings, special teams have been on point.

3. Hawaii’s defense

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but the Warriors found a way to solve New Mexico State in a 20-17 victory. One big component of that turnaround revolved around eliminating big plays on defense: After allowing eight explosive plays for 183 yards in the first two quarters, Hawaii gave up just three for 63 yards after halftime.

Jacob Yoro’s unit also engineered a similar turnaround on third downs, shutting down NMSU on three such second-half opportunities after enabling the Aggies to convert 5-of-7 tries early on. While it remains to be seen how much they can surprise in conference play, it’s encouraging to see signs of progress in year two under head coach Timmy Chang.

Losers

1. Utah State

Give credit to the Aggies for fighting back to make their 45-38 loss to James Madison as close as it was, but it didn’t have to be that way. Blake Anderson’s squad got pasted in the first half while falling behind 38-17, coughing up eight yards per play and 360 yards of total offense while allowing three sacks throughout the first thirty minutes. Then, the Aggies made one too many mistakes down the stretch, giving the ball away three times in the second half even as they forced four turnovers of their own.

That tale of two halves made for another frustrating Utah State performance, as the Aggies clearly have the talent to make waves and contend for a bowl bid but rarely seem inclined to play disciplined football for a whole four quarters. After four games, USU might be the Mountain West’s most mercurial team.

2. Nevada

For the second straight week, the Wolf Pack showed more sustained signs of life, but their 17-0 halftime lead against Texas State proved to be alarmingly short-lived as the Bobcats ripped off 35 unanswered points and rolled up 377 yards of total offense in the third and fourth quarters.

Offensive inefficiencies didn’t help matters, either. The Wolf Pack still can’t run the football if quarterback Brendon Lewis isn’t scrambling — both Sean Dollars and Ashton Hayes averaged fewer than four yards per carry — and they fumbled four times in the contest (the two they lost both led directly to Texas State touchdowns). Now the Mountain West’s lone winless team, it could be a long slog through the conference schedule if the offense can’t hang on to the ball and the defense can’t stop giving up big plays.

3. San Jose State’s run defense

The Spartans had few answers for the powerful Air Force running game on Friday, but while the Falcons averaging 5.48 yards per carry might look like business as usual, it may also be the latest evidence that this San Jose State team might have a fatal flaw on its hands.

While the difficulty of the schedule certainly plays a part, SJSU has now given up five or more yards per carry in three of their four games and a total of 13 rushing touchdowns. Five different Spartan defenders had at least ten tackles against Air Force, but they mustered only three tackles for loss on 73 rushing attempts and that’s also been in keeping with their overall performance so far: SJSU has just 3.25 TFLs per game against FBS opponents, which is less than half of what they averaged in 2022.

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Air Force at San Jose State Recap: Falcons Pull Away in Second Half

Air Force at San Jose State Recap: Falcons Pull Away in Second Half Falcons take over in second half to reclaim lead, shut out Spartans in second half for win Contact/Follow @MWCwire Falcons move to 4-0, Spartans fall to 1-4 San Jose State and Air …

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1360 tag=16543673][lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=1360 tag=16543673]Air Force at San Jose State Recap: Falcons Pull Away in Second Half

 

Falcons take over in second half to reclaim lead, shut out Spartans in second half for win


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Falcons move to 4-0, Spartans fall to 1-4


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San Jose State and Air Force played a competitive, high-scoring first half, as one might expect in a Mountain West Conference game. But the second half would be played under more decisive terms.

The Spartans jumped out to an early 6-0 lead as quarterback Chevan Cordeiro found the end zone on a ten-yard run. The Falcons would try to answer but settled for a field goal after controlling the ball for 7:41 of the first quarter. After a San Jose State punt, Air Force would take the lead on Emmanuel Michel’s first touchdown of the night.

Both teams would exchange leads several times in the second quarter. San Jose State’s Kairee Robinson would get the lead back for the Spartans, but Michel’s second touchdown before halftime would close the lead to 20-17.

With already almost 200 yards at halftime, the Falcons made the third quarter their most dominant yet. The opening second half drive for Air Force lasted 15 plays, went 75 yards, took 8:42 off the clock, and gave the Air Force a 24-20 lead they would not relinquish. Immediately after that drive, the San Jose State offense went three and out and left a depleted Spartans defense to go back on the field to face the Falcons running game. Air Force would continue to control the clock for the rest of the quarter, leaving the Spartans defense on the field for more than fourteen minutes of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter opened with the Falcons finishing their second long drive of the third and allowed them to extend their lead 31-20. At that point, Michel had his third touchdown of the night, and a second touchdown for John Lee Eldridge shortly thereafter extended the Air Force lead to 38-20.

A costly interception by Cordeiro late allowed Air Force one more opportunity for another touchdown, this one by Jet Harris on a two-yard run, bringing the final score to 45-20. 

When the game was over, Air Force tallied 400 rushing yards on 73 rushes and 2 passes for 28 yards, compared to 354 total offensive yards for San Jose State. The time of possession was more than 39 minutes for Air Force, a nearly two-to-one advantage for the game.

Keys to the Game:

The Falcons’ third quarter was as decisive as could be and showed how strong they can grind an opponent with such a dedicated rushing attack. The Falcons’ two drives in the quarter ended in touchdowns and left the Spartans’ defense on the field to be dominated. 

Conversely, the Spartans’ defense was left on the field for more than fourteen minutes in the third quarter leaving them gassed and looking for a second half relief that would never come. When the Spartans had the ball, and went three plays and out, to put their defense back on the field, the fatigue showed through and left the Air Force offense to continue what it does best. 

Final Thoughts: 

Air Force looked every bit the part of a dominant run-heavy team and the speed they ran with was at times shocking to see. This Falcons squad could easily be a team to find itself in a conference championship game. 

San Jose State, however, looked like they are showing signs of wear and tear after a tough non-conference schedule and facing one of the better teams in the Mountain West to open their conference scheduling. The Spartans have a bye week next week and it could not come at a better time to rest up before continuing with their conference schedule.  

Player of the Game:

Emmanuel Michel scored three touchdowns, 148 rushing yards, and paced the Falcons to this win. From start to finish, Michel’s 33 rushing attempts moved the chains, and kept the Falcons offensive drives as potent as advertised.

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The Spartans will have a bye week before heading on the road to Boise State in two weeks. Air Force will face San Diego State next Saturday.




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New Mexico vs UMass: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

New Mexico vs UMass: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction Can the Lobos get a win on a long road trip Contact/Follow @MWCwire Time for the offense to shine WEEK 4: New Mexico Lobos 1-2 vs UMass Minutemen 1-3 WHEN: Saturday, September 23, …

New Mexico vs UMass: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

Can the Lobos get a win on a long road trip

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Time for the offense to shine

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WEEK 4: New Mexico Lobos 1-2 vs UMass Minutemen 1-3

WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 1:30 MT/ 3:30 EST

WHERE: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium

WEATHER: 58.9 degrees, humidity 80% 

TV: ESPN+

RADIO: Lobo Radio Network

SERIES RECORD: First Meeting

GAME NOTES (PDF):  New Mexico | UMass

SP+ PROJECTION: UMass by 3.5

Odds/Point Spread: Minutemen (-3.5)

Total/Over-Under: The Minutemen are the favorites (-3.5) versus the Lobos with the over/under at 50.5 points. 

 The New Mexico Lobos (1-2) will attempt to defy oddsmakers when they take on the UMass Minutemen (1-3) on Saturday, September 23, 2023, as 3.5-point underdogs. 

 This will be the New Mexico’s most extended road trip as they fly 2,164 miles to take on the Minutemen at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium this Saturday. 

 Interestingly the Lobos come into the game averaging 35.7 points per game with 223 passing yards per game and 180.3 rushing yards per game while going for 44.1% on their third-down attempts. 

The UMASS offense is scoring 25 points per game with 234.3 passing yards per game

and rushing the ball at 130 yards while going for 32.7% on third-down attempts.  

New Mexico also allows only 31 points per game to the Minutemen’s 37.3 points. Yet, oddsmakers are playing them as a 3.5 underdog. Go figure

UMass has struggled with ball security in week 3, turning it over four times, three interceptions, and a lost fumble, so look for them to keep it from trying, not giving it to the Lobos so easily. 

In their most recent game, the Minutemen lost to the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 19-17. The Lobos lost against the New Mexico State Aggies in their most recent contest, 27-17.

 The Minutemen have lost three straight games but narrowed the margins from 59-14 at Auburn to 41-28 versus Miami (OH) and a 19-17 loss at Eastern Michigan last week.

New Mexico lost 52-10 at Texas A&M and 27-17 at home to the same New Mexico State team last week that UMass already beat as the road team in Week 0.

UMass’ Defense has a pair of pick-sixes ranks 12th in fumble recoveries, 11th in turnovers gained, and 38th in third-down Defense (13-for-39) through four games.

The matchup is the first between the two teams, but it should be the second as they were supposed to play in the abbreviated COVID-19 2020 season. 

It is a matchup of a pair of similar teams. For UNM, it will be about limiting big plays (New Mexico State had two, a 31 and 75-yard touchdown pass) and winning the turnover battle (the only turnover last week was a Lobo fumble inside the Aggie 10-yard line). 

 The Lobos have given up ten explosive pass plays this season (six resulted in touchdowns) and are tied with 12 other FBS teams, and this has been the Achilles heel of this New Mexico Lobo defensive team. 

UMass lone win of the season was in Week 0, a 41-30 win over New Mexico State in Las Cruces. The Minutemen are looking to end a five-game home losing streak, tied for the third-longest streak in the country. 

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Kent State vs Fresno State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

The Bulldogs are going for their 13th straight win as they face Kent State for the first time in program history Contact/Follow @Tj_Nijjar and @MWCwire The Bulldogs are back home for a two-game home stand. As the Dogs host the Kent State Golden …

The Bulldogs are going for their 13th straight win as they face Kent State for the first time in program history

Contact/Follow @Tj_Nijjar and @MWCwire

The Bulldogs are back home for a two-game home stand. As the Dogs host the Kent State Golden Flashes from the MAC on Boots and Buckles Night.

Game: Kent State vs. Fresno State

Where: Valley Children’s Stadium  Fresno, California

TV: CBS Sports Network

Streaming: Fubo TV with a free trial

Series Record: First meeting between both programs

Websites: gobulldogs.com

Game Notes: Kent State | Fresno State

Odds: -28

Week 4 2023 Mountain West Football: Best Bets

Players to Watch:

Dean Clark

The former Golden Flash is set to face his former team on Saturday night. Before becoming a Bulldog, Dean spent four seasons at Kent State. Now Clark will get a chance to be on the other side of the sideline. Dean is second on the team in tackles which the Bulldogs will need all of Saturday night.

Elijah Gilliam 

Simply, the Dogs have to run the ball. With Malik Sherrod back in the mix last week Gilliam was still the workhorse and should be this week as well. Gilliam is still looking for his first 100-yard rushing game this season and it could come this Saturday as Kent State gives up nearly 221 yards ppg which ranks near the bottom out of all the FBS programs. If Gilliam can have an efficient day on the ground the Bulldogs will find a lot of success on offensively.

Keys to the game:

Finishing red-zone drives

The Bulldogs have to find ways to finshs with six points. Last week at Arizona State the Bulldogs had four drives that started in ASU territory and they all ended in field goal attempts, leaving 19 points on the board. The Dogs are 7 for 16 in red-zone touchdowns this season. Fresno State has to get the ball out of Mikey Keene‘s hands or lean more into the running closer to the end zone. Simply, you can’t leave that many points on the board.

Fast Start

Last time the Bulldogs were home the Dogs survived an upset bid from Eastern Washington. Now the Dogs are back for their second home game and look to start the season off 4-0. Kent State is a program that is rebuilding after losing a lot of talent and experience in the transfer portal. This game seems like the Bulldogs should roll through on paper, anything can happen in college football. So to avoid having a scare or upset bid the Bulldogs must start fast. Last time out the Bulldogs did jump into a 14-3 lead but both of their scoring drives start in the opponent territory. The offense looked sluggish and the defense eventually got tired. Fresno State has to come out locked in and put this game to bed early!

Predictions

The Bulldogs know they can’t overlook Kent State or they might find themselves in a hole like the last home game. Kent State is still trying to find their identity as they are going through their rebuild. The Bulldogs offense should find its rhythm early, the defense should have another big night. The Bulldogs will control this game from the first whistle to the last whistle.

Fresno State 40, Kent State 10

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Week 4 Mountain West Football Picks

Week 4 Mountain West Football Picks Who does our staff like this week? Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire A few conference games are here Week 4 is upon us with a pair of Friday night games that are both conference matchups and have the …

Week 4 Mountain West Football Picks

Who does our staff like this week?

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

A few conference games are here

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Week 4 is upon us with a pair of Friday night games that are both conference matchups and have the potential to be really good, or at least interesting.

Find out below who our staff likes this week.

Boise State at San Diego State (+7), 10:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network, or stream for free on FuboTV with a trial

Jeremy: SU: Boise State | ATS: Boise State

Roger: SU: Boise State | ATS: San Diego State

Brandon: SU: San Diego State | ATS: San Diego State 

Erik: SU: Boise State | ATS: Boise State

Kaycee: SU: Boise State | ATS: Boise State

Michael: SU: Boise State | ATS: San Diego State

LaMarr : SU: Boise State | ATS: Boise State

Josh F : SU: Boise State | ATS: Boise State

TJ: SU: Boise State | ATS: Boise State

Air Force at San Jose State (+6) 10:30 p.m. ET, TV: FS1, or stream for free on FuboTV with a trial

Jeremy: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

Roger: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

Brandon: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force 

Erik: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

Kaycee: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

Michael: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

LaMarr: SU: Air Force | ATS : Air Force

Josh F: SU: Air Force | ATS : Air Force

TJ: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force

New Mexico at UMass (3.5). 3:30 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN+

Jeremy: SU: UMass | ATS: UMass

Roger: SU:New Mexico I New Mexico 

Brandon: : SU: UMass | ATS: UMass

Erik: SU:New Mexico I New Mexico

Kaycee: SU: New Mexico | ATS: New Mexico

Michael: SU: UMASS | ATS: UMASS

LaMarr: SU: UMass | ATS: UMASS

Josh f: SU: UMass | ATS: UMass

TJ: SU: UMass | ATS: UMass

Colorado State at Middle Tennessee (-3), 7 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN+

Jeremy: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

Roger: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Middle Tennessee

Brandon: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State 

Erik: SU: Middle Tennessee | ATS: Middle Tennessee

Kaycee: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

Michael: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

LaMarr: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

Josh F: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

TJ: SU: Colorado State | ATS: Colorado State

WATCH A LOT OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND MORE ON ESPN+

Appalachian State at Wyoming (-3), 7 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network, or stream for free on FuboTV with a trial

Jeremy: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming

Roger: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming

Brandon: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming 

Erik: SU: App State | ATS: App State

Kaycee: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming

Michael: SU: App State | ATS: App State

LaMarr: SU: App State | ATS: App State

Josh F: SU: App State | ATS: App State

TJ: SU: Wyoming | ATS: Wyoming

Nevada at Texas State (-17), 7 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN+

Jeremy: SU: Texas State | ATS: Nevada

Roger: SU: Texas State | ATS: Nevada

Brandon: SU: Nevada | ATS: Nevada 

Erik: SU: Texas State | ATS: Nevada

Kaycee: SU: Texas State | ATS: Texas State

Michael: SU: Nevada | ATS: Nevada

LaMarr: SU: Texas State | ATS: Nevada

Josh F: SU: Texas State | ATS: Nevada

TJ: SU: Texas State | ATS: Texas State

James Madison at Utah State (+6.5), 8 p.m. ET, TV: KJZZ-14 or stream on Mountain West Network

Jeremy: SU: James Madison | ATS: Utah State

Roger: James Madison | ATS: Utah State

Brandon: SU: James Madison | ATS: Utah State 

Erik: SU: James Madison | ATS: Utah State

Kaycee: SU: James Madison | ATS: Utah State

Michael: SU: James Madison | ATS: James Madison

LaMarr: SU: James Madison | ATS: James Madison

Josh F: SU: James Madison | ATS: James Madison

TJ: SU: James Madison | ATS: Utah State

UNLV at UTEP (+2.5), 9 p.m. ET, TV: ESPN+

Jeremy: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Roger: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Brandon: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV 

Erik: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Kaycee: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Michael: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

LaMarr: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Josh F: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

TJ: SU: UNLV | ATS: UNLV

Kent State at Fresno State (-27.5), 10:30 p.m. ET, TV: CBS Sports Network, or stream for free on FuboTV with a trial

Jeremy: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Kent State

Roger: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Kent State

Brandon: SU: Fresno State| ATS: Kent State 

Erik: SU: Fresno State| ATS: Kent State

Kaycee: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Kent State

Michael: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Kent State

LaMarr: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Fresno State

Josh F: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Fresno State

TJ: SU: Fresno State | ATS: Fresno State

New Mexico State at Hawaii (-3), 12 a.m. ET, TV: Team1Sports App

Jeremy: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Roger:  SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Brandon: SU: New Mexico State | ATS: New Mexico State

Erik:  SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Kaycee: SU: Hawaii | ATS: New Mexico State

Michael: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

LaMarr: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

Josh F: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

TJ: SU: Hawaii | ATS: Hawaii

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Appalachian State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Keys, Predictions

A preview of the App. State Mountaineers vs. Wyoming Cowboys on Sept. 23, 2023, including how to watch, betting odds, keys and predicitions.

Appalachian State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Keys, Predictions

Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire

The Wyoming Cowboys concludes their non-conference schedule with a visit from the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Only the third all-time meeting between these programs, Wyoming hopes to extend its non-conference home winning streak to double digits. The last Group of 5 team to beat the Pokes at War Memorial Stadium was Eastern Michigan back on Sept. 12, 2015, head coach Craig Bohl’s second season in Laramie.

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WEEK 4: Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (2-1, 0-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, September 23rd— 5 PM MST / 7 PM EST

WHERE: War Memorial Stadium (29,181)

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAMING: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Cowboys are 1-1 against the Mountaineers since 2004. 0-1 since Appalachian State joined FBS.

LAST MATCHUP: Oct. 3, 2015 – Mountaineers won in Boone, North Carolina 31-13

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; AppStateSports.com, the official Appalachian State athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | Appalachian State

ODDS: Wyoming -3

OVER/UNDER: 43 points

Players to watch

Andrew Peasley OR Evan Svoboda

Questions marks are still circling the quarterback position for Wyoming after the first start for Evan Svoboda at Texas last week. Bohl announced on Sept. 18 at his weekly media press conference that Andrew Peasley was “day-to-day.” However, there hasn’t been any establishment of when a decision will be made on who will start, but Bohl does know it will come down to one decision.

“The measure is going to be, can he throw at a high capacity?” Bohl sad. “When I say high capacity, can he make the throws that he’s going to need to make, for us to win.”

With Peasley’s status currently unknown, it could be Svoboda’s second start against the Mountaineers. He handled the pressure well despite a ranked matchup and the 101,000 fans of DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Svoboda completed 17 of his 28 attempts for 136 yards with an interception. However, there wasn’t many chances taken to show Svoboda’s arm strength down the field. After two full weeks of practice in a potential starting role, the deep shots will most likely be there against Appalachian State.

If Peasley does start, how healthy will he be? He doesn’t just bring his passing ability but the team’s second leading rusher with 111 yards and a touchdown. As a threat through the air and on the ground, the Cowboys would need to be nearly certain re-injury is unlikely.

Harrison Waylee

­After now being named the starting running back for Wyoming, how does the Northern Illinois transfer build off his ninth career 100-yard game? Bohl added in his media presser this week that Waylee “separated himself,” but the focus is now on him for the Appalachian State defense. He also has not had consecutive games rushing for 100 yards since Sept. 4, and 11, 2021 when he ran for 144 and 179, respectfully.

In addition, the Wyoming offensive line that paved the way for 155 rushing yards and only one sack against Texas last week. A similar performance could allow Waylee to have another break out game for the Cowboys.

If Waylee doesn’t preform, watch out behind him too. The Pokes still have the team’s leading rusher Sam Scott, the explosive D.Q. James and Jamari Ferrell working as a running back by committee.

The Cowboy defensive front

While not a specific player, the Pokes are going to focus on shutting down the Mountaineers most explosive player on offense, Nate Noel. He currently leads the country in rushing yards per game, at 145, and carries per game, with 20. Noel is also second in NCAA FBS in total rushing yards with 435. Some of the defensive players to watch for in particular are LB Shae Suiaunoa, DTs Jordan Bertagnole, Cole Godbout and DE Sebastian Harsh.

Godbout also has quietly been moving up Wyoming’s career tackles for loss list, currently with 24. He is tied for eighth with Ward Dobbs. Keep an eye out for Godbout to move up that list even more.

Keys to the game

Control the clock

Wyoming has done a fantastic job through three games on making sure they control the game. Slow and calculated drives wear down the opponent’s defense and prevents their offense from being able to score any points. The Cowboys currently rank 13th in the country for their time of possession, averaging 33 minutes and 30 seconds per game, which includes a 10:22 drive last week at Texas. If Wyoming keeps the ball out of the Mountaineers hands, a difference of 3,887 feet higher than Boone, NC can let a lot of players get exhausted.

Pressure, pressure, pressure

Appalachian State doesn’t allow pressure to threaten their offense. The team is 31st in the NCAA for rushing yards per game at 196.7. Their line has also only allowed only three sacks so far. Wyoming’s defense has to get in the backfield to disrupt QB Joey Aguilar or any form of the running game with Noel. Without this disruption, the Mountaineers have potential to dominate on offense. This is the same offense that went to double overtime with No. 17 North Carolina (UNC) and allowed zero sacks, in comparison to UNC’s first game with nine sacks.

Positive turnover margin

Wyoming is currently -1 in the turnover margin while Appalachian State is +3. Giving the ball away is not the way to win football games. This comes to both sides of the ball, don’t give the ball to the Mountaineers on mistakes and make sure to force them yourself. In a tight game, the Pokes will need to turn the tide in their favor.

Prediction

This will be a very tight and entertaining game. If both teams play at their highest potential and like they have in previous weeks, it will be one of the best Group of 5 matches, at least of the week. It won’t be filled with fireworks through the air, but dominant rushing attacks from both sides. However, Wyoming will have the more dominant with Waylee, Scott and James. Cowboys head into conference play 3-1.

Wyoming 24, Appalachian State 20

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Week 4 2023 Mountain West Football: Best Bets

Getting closer to conference play. We’re 25-12 on our bets for the season so far. Here’s what to look for in MW play this week.

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Week 4 2023 Mountain West Football: Best Bets

A look at the Mountain West betting odds for Week 4

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

What are the oddsmakers saying about these match ups?

Late in the week we will look at odds and recent lines and make our best picks and bets. Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.

We went 6-5 in week two and are 25-12 on the year. Continuing to come back down to Earth. Lets see if we can’t pick it back up.

Boise State @ San Diego State (+6.5, O/U 45.5)

Boise State is average. San Diego State is meh. Maybe once they both get to conference play, they’ll pick it up. I have more faith in Boise than I do the Aztecs even though this is in San Diego. The Aztecs haven’t inspired much confidence in them so far this season. Take the Broncos to cover.

Pick: Boise State -6.5

Air Force @ San Jose State (+5.5, O/U 46.5)

San Jose State lost on a pick six. Air Force looks to be a team even with replacing their skill positions. The Falcons are in the driver’s seat for a MW Championship berth at this moment. The Spartans seem like a team to play spoiler. Air Force covers on the road.

Pick: Air Force -5.5

New Mexico @ Massachusetts (-3.5, O/U 50.5)

If UMass wins, they get to claim New Mexico as a part of Massachusetts. They already beat New Mexico State earlier this season and now they get to play the Lobos who are coming off a loss to the Aggies in the Rio Grande Rivalry. Let down game is here, Minutemen cover.

Pick: UMass -3.5

Colorado State @ Middle Tennessee (-2.5, O/U 51.5)

Speaking of let down games, the Rams head to Tennessee after giving Deion Sanders and Co all they could handle. The Blue Raiders are coming off a victory and have a shot to put an arrow in CSU’s heart. CSU seems to have turn a corner and they look to be able to keep it up. Take the Rams outright.

Pick: Colorado State ML

Appalachian State @ Wyoming (-2.5, O/U 42.5)

If this was in North Carolina, I’d be taking App State. But since this is at altitude, I don’t want to touch the spread. The total seems low here. App State has had some high scoring games this season. And curiously, so have the Cowboys. The Texas game being the only one to be under the total here.

Pick: Over

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