mountain West Football: Weekend Preview – Boise State, San Diego State Headline Key Matchups
The Mountain west Conference is set for an exciting week of football, featuring four compelling contests. This slate includes pivotal matchups with conference championship implications and a historic rivalry renewed. The action kicks off Friday night and continues through Saturday, offering fans a full weekend of gridiron action.
Friday Night Lights: Boise State at Nevada
The Boise State Broncos will travel to Reno to face the Nevada Wolf Pack on Friday evening, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM PT on CBS Sports Network. Boise State, currently favored by 21.5 points, is aiming for their sixth win of the season and bowl eligibility, a feat they’ve achieved for 27 consecutive years.
The Broncos’ offense is finding success running the ball, especially with Dylan Riley, who amassed 201 yards against UNLV last week. Nevada has struggled to contain opposing rushing attacks, allowing an average of 4.22 yards per carry. The Broncos are expected to exploit this vulnerability.
Saturday Showdowns: Championship & Rivalry Games
Saturday’s schedule boasts three intriguing matchups, including a reunion for Bronco Mendenhall and a crucial contest between San Diego State and Fresno State. The day concludes with the annual “Border War” between Colorado State and Wyoming.
Utah State at New Mexico: A Coach’s Return
Utah State Aggies Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall returns to Albuquerque to face his former team, the New Mexico Lobos. Both teams enter with 4-3 records. New Mexico is a three-point favourite in a game expected to be high-scoring, with an over/under of 61.5.Utah state’s Bryson Barnes currently leads the conference in several key statistical categories.
San Diego State at fresno State: Championship Implications
San Diego State Aztecs will travel to Fresno to take on the Fresno State Bulldogs in a contest with significant conference championship ramifications. San Diego State is a 3.5-point favorite, and the game is expected to be a defensive battle, with a low over/under of 47.5. The aztecs boast one of the nation’s top defenses, allowing just 12.2 points per game. Turnovers could prove critical, as San diego state has been excellent at protecting the ball.
Colorado State at Wyoming: The Border War
The Colorado State Rams will face the Wyoming Cowboys in the annual “Bronze Boot” rivalry game. Wyoming is favored by six points. Colorado State enters the contest with a new interim head coach, Tyson Summers, following the departure of Jay Norvell. Wyoming has struggled with slow starts this season but is a strong defensive team, particularly against the pass. The Cowboys are expected to secure the victory and retain the Bronze Boot.
Here’s a rapid look at the weekend’s key matchups:
| Game | Date & Time | spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State at Nevada | Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM PT | Boise State -21.5 | 50.5 |
| Utah State at new Mexico | Saturday, October 25, 12:00 PM PT | New Mexico -3 | 61.5 |
| San Diego state at Fresno State | Saturday, October 25, 12:30 PM PT | San Diego State -3.5 | 47.5 |
| Colorado State at Wyoming | Saturday,October 25,4:30 PM PT | Wyoming -6 | 46.5 |
Understanding College Football Spreads and over/Unders
For those new to sports betting, the “spread” represents a point advantage given to the underdog team. A negative spread (e.g., Boise state -21.5) means that team is favored and must win by more than 21.5 points to cover the spread. The “over/under” represents the total combined points scored by both teams; bettors predict whether the actual total will be higher (over) or lower (under) than that number.
Did You know? Bowl eligibility in college football requires a team to achieve six wins during the regular season.
Pro tip: Always consider a team’s recent performance, injuries, and past matchups when evaluating betting lines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain West Football
- What is the Mountain West Conference? The Mountain West Conference is an NCAA Division I conference comprised of 12 universities across the Western United States.
- Which team is favored to win the Mountain West Championship? Current predictions favor Boise State to win the conference championship.
- What does “covering the spread” mean? It means that the team you bet on won the game by more points than the point spread assigned to them.
- What is the importance of the “Border War” rivalry? The “Border War” between Colorado State and Wyoming is a historic rivalry with a long-standing tradition and a coveted trophy.
- How can I watch these Mountain West games? Games are broadcast on various networks, including CBS Sports Network and the MW Network.
- What impact will coaching changes have on team performance? Coaching changes can have a significant, but unpredictable, impact on team performance, often providing an initial emotional boost.
- Why are turnovers so important in college football? Turnovers are critical because they give the opposing team extra possessions, substantially increasing their chances of scoring.
What are your predictions for the biggest upset of the weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
