Nov 20, 2015; Boise, ID, USA; Air Force Falcons quarterback Karson Roberts (16) looks for a receiver during the first half versus the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Diego State and Air Force clinched Mountain West division titles Saturday without even being on the field.
San Diego State, which is 7-0 in the conference, won the West when Nevada lost to Utah State. The Aztecs beat UNLV later that night anyway.
Air Force won the Mountain when Colorado State beat New Mexico. The Falcons put themselves in that position by upsetting Boise State on Friday night in Boise.
Both teams will be making their first appearance in the Mountain West championship game on Dec. 5. The host will be determined by a compilation of four computer rankings unless one of the teams sneaks into the College Football Playoff Top 25 on Tuesday, which would be a stunner.
The teams are closely matched in the computers. Air Force, which lost to Michigan State and Navy and beat Boise State and Utah State, may get the edge based on strength of schedule. The Falcons finish at New Mexico while San Diego State plays at home against Nevada.
AIR FORCE (8-3, 6-1)
Game: Air Force 37, Boise State 30. Quarterback Karson Roberts provided big plays through the air for the second straight week (279 yards on nine completions), then threw three interceptions to let the Broncos back into the game. But Boise State, which trailed 34-13 in the third quarter, couldn’t muster enough offense to pull off the comeback. Air Force won the yardage battle 607-to-378.
Takeaway: Falcons coach Troy Calhoun was on the hot seat two years ago. Now he’s beaten Boise State two years in a row, has won a division title and could post consecutive 10-win seasons.
Next: at New Mexico, Nov. 28
BOISE STATE (7-4, 4-3)
Game: Air Force 37, Boise State 30. The Broncos lost at home for the second straight week — the first time since 1997 that they’ve lost consecutive home games. The defense allowed 607 yards, including 279 to Air Force’s passing attack, and quarterback Brett Rypien completed less than half of his passes. The Broncos led 10-0 after the first two plays were an 83-yard touchdown run and a fumble recovery but were outscored 34-3 over the next 35 minutes.
Takeaway: The Broncos have lost three of their past five games and have dropped three conference games for the first time since 1998. It’s time for some soul-searching.
Next: at San Jose State, Nov. 27
COLORADO STATE (6-5, 4-3)
Game: Colorado State 28, New Mexico 21. The Rams gained bowl eligibility in a back-and-forth game in Albuquerque. Quarterback Nick Stevens threw for 264 yards and led an 87-yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown. New Mexico tried to answer but quarterback Lamar Jordan threw a pair of interceptions.
Takeaway: The Rams seemingly turned a corner midway through the season. They have won four of their past five games, including a victory against division winner Air Force.
Next: at Fresno State, Nov. 28
FRESNO STATE (3-8, 2-5)
Game: BYU 52, Fresno State 10. Cougars quarterback Tanner Mangum threw for 336 yards to lead the BYU rout. Fresno State quarterback Zack Greenlee followed his six-TD effort against Hawaii with 125 passing yards and three interceptions.
Takeaway: Fresno State allowed 40-plus points for the sixth time in 11 games. The QB play has been a problem, but even with an outstanding offense this team would be in trouble.
Next: vs. Colorado State, Nov. 28
HAWAII (2-10, 0-8)
Game: San Jose State 42, Hawaii 23. San Jose State quarterback Kenny Potter accounted for five touchdowns in the first half as the Spartans blew open the game. The Warriors scored 16 points late to make the score look better than it was. Paul Harris rushed for 179 yards and a TD.
Takeaway: The Warriors have lost nine straight and finished winless in the Mountain West. Finding a coach who can get this program back on track will be difficult.
Next: vs. Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 28
NEVADA (6-5, 4-3)
Game: Utah State 31, Nevada 27. The Wolf Pack squandered this game in spectacular fashion. They led 27-7 early in the third quarter. The offense didn’t score the rest of the game, except when it gave the Aggies the game-winning touchdown when quarterback Tyler Stewart fumbled a shotgun snap and linebacker Kyler Fackrell recovered in the end zone.
Takeaway: This could have been a much better season for Nevada. The Pack stumbled offensively in the second half against UNLV, didn’t show up for a road game against woeful Wyoming and blew the 20-point lead at Utah State.
Next: at San Diego State, Nov. 28
NEW MEXICO (6-5, 4-3)
Game: Colorado State 28, New Mexico 21. The Lobos’ Mountain Division title hopes disappeared with the loss to the Rams. The Lobos took a 21-20 lead midway through the third quarter but never scored again. Quarterback Lamar Jordan tossed two interceptions in the fourth quarter when they had the ball with a chance to tie.
Takeaway: The Lobos have had an impressive turnaround season and likely will stay home for the New Mexico Bowl.
Next: vs. Air Force, Nov. 28
SAN DIEGO STATE (8-3, 7-0)
Game: San Diego State 52, UNLV 14. Donnel Pumphrey rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns as the Aztecs continued to steamroll the Mountain West with their rushing attack and defense. San Diego State has won five straight games by at least 23 points and will play in the conference championship game.
Takeaway: It looks like the only thing that could stop the Aztecs from winning the Mountain West is the computers that will decide where the championship game is played. Air Force is riding a school-record home winning streak.
Next: vs. Nevada, Nov. 28
SAN JOSE STATE (5-6, 4-3)
Game: San Jose State 42, Hawaii 23. Spartans quarterback Kenny Potter accounted for five touchdowns in the first half. Star tailback Tyler Ervin added 114 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards in the blowout.
Takeaway: The Spartans are one win away from bowl eligibility. They’ll have to beat Boise State on Friday at home — a win that seems far more achievable now than it did a couple weeks ago.
Next: vs. Boise State, Nov. 27
UNLV (3-8, 2-5)
Game: San Diego State 52, UNLV 14. Donnel Pumphrey rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns as UNLV’s defense continued its late-season slide. The Rebels committed five turnovers in the first half and finished the game with 80 rushing yards.
Takeaway: A season that at one time was providing optimism for the future has turned ugly. The Rebels have lost five of the past six games, allowing at least 31 points in each of the losses.
Next: at Wyoming, Nov. 28
UTAH STATE (6-5, 5-3)
Game: Utah State 31, Nevada 27. The Aggies, once conference title contenders, were on the verge of staying home for the holidays when their defense bailed them out. Linebacker Kyler Fackrell recovered a fumble in the end zone with 6:55 left in the game to complete a comeback from 20 points down in the second half. Devante Mays rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Takeaway: The Aggies lost three out of four games before Nevada came to town. They needed this win because they finish the regular season against BYU.
Next: vs. BYU, Nov. 28
WYOMING (1-10, 1-6)
Game: Idle.
Next: vs. UNLV, Nov. 28
FIVE BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM WEEK 12 IN THE MW:
1. The championship game will be intriguing. Air Force and San Diego State are both playing terrific defense and both can run it well. The key might be which quarterback delivers.
2. The Mountain West could have a controversy on its hands. The host for the conference championship game is decided by rankings, not record, to ensure that the team with the best chance of playing in a New Year’s Six bowl is protected. But that could end up with an 8-0 San Diego State traveling to play Air Force.
3. What’s wrong with Boise State? Nobody has a clear answer, but the Broncos have lost three of their past five games. They’re using a true freshman quarterback and lack depth at the offensive skill positions, but that doesn’t explain why the defense gave up a couple years’ worth of 40-plus-yard plays in two weeks.
4. The division disparity continues. The Mountain doesn’t have as much strength at the top as last year, but it has five bowl-eligible teams. The West likely will have just two.
5. Another weird week. The road teams went 4-1 in conference games this week, continuing a trend of strange results. The only home win: Utah State, which was down by 20 in the second half against Nevada before rallying.
