Top 10 Mountain West Football Non-Conference Games
What non-league games are the most important?
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
Let’s discuss the big OOC games
There are plenty of non-conference Mountian West football games and we decided to rank the games that are the most important for the team and secondary to the league.
A few high profile one’s not on the list include Nevada taking on Oregon or Utah State traveling to Baton Rouge to face LSU. The reason for that are those are very, very likely to be a loss so we are trying to be realistic with this list of 10 games that could be wins for the conference.
10. Purdue at Nevada, Aug. 31
This is a great test for Nevada and whoever takes over at quarterback. Purdue’s win total projections are set at 7.5 so the Boilermakers will be a tough team on offense since they retained head coach Jeff Brohm. The passing game is what Nevada needs to do is try to stop a potential top-10 air attack. This game is near a toss-up since it is in Reno.
9. Hawaii vs. Arizona, Aug. 24
This is a Week 0 game and even if it were to be in a crowded weekend of games it has the chance to stand out because there should be a lot of points from each team.
Arizona is in the second year of Kevin Sumlin who should get the Wildcats improved and quarterback Khalil Tate has potential to be a great dual-threat like he was in 2017.
This is a very winnable game for the Warriors at home despite being a very early double-digit underdog.
8. Boise State at BYU, Oct. 19
This is here due to close games over the years and also that this is a rivalry matchup. By the time this game is played, Boise State will have its quarterback positioned ironed out and the Cougars should have a completely healthy Zach Wilson who is still recovering from shoulder surgery.
The Broncos have won three in a row but in Provo have dropped two of three since 2013. This is important because the Cougars should be improved from last year and this game is usually close with three of the past four being decided by 11 points or less.
7. Fresno State vs. Minnesota, Sept. 7
Fresno State really wants revenge over what happened last year on the road taking on Minnesota. This time is at home and the biggest concern for the Bulldogs is to stop the Golden Gophers ground attack that is led by Mo Ibrahim rushed for 1,160 yards and had nine touchdowns, plus there is Bryce Williams who added 502 yards as a freshman.
However, quarterback play is an issue with Minnesota and it was not exceptional with Tanner Morgan and Zack Annexstad, however wide receiver Tyler Johnson could be taken within the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Johnson is joined by Rashod Bateman who is hopeful to have a great season.
6. Air Force vs. Army, Nov. 2
Army should be a good team but how good is the question at hand since the Black Knights have an extremely soft schedule. This game will very likely determine who will win the coveted Commander-In-Chief trophy. Army does return quarterback Kelvin Hopkins is back who rushed for 1,017 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The big loss in this Army triple-option attack is fullback Darnell Woolfolk who had 956 yards and 14 touchdowns. There will be a replacement for the fullback but breaking in a new guy is not always extremely easy.
5. Air Force at Colorado, Sept. 14
These two teams are separated by only 97 miles but have only played 16 times ever and this matchup will be the first time they have played since 1974. Having the in-state foes finally play is a big deal but it would mean a lot for the Falcons to defeat the Buffaloes who are in the Pac-12 but also beat an in-state foe.
The one big concern the Falcons have will be with its secondary, which could be lackluster, going up against possibly the best wide receiver in all of college football in Laviska Shenault.
4. Nevada at Wake Forest, Aug. 31
Nevada will not know what quarterback they will face when they go on the road to North Carolina to face Wake Forest. The two in mind are Jamie Newman and Sam Hartman and both should be a good choice.
What this could come down to is what Wake Forest offense will show up? Last year, they scored 50 points or more four times and 27 points or fewer in seven games. That ended up good enough for 28th in the country but the big swing is not ideal and something the Wolf Pack could use to its advantage.
3. San Diego State at UCLA, Sept. 7
This game is always one that the Aztecs would love to play more often. These two have met just six times since 2002 and prior to that there was a 10-game series from 1984-93. Besides those dates, this game is not played often and San Diego State really wants to get a win.
The Bruins have head coach Chip Kelly going into its second year and late in the season, the offense started to be really good for its young team. This game will test the Aztecs defense as this UCLA offense has players like QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Joshua Kelley.
2. Fresno State at USC, Aug. 31
This is a huge opener for Fresno State which is trying to prove it is still a top 25 team despite losing some serious talent on both sides of the ball. Plus, they want to prove something against the Trojans. USC is coming off of a 5-7 year so there is pressure mounting on head coach Clay Helton, but there is always talent at Southern Cal but getting it going is the issue.
One player that could take a huge step is sophomore QB J.T. Daniels and the offense is being led by Graham Harrell, who came over from North Texas, and it should see a lot more passing and open play. The Bulldogs will need to study up on not only the USC players but the Mean Green and its quarterback Mason Fine to get a feel for what to expect.
1. Boise State vs. Florida State (Jacksonville), Aug. 31
Another big name opponent on the schedule but had a bad 2018 season. This is basically a road game since it is in driving distance of Florida State’s campus in Tallahassee. The Seminoles, just like Boise State, will have a new starting quarterback and it might be Wisconsin transfer Alex Hornibrook or sophomore James Blackman.
One area where Boise State can make some noise with its defensive front which is going up against a Florida State offensive line that lost three starters from a unit that was just so-so.
