New Mexico Holds Firm as Mountain West Rankings Shift
The Mountain West football conference has changed subtly but significantly. According to the latest power rankings released by Nevada Sports Net’s Chris Murray, New Mexico continues to command the top spot, though their path to a potential College Football Playoff berth is currently being paved more by a stout defensive unit than a prolific scoring attack.
The Lobos solidified their position with a 21-16 victory over North Dakota State last week, a win largely secured by Austin Brawley’s 56-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. While the win kept New Mexico undefeated in league play, the offensive output has become a point of concern. Quarterback Toa Fa’avae has struggled to find his rhythm, tallying 151 yards and three interceptions without a single touchdown across the last two games. With the stakes rising, the team’s ability to generate points will be the defining factor in whether their season culminates in a postseason appearance.
North Dakota State’s Close Calls
North Dakota State sits firmly in the second position, despite the recent loss to the Lobos. The Bison, currently in their first season at the FBS level, have demonstrated that they are competitive against any opponent in the conference. However, their record is marred by two losses that share a frustratingly similar narrative. In both instances—against UNLV earlier this year and New Mexico last week—quarterback Nathan Hayes has surrendered a pick-six.
My weekly Mountain West football (🏔️🏈) power rankings1⃣New Mexico📈Wyoming📈Nevada📉Air Force📉San Jose State💀Northern Illinois https://t.co/YZ9B6uH4HT
With sharper quarterback play, NDSU would be undefeated.
The defensive unit has been exceptional, surrendering just six points in the UNLV loss and 14 in the setback against New Mexico. The contrast between the elite performance of the defense and the volatility under center remains the primary obstacle for the Bison as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against UTEP.
Wyoming’s Surprising Ascent
The most dramatic movement in this week’s rankings belongs to Wyoming, which vaulted into the third spot after a 28-14 victory over Air Force. While the ranking may reflect a resume-based assessment rather than a pure talent evaluation, the impact of the win cannot be overstated. Tyler Hughes has been the catalyst for the Cowboys, accounting for seven touchdowns over the last two games while racking up 421 rushing yards in his previous three outings.
This result forced a significant slide for Air Force, which dropped to fourth. The Falcons have struggled to adjust to the absence of quarterback Liam Szarka, who is sidelined for the year. The team found itself forced into an uncomfortable passing rhythm against Wyoming, attempting 15 passes and managing only a single touchdown. Three fumbles further compounded their difficulties, highlighting a lack of execution that the coaching staff must address before their game against UConn.
The Middle and Bottom of the Table
UNLV remains in the fifth position, holding steady despite a bye week. The Rebels find themselves in a unique situation where they were leapfrogged by Wyoming based on the transitive property—Air Force defeated UNLV, and Wyoming subsequently beat Air Force. Despite this, the path to the Mountain West title game remains entirely within their control for the fourth straight season. UNLV faces a favorable closing stretch, beginning with a game against a winless Northern Illinois squad currently managed by an interim coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Nevada has climbed to sixth place following a 28-13 win over San Jose State. The Wolf Pack’s performance is notable given that they were operating with third-string quarterback Luke Duncan. San Jose State, which dropped to seventh, remains mired in quarterback uncertainty. In their loss to Nevada, the Spartans cycled through three different signal-callers, with Luke Weaver showing more production in a brief fourth-quarter appearance than the two players who started the game.
At the bottom of the conference, Hawaii broke a four-game losing streak with a decisive 56-21 win over Northern Illinois, while UTEP and Northern Illinois continue to search for answers. For Northern Illinois, the focus has shifted toward a coaching search, with former NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch being mentioned as a potential candidate, though his experience as a high school coach since 2018 remains a point of skepticism for many observers.
As the conference moves into the final weeks, the gap between the top-tier contenders and the rest of the pack has become increasingly defined by quarterback consistency and the ability to minimize costly errors. The upcoming schedule will ultimately test whether the current hierarchy is a reflection of true parity or merely a temporary fluctuation in a highly volatile season.
