The sharp descent in quality among Mountain West teams has been both shocking and alarming.
Consider the conference’s two flagship programs, Boise State and San Diego State:
Friday, Boise was embarrassed in El Paso, 27-10, to UTEP. While Boise was down as many as 7 starters, UTEP is hardly a juggernaut (as evidenced by their 27-10 loss to New Mexico 6 days earlier). A “one off” due to an unlucky injury glut?: NOPE! The Broncos were coming off their worst record in decades with a 7-5 mark behind an untested first-year coach in Andy Avalos. Multi-year starter, Hank Bachmeier, has regressed due, in part, to an inept offensive line. Avalos announced the firing of offensive coordinator, Tim Plough, after the Broncos’ pitiful output of 177 yards. Will recycling ancient Boise head coach, Dirk Koetter, as the offensive coordinator be the salvation in Idaho? Doubtful.
San Diego State did pull off a last-ditch drive to beat Toledo, 17-14. However, Toledo’s QB, Dequan Finn, was hurt early in the game so the victory was slightly tainted. San Diego had massive 3rd down conversion woes against a team that gave up 77 points to Ohio State. Thankfully, Braxton Burmeister’s legs enabled the Aztecs to score the game-winning drive. Regrettably, the speedy Burmeister lacks throwing ability – a desirable quality for a QB to have.
The Aztecs’ offense has looked inept all year as their decade-long search for a quality QB continues. Brady Hoke seems content to coach 20th century football in the 21st century. Don Coryell is certainly rolling around in his grave. Watching the Aztecs offense is usually a painful experience for San Diegans.
Upstart 2021 conference champion, Utah State, laid the biggest egg, getting embarrassed 35-7 by Weber State. Another Big Sky program, Sacramento State took Colorado State to the woodshed, 41-10, in Fort Collins.
Air Force looked to be the class of the conference until a mass virus was a key element in their 17-14 upset loss at Wyoming. The same Wyoming that get belted at perennial Big 10-also ran, Illinois.
Hawaii probably is the worst of the 131 FCS teams in the aftermath of the Todd Graham debacle. In their game against Las Cruces against New Mexico State yesterday, the dormant Aggie offense rushed for 268 yards — in the FIRST half — en route to 35 points before halftime.
The Mountain West does appear cursed in 2022. In the conference’s showcase game last week at the Coliseum, Fresno State’s star QB, Jake Haener, was injured and missed most of the 45-17 loss to USC.
With such mass ineptitude, is all lost? If you ask UNLV, they might say no. With their win at Utah State, the perennial cellar dwellers look good and might be able to take advantage of the terrible football.