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Bold Mountain West Football Predictions
Time to get weird with football back.
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Time to make some (stupid) picks
Mountain West football is so close to being back but before the season begins, our staff decided to make some bold predictions. These are meant to be fun, silly, weird, and possibly way out there and are all for fun.
For your own bowl predictions, hit us up on Twitter @MWCWire with your blazing take. On the podcast, we sometimes do a “Stupid Upset Pick” so think about some of these picks in that vein.
These also are different from our more traditional previews and picks throughout this very long offseason, so keep that in mind if there are a few that look out of place.
Josh Fredlund, CSU writer –
Rams win both rivalry games against Air Force and Wyoming. Also, Colorado State finishes with a winning record.
Multiple Mountain West teams finish in the top 25 at the end of the year.
Sam McConkie, Utah State writer –
Utah State will have the best offense in the conference, points per game.
One Mountain West team will go undefeated.
Sean O’Toole, Air Force writer –
Air Force will have their complete offensive-line on the all-conference team (this includes 3rd team selections). They will have a second consecutive season with zero missed field goals.
The Mountain West won’t finish the season with a ranked team (cue the boos). I think the late season start will hurt them and get these “fun belt” and C-USA teams more attention.
Raja Prabhala, Boise State writer –
Boise State will win the Mountain West and Hank Bachmeier, George Holani, and Shakir will all prove they are NFL material. Khalil Shakir will likely leave after this season despite having two more eligible seasons left.
Erwin Mendoza, San Diego State writer –
San Diego State misses the Mountain West title game.
Two programs will suspend the season due to COVID-19.
Matt Kenerly, Fresno State writer, editor –
This year’s championship game will be a repeat of last year’s: Hawaii and Nevada will both go 7-1 and the Warriors will get in based on the head-to-head edge.
Logan Jones, Utah State writer –
Utah State Bold: Andrew Peasley will end the year with more TDs, yards and wins than Jason Shelley.
Conference Bold prediction: Boise State @ Hawaii proves to be the Mountain West game of the year.
Ted McGovern, SDSU writer –
San Diego State will struggle with its new identity in the post-Rocky Long era. Carson Baker will perform better than anticipated and the Aztec passing game will eclipse its running game this season. Brady Hoke will NOT play any concussed athletes in 2020.
Bold Prediction: Boise State is the only conference team to experience a widespread Covid outbreak, and is forced to end their season in diseased disgrace. Patient zero is identified to be an overzealous superfan who moonlights as a Mountain West Wire writer.
Roger Holien, New Mexico writer –
New Mexico under new Coach Danny Gonzales and Defensive Coordinator Rocky Long will pay early dividends with the 3-3-5 defense installed. One could look at Long’s history on all the teams he has coached (Oregon State, UCLA, New Mexico, SDSU) and see this defense is very effective at stopping the run. The offense under OC Derek Warehime will also have success with Senior Quarterback Tevaka Tuioti and talented receivers including a big mismatch for most small Defenders, Senior Marcus Williams. Williams should thrive and have a breakout year for the Lobos especially in the era of versatile tight ends who can play both on the line of scrimmage and be spread out as a slot receiver.
Mountain West Football: Every Team’s Initial 2020 Depth Chart
Bold Prediction: New Mexico will live up to their hashtag #win5 mantra going 5-3 in the Mountain West this year. (This was the prediction prior to New Mexico vs. Colorado State getting canceled)
Jeremy Mauss, managing editor –
San Jose State will finish with a .500 record.
Boise State will lose two games.
New Mexico will not play a home game all season.
Wyoming vs. Nevada will be the Mountain West championship game.
