Mountain West soccer energy rankings: Convention title recreation spots to be earned this week – Nevada Sports activities Internet

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Chris Murray
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Every week, Nevada Sports activities Internet’s Chris Murray will rank the Mountain West soccer groups. Listed below are this week’s rankings, with every workforce’s total report, its rating final week, its consequence final week, its subsequent opponent and a quick remark.
Rank final week: 1
Report: 9-2, 6-1 MW
Final week: Beat San Jose State, 25-3
This week: at New Mexico, 12:30 p.m. Friday (CBSSN)
Remark: SDSU received one other dominant defensive effort in opposition to a backup quarterback in its win over SJSU, which has been the story of its season. 5 of the Aztecs’ seven MW video games have come in opposition to backup QBs/gamers of their first faculty begin. SDSU has held 5 of its seven MW foes to 10 factors or fewer. Subsequent up comes a harder problem at New Mexico with a MW title recreation berth on the road.
Rank final week: 4
Report: 8-3, 5-2
Final week: Beat Air Drive, 20-3
This week: vs. San Diego State, 12:30 p.m. Friday (CBSSN)
Remark: Picked to complete eleventh within the MW within the preseason ballot only one level forward of Nevada, New Mexico is doubtlessly one win away from taking part in in its first MW title recreation. That win should come in opposition to SDSU, whose protection has been dominant however whose offense has been much less so. The Lobos held Air Drive’s triple choice to 110 speeding yards on 48 carries final week and wish a repeat effort this week.
Rank final week: 5
Report: 9-2, 5-2
Final week: Beat Hawaii, 38-10
This week: at Nevada, 6 p.m. (CBSSN)
Remark: UNLV drubbed Hawaii with QB Anthony Colandrea throwing for 3 touchdowns and the run recreation pitching in 217 yards. The Rebels had 29 first downs to Hawaii’s 12 of their most dominant effort of the season. UNLV will goal for a repeat efficiency this week in opposition to rival Nevada, a workforce it has crushed three straight occasions. The Rebels want a victory and a few assist to succeed in the MW title recreation.
Rank final week: 6
Report: 7-4, 5-2
Final week: Beat Colorado State, 49-21
This week: at Utah State, 1 p.m. Friday (CBS)
Remark: Boise State rebounded from back-to-back losses by pounding CSU with the Broncos hitting 250-plus yards by the air and on the bottom. Boise State ran for six touchdowns, with two every from Sire Gaines and Malik Sherrod. Subsequent up is a must-win recreation at Utah State because the Broncos want a win and SDSU win for a spot within the MW title recreation (Boise State can get in through different eventualities, too.)
Rank final week: 2
Report: 7-4, 4-3
Final week: Misplaced to UNLV, 38-10
This week: vs. Wyoming, 8 p.m.
Remark: Hawaii’s no-show at UNLV ended the Rainbow Warriors’ title recreation aspirations, though it’s been a very good season for coach Timmy Chang, whose workforce hosts Wyoming in search of its first eight-win common season since 2019, which was the one yr Hawaii performed for the MW championship. Okay Kansei Matsuzawa, who has made all 23 field-goal makes an attempt, is one in all three finalists for the Lou Groza Award.
Rank final week: 7
Report: 6-5, 4-3
Final week: Beat Fresno State, 28-17
This week: vs. Boise State, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Remark: Utah State upset Fresno State final week and can try to do the identical this week in opposition to Boise State. The Aggies overcame a 10-point halftime deficit by outscoring Fresno State 21-0 after intermission. Backup QB/WR Anthony Garcia threw two landing passes on two makes an attempt to clinch a bowl spot for the Aggies, who’re 5-0 at residence and can host Boise State in Logan this week.
Rank final week: 3
Report: 7-4, 4-3
Final week: Misplaced to Utah State, 28-17
This week: at San Jose State, 7:30 p.m. (FS1)
Remark: Fresno State fell aside within the second half in opposition to Utah State final week and was eradicated from convention title competition. After a 5-1 begin, the Bulldogs have misplaced three of their final 5 video games. E.J. Warner was reinserted because the workforce’s beginning quarterback in opposition to Utah State and supplied solely reasonably higher outcomes. The Bulldogs play at SJSU this week within the “Battle for the Valley” rivalry.
Rank final week: 12
Report: 3-8, 2-5
Final week: Beat Wyoming, 13-7
This week: vs. UNLV, 6 p.m. (CBSSN)
Remark: Nevada vaults 4 spots after its win at Wyoming, which got here right down to the ultimate play because the Wolf Pack received a cease after the Cowboys superior to the 1-yard line after a 17-play, 77-yard drive. Nevada took a conservative offensive method to try to reduce turnovers, and it labored – simply barely as Wyoming’s lone rating got here on a brief discipline after a takeaway. Nevada should get extra from its offense in opposition to rival UNLV this week because the Pack seems to be to cap the season on a three-game win streak.
Rank final week: 8
Report: 4-7, 2-5
Final week: Misplaced to Nevada, 13-7
This week: at Hawaii, 8 p.m.
Remark: Wyoming’s offense has produced simply 17 factors during the last three video games, and also you’re not beating anyone with that lack of manufacturing. The loss to Nevada eradicated the Cowboys from bowl competition with Wyoming dropping seven of its final 9 video games after a 2-0 begin. The Cowboys finish the season at Hawaii the place the groups play for the Paniolo Trophy, a bronze cowboy on horseback.
Rank final week: 9
Report: 3-8, 2-5
Final week: Misplaced to New Mexico, 20-3
This week: at Colorado State, midday Friday (FS1)
Remark: Air Drive was restricted to 110 speeding yards in final week’s loss to New Mexico, the Falcons’ fewest since a 2019 loss to Navy (108). The Falcons appeared poised to be one of many prime groups within the rebuilt MW beginning 2026 however are coming off back-to-back robust seasons (5-7 final yr). Air Drive might nonetheless be an elite MW soccer program, however that’s now in some doubt given the latest struggles.
Rank final week: 10
Report: 3-8, 2-5
Final week: Misplaced to San Diego State, 25-3
This week: vs. Fresno State, 7:30 p.m. (FS1)
Remark: SJSU has crumbled to finish the season with the Spartans additionally dropping QB Walker Eget to harm early in final week’s recreation in opposition to SDSU. SJSU’s a lot maligned protection, which noticed coordinator Derek Odum fired earlier than final week’s recreation, did maintain the Aztecs to 248 yards. But it surely wasn’t sufficient. SJSU has misplaced 5 of six video games getting into the regular-season finale in opposition to rival Fresno State.
Rank final week: 11
Report: 2-9, 1-6
Final week: Misplaced to Boise State, 49-21
This week: vs. Air Drive, midday Friday (FS1)
Remark: It’s one factor to lose video games. It’s one other to lose with out class. In Colorado State’s four-touchdown loss at Boise State, Rams QB Darius Curry and OL Liam Wortmann each spit on Broncos gamers and have been suspended this week. Enjoying Air Drive on Friday, Colorado State seems to be for back-to-back wins within the Ram-Falcon Trophy sequence for the primary time since 2002-03.
Sports activities columnist Chris Murray gives perception on Northern Nevada sports activities. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or comply with him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.

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