Big Sky Cold for everyone east of the great divide.
WAC Report--Congratulations to Coach Ault.
Nevada 37 Louisiana Tech 14
The Wolfpack built on the momentum they earned in the Fremont Cannon game last week and continued running through the Bulldog defense. This was coach Ault's 200th win. Happy he was able to reach that milestone in Reno. Proves that not every coach uses the WAC as a jumping ground to something bigger.
Idaho 29 San Jose State 25
The Cardiac Kids of the Kibbie take their show on the road and win a close one in San Jose. DeMaundray Woolridge scored a touchdown with just over a minute left to seal the win for Vandals. The bad news is that the Vandals nearly gave this one away with three Ederele interceptions. They can seal bowl eligibility next Saturday when Hawaii comes to Moscow.
New Mexico State 20 Utah State 17
The Utah State Aggies are improved on offense, and they are improved on defense. But in the wins and losses column? Looking at the stats, it looked like the USU Aggies dominated the game. Usually, the team with double the total offense of the other wins. But the inability to convert on a third and short late in the fourth quarter sealed the deal. It was the inability to convert on third down all game that caused both Aggie coaches headaches. Same thing that caused them problems last week in Provo. The Aggies have the suddenly streaking Nevada Wolfpack at Romney Stadium next. No time to cry in your Aggie Ice cream guys.
Fresno State 42 Hawaii 17
Well, so much for the Aloha magic of two years ago. Hawaii can not afford to wait until the waning moments of the 4th quarter to bring it out.
Offensive Player of the Week: Fresno State RB Ryan Colburn
Defensive Team of the Week: New Mexico State
Game of the Week: Idaho 29 San Jose State 25
Power Rankings
1. Boise State
2. Fresno State
3. Idaho
4. Nevada
5. New Mexico State
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Hawaii
8. Utah State
9. San Jose State
Mountain West Report--One Ute's effort
Wyoming 37 New Mexico 13
The Lobos almost did not make it to the game. They spent the night before in Cheyenne and had a snow plow escort to War Memorial Stadium. It took them until the second quarter to realize that it was cold. They had a 13-9 lead, but that did not last. BTW--Does anyone else find it curious that New Mexico did not get a home game during the Balloon Fiesta? Isn't hat is when it is customary for the Lobos to have Homecoming? I bet both teams were wishing for this one to be played in Albuquerque. It's a little too early for sub-zero wind chills. Give Austyn Carta-Samuels credit for playing well in his first cold weather game.
Utah 24 Colorado State 17
I normally do not single out a single defense player. I feel that one defensive player can have a great game, but if the ten other guys do not step up, so much for the victory. Yes, it was a team effort in Fort Collins. But the Utes were down 17 to 10 and the clock was winding down. Then Robert Johnson became Grant Stucker's worst nightmare. The successive Ram drives ended with a Johnson interception. The first two lead to Ute scores and the lead. The last one sealed the game.
TCU 20 Air Force 17
TCU held off a late Falcon rally to remain unbeaten. Jimmy Young had a nice receiving effort for the 'Frogs who figure to move up again in the rankings. Once again, however, Air Force proves that they are a force to be reckoned with in the MWC. The conference championship axis in this conference is the highway between Provo and Colorado Springs. TCU has connected one of those dots. Has the other in two weeks. But has to take care of Colorado State first.
BYU 59 UNLV 21
The annual Rebel October Swoon continues. Harvey Unga got 149 on the soft Rebel run defense. BYU was soft on UNLV and only ran up 611 yards to a team that surrendered over 700 last week. Will Mike Stanford be around to coach against his former team (Utah) next week. Again, I think that UNLV is holding out until the season's over because they can not afford to buy out the contract early. At this point, what's they hurry? My apologies to Harvey. Nice effort, but I have to consider the level of the competition in the OPTW award.
Offensive Player of the Week: TCU WR Jimmy Young
Defensive Team of the Week: Wyoming
Defensive Player of the Week: Utah DB Robert Johnson
Game of the Week: Utah 24 Colorado State 17
Power Rankings
1. TCU
2. BYU
3. Utah
4. Air Force
5. Wyoming
6. Colorado State
7. San Diego State
8. UNLV
9. New Mexico
Big Sky Report
Montana 35 Cal Poly 23
Let's say you have a 17 to 14 lead against Montana in Missoula going into the 4th quarter, what are your options? For Cal Poly, it must have involved little more than prayer. The Grizzlies rally for three 4th quarter scores and get a win against the Mustangs. Marc Mariani had a difficult to overlook performance including a long TD catch in the 4th.
Portland State 23 Northern Colorado 18
NCU held a 15 to 10 lead before the Vikings rallied back in the second half. The difference was a 3rd quarter Drew Hubel touchdown pass. You might expect a little more scoring from a Jerry Glanville team, but a win is a win.
Northern Arizona 23 Montana State 10
There has been a lot of scoring in Flagstaff this season, where has the defense has been hiding? Must have been in Bozeman all season. Why not? It is scenic, the fishing is good...but perhaps it was just the snow and wind this time. The Lumberjacks hold the Bobcats to only 246 yards of total offense. MSU "paid forward" all the generosity they received in Ogden last week and committed five turnovers this week. Both teams combined for a total of -5 yards rushing. You think that on a cold Saturday in Bozeman that these teams would keep the ball on the ground. Run the clock out a little more quickly. Get the hot apple cider rolling. Get on the bus back to Arizona...both teams...but nah. Why do things the easy way.
Weber State 31 Eastern Washington 13
Early in the first quarter, JC Sherritt picked off a Cameron Higgins pass and took it to the house and I though, here we go again. Not the case this week. EWU would not score again until the game was well in hand. Good bounce back win for the Wildcats.
Sacramento State 38 Idaho State 17
For the second time this season, Idaho State had a lead. I guess one has to count victories where they can. Things got a little sloppy for ISU in the second quarter where Sac State took and kept the lead. ISU has lost 22 of the last 23 games. It has been a long time since there has been a winning season in Pocatello. Earlier in this decade, ISU has some success and even won a share of the conference championship in 2002. Seems like ancient history now.
Offensive Player of the Week: Montana WR Marc Mariani
Defensive Team of the Week: Northern Arizona
Game of the week: Montana 35 Cal Poly 23
Big Sky Power Rankings...
1. Montana
2. Weber State
3. Northern Arizona
4. Eastern Washington
5. Montana State
6. Sacramento State
7. Portland State
8. Northern Colorado
9. Idaho State
This coming week, there is a Wednesday game. Boise State is in Tulsa. Both teams were off this Saturday. There is no reason to have Wednesday games in College Football. Going to class is more important. Wednesday night is a good night for ESPN to show poker instead of college football. One word of caution for BSU, Tulsa has ended a couple of BCS busting dreams before this season and this team is capable of ending yours. The Broncos had better take this game seriously. This is not Cal Davis. Tulsa 35 Boise State 21
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