Mountain West roundup: Utah State-New Mexico is key game
SATURDAY’S GAMES
COLORADO ST. AT WYOMING, 1 P.M., ESPN3
Fact: Colorado State (3-5, 1-3) and Wyoming (1-8, 1-4) play for the Bronze Boot. Fact: The Border War rivalry is the oldest for both schools, dating to an 1899 game in Laramie that the Cowboys forfeited. Fact: The schools don’t agree on the series record, with Colorado State listing it at 56-44-5 and Wyoming insisting on a 57-44-5 deficit. Fact: The Rams, who made the 65-mile drive from Fort Collins, Colo., to Laramie, Wyo., on Friday, have won the last two meetings (combined score: 97-53).
UTAH ST. AT NEW MEXICO, 1:30 P.M., CBSSN
Utah State, which needs to lose for Boise State to jump back into the Mountain Division race, plays its toughest remaining opponents over the next eight days. The Aggies (5-3, 4-1) first play at the pesky Lobos (4-4, 2-2), followed by next week’s trip to Air Force. Utah State has allowed 606 rushing yards in back-to-back weeks against San Diego State and Wyoming. Guess who’s Nos. 1-2 in the Mountain West in rushing offense? Air Force (353.4 yards per game) and New Mexico (248.4).
ARMY AT AIR FORCE, 1:30 P.M., ESPNU
Air Force (5-3, 4-1) can clinch bowl eligibility with a win over rival Army. Because it lost to Navy on Oct. 3, the Falcons will need help to retain the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. It would take a win over Army (2-6), plus a Black Knights victory over Navy in December.
HAWAII AT UNLV, 4 P.M.
Former NFL lineman Chris Naeole makes his debut as Hawaii’s interim coach, after Norm Chow was fired last week. He’s already replaced eight captains and the starting quarterback. “I don’t have the option of worrying about feelings,” Naeole said. Hawaii is 2-7 overall and 0-5 in the MW; UNLV is 2-6, 1-3.
FRIDAY’S GAME
BYU VS. SAN JOSE ST.
Game in progress at press time
THURSDAY’S GAME
NEVADA 30, FRESNO ST. 16
FRESNO, Calif — James Butler ran for 122 yards and a TD, freshman Dameon Baber tied a conference record with three interceptions and Nevada (5-4, 3-2) beat Fresno State (2-7, 1-5).
Copy by Statesman staff and MW exchange.
This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 12:03 AM with the headline "Mountain West roundup: Utah State-New Mexico is key game."