MWC Non-Conference Games to Watch

Non-Conference Games to watch:

• Washington at Boise State: I have written on several occasions about this game. Lots of drama with Chris Petersen coming back to town on the opposing sideline and the first trip of Washington to Boise and it being the opening Friday night of the season. This should be quite the game to start the season for both teams.
• Boise State at BYU: This game is a matchup of two of the top teams outside of the P5 and should be a good one. BYU with Taysom Hill is capable of beating nearly anyone in the nation, but without him they are very beatable. Boise State still has to clear up questions at quarterback but bring back a defense that should be one of the best in the G5 this fall
• BYU at Utah State: In a matchup dating back to 1922, the Aggies look to win two in a row versus BYU for the first time since the 1970s. The Cougars are looking to navigate a very tough schedule but have a healthy Taysom Hill, a huge improvement from last season. Hill versus Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton should be about as good as footbal gets.
• Air Force at Navy: Service Academy games are always a sight to see but they are so much better when both teams are playing at a high level. Air Force is coming off of a 10-win season and should give the Midshipmen of the AAC quite the game. If you are a fan of the option, circle this game on your calender because they running games are two of the best in the nation.
• Utah State at Utah: The Utes have been dominant in this series from the first meeting in 1892 and have only lost once to the Aggies since 1998. Utah State fields a team that could give the Pac 12 foe a run for their money with a suffocating defense and an offense that will be much improved with Keeton in the lineup. 
• Colorado at Colorado State: The Rams had an excellent 2014 season with one of the most explosive offenses in the nation and have won three of the last six meetings in a series dating back to the 1890s. Colorado is improving every year but the weapons including wide reciever Rashard Higgins will be tough for the Buffaloes defense to slow down.
• South Alabama at San Diego State: A good old Sun Belt/MWC matchup, the Mountain West has dominated the series in winning just over 70% of the games played. South Alabama has won thier only game versus a MWC foe with a 2013 win over Hawaii. SDSU is the preseason favorite to win their division so it should be very tough for the Jaguars to go cross country and pull out the win.
• Boise State at Virginia: The Broncos are never afraid to go cross country to face a P5 team and this season is no different with a trip to Virginia on the slate. Virginia is a bt down lately, taking some air out of this matchup but I would expect this to still be a reasonably fun game to watch. 
• San Diego State at California: The Golden Bears had one of the worst defenses in the nation and need to be much better if they are going to slow down Donnell Pumphrey and the Aztec rushing attack. San Diego State has high hopes and some even believe that they could be a candidate for a New Year's Day Bowl. This is a definite gut check game to see if they are really that good.
• Minnesota at Colorado State: The Rams are in a rare position of luring a Big 10 program to Fort Collins. The Rams are 0-2 versus Minnesota in school history with the last meeting 10 years ago. Colorado State, under new head coach Mike Bobo, has the weapons to pull out the win but must perform.