Mountain West Week Four Preview

Week four of the college football season get underway tomorrow with Cincinnati and Memphis getting a seat on the big stage. Mountain West action kicks into gear with the Boise State-Virginia on Friday night.

• Boise State at Virginia: Could we be seeing the coming out party of true freshman Brett Rypien at quarterback? Rypien saw action during the Idaho State game and looked like a star in the making. While it was against an FCS foe, Rypien seems to be the real deal. Virginia is not a bad team, but should not match up well versus Boise State. Expect the Broncos to look better than they have looked in a while on offense and move to 3-1 with this win.
• New Mexico at Wyoming: Expect to see the ball on the ground for a significant portion of the game. Running back Brian Hill has been the only good part of a disappointing 0-3 start to the season for Wyoming. If Wyoming learns how to put the ball in the endzone, they could have a chance to make some noise. New Mexico is too much on the road in this early Saturday afternoon game.
• Nevada at Buffalo: Nevada may be 1-2 on the season, but played Arizona and Texas A&M well before running out of gas in the second half. Buffalo is not on the talent level of either of those teams, so we should get a good matchup. The Bulls are coming off of an odd 33-15 win that saw the defense score three touchdowns and earn a safety. Buffalo will need that kind of magic once again to pull off this win. Expect Nevada to get back in the win column versus Buffalo.
• San Diego State at Penn State: This is another game that looked better heading into the season. San Diego State and Penn State have not yet lived up to expectations and nothing tells us that the tide will turn in week four. Both offenses have been bad, but the Aztecs have been a different type of bad this season. Expect Penn State to pull away in the second half for the win.
• Colorado State at UTSA: The scariest words in week four of the season for UTSA are “A healthy Rashard Higgins.” Higgins has struggled through an ankle injury this season, but looks like he is finally healthy as evidenced by 125 yards receiving versus Colorado. If he was healthy from the beginning, the Rams are most likely 3-0, rather than 1-2. UTSA is coming off of the worst loss in school history and just need to stay in games longer. Right now, it is just baby steps for a very inexperienced team. UTSA should give the Rams a push, but Colorado State is just too good overall to lose this game.
• Hawaii at Wisconsin: Hawaii heads to a Big 10 foe for the second time in three weeks after getting blanked 38-0 by Ohio State. Hawaii is 2-1 on the season and things look optimistic for the future as long as this stretch can be overcome. Wisconsin has responded from a season opening loss to Alabama with back to back wins over G5 programs. Expect the Badgers to make it three in a row with a win over Hawaii.
• Idaho State at UNLV: The jury is still out in the experiment of taking a high school coach and giving him a college job. UNLV has looked solid at times in losses to NIU and Michigan, while getting boatraced by UCLA. The Rebels should earn their first win of the season versus the FCS Idaho State Tigers.
• Fresno State at San Jose State: San Jose State may sit at 1-2 on the season, but they look like a different team from 2014. The Spartans played Oregon State and Air Force tough while dominating New Hampshire in the opener. Fresno State has been in a bit of a struggle this season in giving up 118 points in the last two games combined. Marteze Waller has been is normal workhorse self in the opening three games. This is a big game for both programs to prove what they are this season. San Jose State will find a way to win this game.

Three things to look out for:

1. Brett Rypien: Many expect the Broncos to start the Rypien era versus Virginia Friday night. If he does, expect some freshman trouble, but also several impressive plays that show he is ready for the spotlight.
2. Can the MWC get a non-conference FBS win?: Since week one, no MWC team has defeated a non-conference FBS team. The MWC has five chances to do so this week. Hopefully, at least one can break the streak.
3. Can someone stand up in the West? West division favorites San Diego State have looked poor in the opening weeks of the season, while 2014 division champs Fresno State are clearly rebuilding this season. Could San Jose State get in the fight for a division championship with a win over Fresno State this week?

Top game for week four:

• Boise State at Virginia: The poster child for the Mountain West and all of the G5 has been Boise State. The Broncos have another national tv game versus a P5 team to get some love for the conference.

Worst game this week:

• Idaho State at UNLV: If you are a fan of either team, I can understand you watching this game. Otherwise, spend time with family, go for a walk, enjoy nature, just do something more fun than watching this game.

Bye Weeks:

• Air Force
• Utah State