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Top 10 Conference Games on the 2018 Mountain West Football Schedule

Now that we know the “when” of next fall’s Mountain West Conference schedule, what games should we look forward to the most?

It’s never too early to get hyped for what should be the Mountain West’s biggest games.

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The Mountain West football schedule has been released far and wide, which means that fans across the western United States are surely making plans for tailgates and road trips already. The conference as a whole looks primed for a big year with at least three teams in the mix for a championship berth, but what are the big games that everyone, regardless of their allegiances, should circle on their calendar?

Here’s what we think.

10. November 10 – New Mexico at Air Force

If you’re wondering why this game made the list, consider the point totals racked up by these two teams in the last five years: 94, 85, 82, 66, 82. Defenses despair.

9. August 25 – Hawaii at Colorado State

The sooner that college football is back in our lives, the better, but conference play in week zero adds a nice little twist. On one hand, the Warriors will be eager to rebound after a disappointing 2017, while the Rams hope to re-establish themselves as true contenders after falling well short of their lofty expectations a year ago.

8. November 10 – Colorado State at Nevada

Will the biggest little town in America be Upset City this fall? Not only will the Wolf Pack get division champion Fresno State at home (more on that in a moment), they also host San Diego State, Boise State and the Rams, in a rematch of one of 2017’s most fun back-and-forth affairs.

7. October 13 – Fresno State at Nevada

The Wolf Pack’s big play passing attack seemed to hit its stride late in 2017, which makes Fresno State’s trip to Reno, the Bulldogs’ conference opener, a potentially epic contrast of styles. The Bulldogs defense kept Ty Gangi in check a year ago, but an off-day could help Jay Norvell’s team derail some big Central Valley dreams.

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6. October 13 – UNLV at Utah State

Both of these teams have set the bar higher coming into 2018, as the Rebels are primed to take the last step toward bowl eligibility and the Aggies look to make their own leap forward as the darkest of championship dark horses. Throw in a couple of exciting young quarterbacks, Armani Rogers and Jordan Love, and this could be a track meet to remember.

5. October 19 – Colorado State at Boise State

One of just two Friday night games between Mountain West rivals, Mike Bobo’s Rams will certainly hope to ruin the Broncos’ sky-high aspirations with a measure of revenge after last year’s collapse in Fort Collins.

4. October 27 – Wyoming at Colorado State

The battle for the Bronze Boot War enters a new era after the departures of Josh Allen, Nick Stevens and Michael Gallup. Craig Bohl’s defense figures to be as potent as ever, but will the Rams make good in a big rivalry game after a year of struggles?

3. November 17 – San Diego State at Fresno State

It was the Bulldogs’ shockingly convincing win over the Aztecs that heralded their arrival as a force with which to be reckoned, which makes the trip to Bulldog Stadium a late stop on SDSU’s projected revenge tour. In the season’s penultimate weekend, the winner of this matchup may wrap up both the Oil Can and the West division title.

2. October 6 – San Diego State at Boise State

The Broncos won’t have it easy in their attempt to get back to the Mountain West championship, but they their two toughest interdivision opponents at home. The Aztecs surely haven’t forgotten how the Broncos made themselves at home in San Diego last October, so the opportunity to pay them back in opening up conference play will make for a phenomenal narrative.

1. November 10 – Fresno State at Boise State

After last year’s classic bouts in back-to-back weeks, this is an easy choice. The Bulldogs will head to the blue turf once again seeking to defend the Milk Can with their first win ever at Albertsons Stadium, and the winner may very well earn the inside track to the Group of 5’s big money bowl game.