Mountain West - Week 3 Lessons Learned

Week 3 of the 2010 Football season featured some big non-conference matchups. What did we learn this week?

The Conference has a Heisman Trophy Candidate
Andy Dalton continues to keep himself in the Heisman Trophy discussion. Dalton hit his first 11 passes in a 45-10 annihilation of Baylor. For the season, he has completed 74% of his passes with 4 TD’s against 2 INT’s. However, what the stats do not measure is Dalton’s leadership. With the team’s Week 2 win, Dalton became the school’s all–time winningest QB, passing the legendary Sammy Baugh. With his stats, his leadership, and TCU’s possible BCS title game run, Dalton will be heading to New York in December.

Mountain West vs. the Big Twelve
This weekend, the Mountain West squared off against the Big Twelve in three games, with the Big 12 winning two of the three. While TCU’s 45-10 drubbing of Baylor might have garnered the most attention, the other two games made an even stronger statement. San Diego State took the lead against #24 Missouri in the 4th quarter before losing the game in the last minute 27-24. Air Force almost erased a 27-10 4th quarter deficit before losing by three against the #7 Oklahoma Sooners. These close losses demonstrate that the top of the conference can play with anyone, especially the Big 12.

Worst Team
Colorado State has earned the title “Worst Team in the Mountain West”.

The Rams entered the week 0-2, but had a solid chance to collect their first win against MAC opponent Miami (Ohio). Unfortunately, Colorado State lost 31-10. After taking a 3-0 lead, the Rams surrendered 31 points before scoring a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. While the passing game finally clicked, the running game was limited to 1 yard on 22 carries.

The touchdown that CSU scored was the first touchdown that the offense has scored all year. To make matters worse, the Rams have a turnover ratio of -7. With a game against Idaho this weekend, and a full conference schedule remaining, Colorado State must improve in these areas, or they will finish in last place.

QB of the Future
After starting out 0-3, New Mexico fans finally got some good news in Saturday’s 56-14 loss to Utah. With BR Holbrook sitting out with an injury, and Brad Gruner taking a hard shot at the end of the first half, QB Tarean Austin saw his first extensive action of the season.

Austin did not disappoint. After throwing an interception to end his first drive, he settled in and started moving the Lobo offense. In the 4th quarter, he went 6 for 6 leading the Lobos to their only offensive touchdown. For the night, Austin led the team in rushing with 38 yards, and went 15 of 27 for 128 yards passing.

While Coach Locksley said that Holbrook would start at QB when he’s healthy, Austin’s play serves as a bright spot in an otherwise terrible season.

BCS Automatic Bid
After watching some non-conference games, the Mountain West will definitely earn an automatic bid to the BCS in the near future, despite losing traditional heavyweights Utah and BYU.

Next season, the conference welcomes new members Boise State, Nevada, and Fresno State. These three teams have played great football this season, combining for an 8-0 record. Fresno State defeated Cincinnati of the Big East during week 1, while Nevada crushed California this weekend. Boise State carries a #3 ranking after beating Virginia Tech, and blowing out Wyoming.

With Boise poised for possible third BCS bowl, and Fresno State’s “we’ll play anyone, anytime, anywhere” attitude, the future Mountain West will continue to make noise on the national scene. Should the conference or Boise win a BCS game this year, the Mountain West will have more victories than the ACC with far fewer opportunities. With more victories than the ACC, how could the BCS not award the Mountain West an automatic bid?