Mountain West Week 10 Preview

Week 10 of the college football season brings the most excitement yet. The Mountain West features several crucial contests this weekend. What will happen?

TCU at Utah
#3 TCU (9-0, 5-0) squares off against #5 Utah (8-0, 5-0) in the Mountain West Conference game of the week. The winner of this game ends up with a BCS berth. The loser will end up in the Las Vegas Bowl.

This matchup might be the best game in conference history. Both teams enter the game ranked in the Top 10 in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Utah's underrated defense will make the difference in this game. After turning in its worst performance of the season last week, the Utes will stuff the run, and force TCU QB Andy Dalton to beat them. While Dalton is the best QB in the Mountain West, he will not make enough plays, to defeat Utah's wide-open offense. The Utes win at home, and earn a much- deserved apology from ESPN Radio!

Air Force at Army
While the TCU - Utah will get the most publicity, the Air Force - Army game means even more to these academies. Air Force (5-4, 3-3) can break Navy's eight-year stranglehold on the Commander-in-Chief trophy with a win. Army (5-3) needs to defeat the Falcons, and then defeat Navy on December 11th.

This matchup features two triple-option attacks. While both teams rank in the Top 10 nationally in rushing, the team that passes the ball with the greatest success will win the game. While Air Force has the better secondary, Army has a much better pass rush, recording 20 sacks in 8 games. The Falcons win a tight game on the road, with QB Tim Jefferson making the difference.

UNLV at BYU
The UNLV - BYU contest features two teams going in opposite directions. UNLV (1-7. 1-3) has struggled all season, with its only win coming against winless New Mexico. After starting out 1-4, BYU (3-5, 2-2) has won 2 of its last 3, and can qualify for a bowl with a strong finish to the season.

Both offenses have scored points when they ran the ball successfully. BYU will establish the ground game early, controlling the clock, and keep the Rebel defense off the field. The Rebel offense will not fare well against an improving Cougar defense. BYU wins this game, and keeps its bowl hopes alive.

Colorado State at San Diego State
Colorado State plays at San Diego State this week in an important game for both teams. With a win, CSU (3-6, 2-3) will remain bowl eligible. The Aztecs (6-2, 3-1) still control their own destiny in conference play, and need to win out to take the conference crown.

This game will be a shootout. QB's Pete Bell and Ryan Lindley will have big games against suspect secondaries. The Aztecs will make more plays on defense, and keep pace with the Utah - TCU winner in the Mountain West race.

Wyoming at New Mexico
Wyoming travels to New Mexico to round out the conference schedule. A Wyoming (2-7, 0-5) win offers a chance to escape the Mountain West cellar. New Mexico (0-8, 0-4) comes into the game still seeking its first win of the season.

While New Mexico continues to improve each week, they do not have the talent to beat Wyoming. Cowboy QB Austyn Carta-Samuels has a big day, as Wyoming records its 3rd win of the season.