New Mexico holds the top spot in the Mountain West power rankings, remaining undefeated in conference play following a 21-16 victory over North Dakota State. While the Lobos’ offense has struggled recently, producing only 35 points over their last two contests, their defense remains strong, secured by a decisive 56-yard pick-six from Austin Brawley in the fourth quarter of their latest win, Nevada Sports Net reported.
For New Mexico, the stakes have shifted from mere conference standing to a potential College Football Playoff berth, though that dream hinges on whether quarterback Toa Fa’avae can stabilize. Fa’avae has struggled significantly, managing just 151 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions across the last two games.
Wyoming climbs via the résumé
Wyoming has surged to third place after doubling up Air Force in a 28-14 home victory. The Cowboys entered that game as 5.5-point underdogs, but they won behind a dominant performance from quarterback Tyler Hughes. Hughes has been the engine of the Wyoming offense, accounting for seven touchdowns and rushing for 421 yards over the last three games.
The jump to third is more about the “résumé” than a consensus view of team quality. Wyoming and Air Force have traded wins in each of their last six meetings dating back to 2021, but the scale of this particular victory pushed the Cowboys ahead. Air Force, now fourth, suffered from an offensive collapse after losing quarterback Liam Szarka for the year. The Falcons’ identity—running the ball 95 percent of the time in their first two games post-Szarka—vanished in the loss to Wyoming, where they were forced to throw 15 passes and turned the ball over with three costly fumbles.
The transitive property traps UNLV
UNLV finds itself in fifth place despite coming off a bye week. Their slide is a result of the “transitive property” of sports rankings: Air Force beat UNLV, and Wyoming beat Air Force, pushing both teams ahead of the Rebels. However, UNLV remains in a strong position to reach the Mountain West title game for the fourth straight season.
The path forward for the Rebels is relatively clear, starting with a home game against a winless Northern Illinois squad. To secure their spot in the championship, UNLV simply needs to win out over their final five games.
| Team | Record | MW Record | Last Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 6-1 | 3-0 | W 21-16 vs NDSU |
| North Dakota State | 6-2 | 3-2 | L 16-21 vs UNM |
| Wyoming | 5-3 | 4-1 | W 28-14 vs Air Force |
| Air Force | 5-2 | 3-2 | L 14-28 vs Wyoming |
| UNLV | 4-3 | 2-1 | Bye |
Quarterback volatility in the middle pack
Nevada moves up to sixth after a 28-13 win over San Jose State, a victory achieved with third-string quarterback Luke Duncan under center. Duncan showed resilience, recovering from a poor first start against Montana State to deliver a two-touchdown, turnover-free performance.
Contrast that with the chaos at San Jose State. In their loss to Nevada, the team used Daniel Rolovich and Robert McDaniel for 11 series, producing a meager 76 yards and three points. When Luke Weaver was finally inserted in the fourth quarter, the offense suddenly found life, gaining 128 yards and scoring 10 points in just three series.
The struggle for a first win
At the bottom of the conference, the disparity is stark. Hawaii snapped a four-game losing streak with a 56-21 blowout of Northern Illinois, a game where quarterback Micah Alejado threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns. It was a massive offensive explosion for a team that had scored only 48 points combined over their previous four games.
For UTEP and Northern Illinois, the season has become a search for any available momentum. UTEP sits at 1-6, having been outscored by 206 points in losses to FBS schools—an average deficit of 34.3 points per game. Their best hope for a win may be their November 7 home game against Hawaii.
Northern Illinois remains winless at 0-7. With an interim head coach currently managing the team, the university has intensified its search for a permanent replacement. One name floating in the conversation is former NIU quarterback and Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch. However, Lynch has been a high school coach since 2018, making his transition back to the collegiate level a risky prospect for a program in desperate need of stability.
A remaining question for the Mountain West is whether New Mexico’s defense can continue to mask an offense that has produced only 35 points in its last two games.
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