Bern’s-Eye View: Mountain West Best Bets Week 7

By Taylor Bern

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 | 1:50 p.m.

This is the first week to feature no nonconference matchups, so it’s time to stop focusing on how the Mountain West compares to other leagues (spoiler alert: poorly) and start figuring out how this league race is going to shake out.

UNLV kicks off at home in one of two Mountain West games tonight, and the Rebels are the biggest underdog of the week, getting 10 points at home. The games appearing in this space are more evenly matched, at least on paper, and they’ll let us see who takes over the league’s driver’s seat, for a week anyway.

On to the picks:

Note: UNLV picks will appear in the live blog on the day of games.

FRIDAY

San Diego State (minus-4) at New Mexico

6:30 p.m., ESPNU

• I wanted to go with all underdogs this week, but confusion at quarterback and a workhorse running back on the shelf are too big of concerns to go with the home team tonight. New Mexico coach Bob Davie said he’s going back to junior Cole Gautsche, who, because of injuries and other factors, has been outplayed this year by freshman Lamar Jordan. Both will play, he said, but I don’t like trying to work in Jordan, plus the Lobos expect to be without senior running back Crusoe Gongbay — an instant inductee into the Name Hall of Fame — for the remainder of the season.

Pick: San Diego State — Win

SATURDAY

Air Force (plus-7 ½) at Utah State

7:15 p.m., ESPNU

• While Utah State’s big victory last week against then-No. 18 BYU was due largely to an injury — Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill is out for the year — Air Force big victory two weeks ago was due to the Falcons dominating a Boise State team that, right or wrong, is still viewed as the league’s tent pole. Air Force then followed it up with a win against Navy, and with the Falcons’ defense playing the way it is right now, I’d take them plus more than a touchdown against every other team in the league.

Pick: Air Force — Loss

Colorado State (minus-2 ½) at UNR

7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

• Colorado State is the closest thing to the class of this league, yet it’s very possible the Rams could start 0-2 in Mountain West play. UNR is coming off a tough 51-46 loss to Boise State while the Rams just went on the road and beat Boston College. I’d prefer the Rams run away with this and add a little clarity at the top, but I don’t think that will happen.

Pick: UNR — Loss

Wyoming (plus-6) at Hawaii

8 p.m., Root Sports/Mountain West Network

• Going over to the Big Island is always a tricky trip, especially for a first-year coach like Wyoming’s Craig Bohl. However, Hawaii has some major concerns this week and sadly they’re not limited to the field. Hawaii coach Norm Chow’s wife suffered a brain aneurysm last week in Los Angeles. She underwent two procedures and is stable, but that will make it difficult to focus on this game, which is also expected to feature a change at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors.

Pick: Wyoming — Loss

Last week: 3-4

Season: 28-20

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.