MWC Predictions, Week Five

TCU at Colorado State
CSU is coming off their first win of the season, coming from behind to beat Idaho.  TCU is coming off a solid, but not spectacular, win over cross-town rival SMU.  CSU is still bad.  TCU is still great.  CSU averages 14 points per game, including the 35 points from last week.  I think they will be lucky to get to double digits.  TCU owns this one, 45-6.

Navy at Air Force
Navy owns Air Force.  I agree wholeheartedly with everybody that Air Force is the better team this season.  But there is a psychological edge to Navy.  There is something to beating a team repeatedly.  When the chips are down, it's close in the 4th quarter, doubt starts to creep in.  Air Force has to put them away early.  If Navy thinks they have a chance, if Air Force thinks Navy has a chance, it might all come unraveled.  The better football team is Air Force, but the better team doesn't always play better ON THE FIELD.  Air Force's Defense is what wins this game for them, not their offense.  Air Force struggled on O last week, and playing Navy won't help that too much: what they lack in size and speed, they make up for in hustle and determination.  One thing I say for all of the academies: 11 guys hit 11 guys on every play.  Air Force 24, Navy 13.  If the Falcons pour it on early, it could get even uglier, like upper 30's.

UTEP at New Mexico
Who cares?  I'll just pick a score: UTEP 31, New Mexico 17.  Unless Locksley is a good coach...

Wyoming at Toledo
Another who cares one.  I'll actually give Wyoming the edge.  They blew a chance to beat Air Force last weekend and will be hungry this weekend.  Toledo played great last week in their win at Purdue, I think they come out sloppy and overconfident.  Wyoming 24, Toledo 21.

Nevada at UNLV
Anything can happen in a rivalry game.  UNLV is coming off a big win (over arguably the worst team in FBS), in a game where they shut down the opponent's offense.  However, the past two years, Kaepernick has had his best game of the season against UNLV.  If that trend continues, the Rebels are in trouble.  Maybe that will be added motivation for the Runnin' Rebels.  Nevada has the added pressure of playing as a ranked team.  I'm going to go with an upset here, why not?  UNLV 31, Nevada 30.