Prior to the season I said that the Mountain West Conference was arguably the best non-BCS conference. They took that one further, now I would consider them one of the best conferences, period. I know they are getting a lot of hype around the country right now, and it's about time. Let's look at it for a brief second, objectively. They are a top heavy conference, you know, kind of like the Pac 10 or Big 10. They do have some weak teams, kind of like having Minnesota, Washington State, Syracuse, Duke in your conference. They are looking more equal to a BCS conference with each comparison. Now I know they are nowhere near the SEC or the Big 12, but those two conferences have 10 of the best 15 teams year in and year out. Let's compare the top 4 in the Mountain West with the top 4 in the non-Big 12/SEC BCS conferences.
BYU vs. USC (Big L), Wisconsin (toss up), Clemson (leaning Clemson), South Florida (home team takes it)
Utah vs. Oregon (lot of points scored), Ohio State (Utah), Virginia Tech (Best Beamer-balling team wins), West Virginia (defense wins: Mountaineers need not apply)
TCU vs. Arizona State? (are they STILL ranked?), Penn State (lot of injuries in this one), Wake Forest (leaning Deacons), UConn (sad day for the Big East, UConn is your third best team)
Air Force vs. California? (been there, hung with that), Illinois (the Juice is loose), Georgia Tech (throw the ball much?), Pitt?/Rutgers? (these are BCS teams? Must have low standards these days)
BYU-well, there are about 5 programs in the country that no one really competes with and USC is one of them. BYU's run defense has been quite stout against the run, minus when they play a mobile QB (which the Badgers do not have), so they could hang against Wisconsin, if Fresno held them to 13 without ANY offense, BYU could hold them under 21 and even manage to score a few points in the process. Clemson's speed might pose a problem for BYU, but with all that speed, and Citadel on the schedule, they are averaging less than 30 points a game. With South Florida, the home team would win (South Florida needed OT to beat UCF on the road, BYU barely escaped needing OT to beat Washington).
Utah-against Oregon, Pac 10 officials doing the game? No, then I give Utah a 50-50 chance. Last year Utah killed UCLA, who destroyed Oregon. Ohio State, Utah has way too much speed for them! Also, considering Utah runs the same offense as Illinois, but with a better QB, I'd say their chances are good. Virginia Tech, didn't they only score 4 times against Furman? Utah could probably shut them out with their defense. West Virginia and Utah: offense, Pat White a better runner, Brian Johnson a better passer (by far), defense, WVU, what defense? Utah, smack you in the mouth and steal your lunch money when the ref isn't looking.
TCU-since TCU has outscored UNLV 111 to 23 the past 3 years, Arizona State should be no problem, assuming Arizona State proves it's the 3rd best team in the Pac 10. Penn State, first one to 6 wins. There would be some helmets flying in that hard-hitting affair. Wake Forest would be an interesting game, slight edge to the Demon Deacons because of their unorthodox offense. Then again, TCU has an unorthodox defense. UConn, wouldn't stand a chance against a team from Texas, handle Baylor this week and we can talk, yes, I said Baylor, and I don't mean squeak out a victory. HANDLE Baylor.
Air Force-California (assuming they establish themselves as 4th in the Pac 10) and Air Force played in a bowl game last year. Air Force had a lead until their 4-year starting QB got injured. They ended up losing by 7. Maybe not a W, but they can definitely hang. Illinois, which Illinois shows up? The one that beat Ohio State last year in Columbus, or the one that barely held on at home to beat Louisiana-Lafayette last week? Georgia Tech, now that would be interesting. It could be the first game since Knute Rockne without a completed pass. Former Navy coach against current service academy. Against whoever happens to play like the 4th-place Big East team, I'd put my money on the disciplined defense and methodical offense against Pitt's schizophrenia and Rutger's complete lack of offense.
I don't see many blowouts, if any (excluding USC), in those games. I would pay money to see any of those games. While Air Force or TCU may not have the flash of some of their opponents, they are consistent, disciplined, and tough. Utah may not have the depth as the teams they match up against, talent-wise, the 1s and 2s could play or outplay their opponents. BYU has the size, toughness, and football IQ to stay with their opponents' offenses and there isn't a team, besides USC, that has a defense versatile enough to stop BYU's offense for 4 quarters.
I'd take the top 4 of the Mountain West, as a whole, against the top 4 of BCS conferences not named the Big 12 or SEC. Beyond that, I'd give SDSU/UNLV a fair shake against teams like Washington State, Minnesota, Syracuse, Duke, etc. Next up: The Mo Knows Mid-Major Ten
My first reaction is that you are giving the MWC a little too much credit, but they do have 3 really solid teams at the top, and few dangerous teams in the bottom half (just ask ASU). The three top teams would compete well in the conferences you mentioned, but the rest would still struggle I would think. The gap is closing. Sooner or later, the BCS will have to adapt...but they won't.
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