Mountain West notes: Reno writers believe in Pack

AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST

Confidence is high in Reno that UNR will take back the Fremont Cannon from UNLV. Quarterback Cody Fajardo stated as much in a tweet last month, and two Reno Gazette-Journal reporters predict a Wolf Pack victory when they play UNLV on Thanksgiving weekend. Chris Murray forecast a 34-24 UNR victory, and Dan Hinxman called it 44-27 for the Wolf Pack. ... Senior Kale Pearson was named Air Force’s starting quarterback. He played in just two games last season, but beat out sophomore Nate Romine and junior Karson Roberts, who received significantly more playing time. ... Fresno State will not announce its starting quarterback until game time Saturday at Southern California. Junior Brian Burrell and senior Brandon Connette, a Duke transfer, both will play, the Fresno (Calif.) Bee reported. ... Senior Blake Jurich won the starting QB job at San Jose State over junior Joe Gray.

POWER RANKINGS

(Records are from last season.)

1. Boise State (8-5, 6-2 MW). Next game: vs. No. 18 Mississippi in Atlanta, Thursday. First meeting. Line: Ole Miss -10.

2. Utah State (9-5, 7-1). Next game: at Tennessee, Sunday. First meeting. Line: Tennessee -6.

3. Fresno State (11-2, 7-1). Next game: at No. 15 USC, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 45-20 in 2013. Line: USC -21.

4. San Diego State (8-5, 6-2). Next game: vs. Northern Arizona, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 16-8 in 1966. Line: N/A.

5. Colorado State (8-6, 5-3). Next game: vs. Colorado in Denver, Friday. Last meeting: Lost 41-27 in 2013. Line: Colorado -3.

6. UNLV (7-6, 5-3). Next game: at Arizona, Friday. Last meeting: Lost 58-13 in 2013. Line: Arizona -24.

7. UNR (4-8, 3-5). Next game: vs. Southern Utah, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 24-23 in 2003. Line: N/A.

8. San Jose State (6-6, 5-3). Next game: vs. North Dakota, Thursday. First meeting. Line: N/A.

9. Wyoming (5-7, 3-5). Next game: vs. Montana, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 28-13 in 1997. Line: N/A.

10. New Mexico (3-9, 1-7). Next game: vs. Texas-El Paso, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 42-35 in overtime in 2013. Line: New Mexico -7½.

11. Air Force (2-10, 0-8). Next game: vs. Nicholls State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 72-0 in 2009. Line: N/A.

12. Hawaii (1-11, 0-8). Next game: vs. No. 25 Washington, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 40-32 in 2011. Line: Washington -16½.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Boise State vs. No. 18 Mississippi. The pressure is on first-year Broncos coach Bryan Harsin, who has the difficult task of succeeding Chris Petersen, who shined in these types of games. Boise State at least needs to be competitive to show last season’s 8-5 record was an aberration and not an indication the program is on a slide.

MARK ANDERSON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL