MW football going from bad to worse

The days of the Mountain West being just a step behind the power conferences are over, and they’re not coming back.

If anyone wanted a sense of just how much the conference has fallen, the first weekend’s results provided clarity.

Boise State lost 35-13 to Mississippi, Fresno State 52-13 to Southern California, New Mexico 31-24 to Texas-El Paso, UNLV 58-13 to Arizona, and Utah State 38-7 to Tennessee. And there were some unimpressive victories, such as UNR’s 28-19 win over Southern Utah.

That’s a far cry from the days when Mountain West schools could at least compete at a high level, but with the power grab taking place by the big five conferences, the MW and the four other little sisters are being left behind.

“To the extent that there was ever any parity in college football between the 65 power conference schools and everybody else, it is now effectively over,” USA Today college football writer Dan Wolken wrote. “In truth, it has been for the last few years.”

So the Mountain West is left with a TV deal that would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad and wondering how in the world its members will keep up when the major conferences begin providing additional financial aid to athletes that the UNLVs and even Boise States can’t afford to pay.

Look no further regarding the league’s troubles, in fact, than at Boise State. The fans there sense what’s ahead, with less than 28,000 tickets out for Saturday’s home opener against Colorado State, according to the Idaho Statesman. Boise State didn’t draw a crowd that small all last season.

The Broncos have sold just more than 21,000 season tickets, a 6 percent drop last season. And last season, the total was down 7 percent from the year before.

These are rough times indeed.

AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WEST

Colorado State apparently won’t miss running back Kapri Bibbs, who rushed for 1,741 yards and 31 touchdowns last season before heading to the NFL. Dee Hart and Treyous Jarrells each topped the 100-yard mark against Colorado. But even though the Rams beat Colorado in Denver, Colorado State coach Jim McElwain was far from happy when Denver mayor Michael Hancock called him by the opposing coach’s last named when handing him the trophy. “Somebody pointed that out, that nobody thinks much of us, even though how many alums do we have in the Denver area?” McElwain said at his Monday news conference. “Like the most of any university there is? And yet the mayor doesn’t even know the head ball coach’s name. I guess that really shows where we are and where I am as a program.” Hancock reportedly apologized for the gaffe. … New Mexico is expected to be without quarterback Cole Gautsche (hamstring) and wide receiver/kick returner Carlos Wiggins (thigh) against Arizona State, according to the Albuquerque (N.M). Journal. … Boise State running back Jay Ajayi played in 82 of his team’s 85 offensive snaps against Mississippi. He also supplied 179 of the Broncos’ 399 yards, and scored their only touchdown. … San Diego State plays North Carolina for the first time since losing to the Tar Heels 20-13 in the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl. Fresno State meets Utah for the first time since falling to the Utes 17-16 in the 1999 Las Vegas Bowl.

POWER RANKINGS

1. San Diego State (1-0, 0-0 MW). Last game: Defeated Northern Arizona 38-7. Next game: at North Carolina, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 20-13 in 1998. Line: North Carolina -15.

2. Boise State (0-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Mississippi 35-13. Next game: vs. Colorado State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 42-30 in 2013. Line: Boise State -11.

3. Colorado State (1-0, 0-0). Last game: Defeated Colorado 31-17. Next game: at Boise State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 42-30 in 2013. Line: Boise State -11.

4. Utah State (0-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Tennessee 38-7. Next game: vs. Idaho State, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 38-17 in 2010. Line: N/A.

5. Fresno State (0-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Southern California 52-13. Next game: at Utah, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 17-16 in 1999. Line: Utah -10½.

6. San Jose State (1-0, 0-0). Last game: Defeated North Dakota 42-10. Next game: at Auburn, Saturday. First meeting. Line: Auburn -31.

7. Air Force (1-0, 0-0). Last game: Defeated Nicholls State 44-16. Next game: at Wyoming, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 56-23 in 2013. Line: Air Force -1½.

8. Wyoming (1-0, 0-0). Last game: Defeated Montana 17-12. Next game: vs. Air Force, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 56-23 in 2013. Line: Air Force -1½.

9. UNR (1-0, 0-0). Last game: Defeated Southern Utah 28-19. Next game: vs. Washington State, Friday. Last meeting: Lost 55-21 in 2005. Line: Washington State -3½.

10. UNLV (0-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Arizona 58-13. Next game: vs. Northern Colorado, Saturday. Last meeting: Won 35-31 in 1979. Line: N/A.

11. Hawaii (0-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Washington 17-16. Next game: vs. Oregon State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 33-14 in 2013. Line: Oregon State -11½.

12. New Mexico (0-1, 0-0). Last game: Lost to Texas-El Paso 31-24. Next game: vs. Arizona State, Saturday. Last meeting: Lost 45-24 in 1977. Line: Arizona State -25.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Colorado State at Boise State. The Broncos need a bounce-back victory after the loss to Mississippi, but Colorado State is a tough opponent to get one against. This game will determine whether Boise State will be competitive in the Mountain Division, or whether its struggles will continue.

MARK ANDERSON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL