The Mountain West Conference has established itself as one of the top Group of Five conferences in the FBS. Despite the depth and parody that exists in this league, it has been dominated by two teams more or less as of recent: Boise State and San Diego State. Last year, Fresno State upset the apple cart when it defeated Boise State in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game. In 2018, the Broncos were the favorite to win the MWC, priced as overwhelming chalk laying 2/5 or -250. Boise State by many analysts’ decree was the unanimous selection to represent the Group of Five in a New Year’s Six Bowl. However, it was UCF who went back for the second year in a row to the Cotton Bowl. This year, the Mountain West Conference for many intent and purposes is a wide-open race. Here is our take on the best favorite, contender, and dark horse in terms of value for your dollars in the MWC. BET365 Sportsbook provides the odds below.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE VALUED FAVORITE
SAN DIEGO STATE +500 – Despite finishing 7-6 in 2018 and just 4-4 in conference play, there is a reason why Las Aztecas are priced as one the top three options to hoist the MWC trophy, and that is because of their consistency. Coach Rocky Long enters his ninth year with the Aztecs, and he returns a litany of starters and contributors that empowered SDSU to boast the seventh-ranked rushing defense in America in 2018 (103.8 yards per game). San Diego State also brings back bell-cow Half-Back Juwan Washington who has established his name in a long list of rushers that decorate the Aztecs’ tradition as a national leader in running the rock. In the regular season of 2018, SDSU lost four of its last five games, three of which were settled by a field goal or less. Snake-bitten by in-game variances, San Diego State, could have easily been back in the MWC Championship had the bounces gone their way and will be eager to roll up their sleeves to get back there in 2019. At this price, there is no reason not to have a look at the Aztecs.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE TOP CONTENDER
UTAH STATE +700 – With skipper Matt Wells leaving town to head to Texas Tech and nine offensive starters underdoing a mass exodus from Provo at the end of 2018, many may be quick to jump ship on the Aggies and claim the 2018 edition that finished with 11 wins as a one-trick pony. With a change in coaching regime, there are respectfully many question marks surrounding this team. The biggest perhaps is whether or not Utah State can be a national leader in “scoring offense” again in 2019, as they were second to only Oklahoma in that department collating 47.5 points per game in 2018. There is no reason to out-rule such a possibility. The Aggies return a seasoned signal-caller in Quarterback Jordan Love who put together an impressive 3,567 passing yard campaign along with 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Should Love be in good form in 2019, the Aggies will find themselves back in the mix. At the number offered, there is plenty of equity in taking the plunge.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE TOP DARK HORSE
HAWAII +2000 – The Rainbow Warriors return 17 starters, most notably eight on the offensive side of the ball. Among the key returnees for Hawaii is gunslinger quarterback Colt McDonald who threw for 3,875 passing yards and 36 touchdowns on just ten interceptions. Joining McDonald is the dynamic duo of Senior Wide Receivers JoJo Ward and Cedric Byrd. In 2018, Byrd and Ward combined for 130 grabs, 1,835 reception yards, and 18 touchdowns. The trio spearheads an offense that averaged over 30 points per game in 2018 and was in the top-ten in passing yards per game (310.3 yards per contest). The 2018 edition of the Rainbow Warriors won eight games, but it could very well take a step forward in 2019 with experienced upper-classmen building upon a successful 2018 campaign after going 3-9 in 2017. At a tag of 20:1, Hawaii is for sure the top dark horse on the Mountain West Conference board as it hosts two of the three top favorites in the conference (Fresno State and San Diego State) in Honolulu, which provides a distinct edge to Hawaii. The Alohas also bode a manageable road schedule in MWC play as they are at Nevada, New Mexico, and UNLV. The only “true road game” that will make the Warriors shudder is a mid-October game at Boise State. Outside of that date, the negotiable docket combined with the potential take creates a value play on an explosive Hawaii offense that could take the MWC by storm.
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE FUTURE ODDS AT BOVADA SPORTSBOOK .
- Boise State +100
- Fresno State +400
- San Diego State +500
- Utah State +700
- Air Force +1200
- Nevada +1800
- Hawaii +2000
- Wyoming +2800
- New Mexico +6600
- Colorado State +8000
- UNLV +10000
- San Jose State +10000
TIP: Many paid picks sites claim that their handicappers have extraordinary winning percentages, but most of them are lucky to even break even on any given season. At SBS that’s not the case. Lead handicapper Rich Crew hits 58% – 65% most seasons (10 of L12 in CFB and 8 straight in NFL) and the rest of the gang are no slouches either. Get our college football picks free each week!
