The Mountain West has 49 non-conference games on the collective schedule this fall. We’re ranking every single one, starting at the bottom.
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Every game is still a treasure… right?
If you’re like us, you’re already obsessing about the 2022 college football season.
We’re within 100 days of Week 0 at this point, which means that non-conference action is just over the horizon. These games? They may not be the most interesting tilts on Mountain West football’s overall docket but there are still some glimmers of intrigue that make them worth watching.
49. Duquesne Dukes vs. Hawaii Warriors
Why the game might be a drag: Duquesne has to replace four first-team all-Northeast Conference players, including their top pass catcher and offensive lineman, which could make it difficult to match Hawaii on the scoreboard if Timmy Chang’s attack comes out swinging.
Why the game might be more interesting than you think: The Dukes were very quietly a pretty solid FCS team in 2021, going so far as to knock off the Ohio Bobcats en route to a 7-3 campaign. If the Warriors struggle to put their offense together, Duquesne could put together an unexpected upset bid.
One player worth tuning in for: Duquesne RB Billy Lucas
48. Maine Black Bears vs. New Mexico Lobos
Why the game might be a drag: The Black Bears were merely okay in 2021, finishing 6-5 and slightly below the FCS average in both total offense and total defense. If the Lobos haven’t yet resolved last season’s quarterback woes, it could end up being a low-scoring slog.
Why the game might be more interesting than you think: Maine has a stout running game and offensive line, including second-team all-CAA pick Michael Gerace, that should provide a decent test for Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defense.
One player worth tuning in for: Maine QB Derek Robertson
47. Idaho State Bengals vs. UNLV Rebels
Why the game might be a drag: We don’t know how much better the Rebels will actually be after suffering some hard luck…