Matt Wadleigh’s 2022 Week 2 MWC Football Previews

With a few exceptions, this week features a more favorable slate of games for Conference teams

Posted on September 8, 2022


  By Matt Wadleigh, SuperWest Sports

There was plenty of action in the first week of Mountian West football—and plenty of blowouts.

With a few glaring exceptions, Week 2 has a more favorable slate of games for the Conference.

A few games still figure to be lopsided with the MWC team losing (Hawaii vs. Michigan being the most obvious one).

But we should see some lopsided scores on the other side as well, along with what figures to be one of the best games in the country.

Below I take a look at the matchups and give a prediction for each. Check out my Week 2 MWC Power Rankings as well.

Boise State at New Mexico

Friday, September 9
7:00 p.m. MT, CBS Sports Network

Don’t look at records.

Boise State lost a tough game to Oregon State on the road and now travels to New Mexico in search of some much-needed redemption.

The Lobos faced Maine in Week 1, so hosting Boise State next is a totally different perspective.

The Broncos roll New Mexico on the road.

Prediction: Boise State 44, New Mexico 10

UNLV at California

Saturday, September 10
1:00 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Bay Area

UNLV vs. California would be a terrific basketball matchup in many years.

On the football field, these two teams are projected to finish at the bottom of their respective conferences.

Jake Plummer, the Purdue transfer QB, looked decent for the Bears—albeit against UC Davis. UNLV scored a ton of points against Idaho State, which was expected.

So, who knows what happens in this game in Northern California?

Home-field advantage tilts the scales ever so slightly.

Prediction: Cal 27, UNLV 24

Colorado at Air Force

Saturday, September 10
1:30 p.m. MT, CBS

The battle of Colorado is always interesting when it happens.

Unfortunately, the 2022 Colorado Buffaloes football team isn’t going to win very many games.

Karl Dorrell is facing backlash for sticking with Brendon Lewis when JT Shrout clearly outplayed him, and if Lewis gets the start again, things could get ugly in Boulder.

Air Force just ran for nearly 600 yards against Northern Iowa, and the Falcons’ tough triple-option will give the Buffs a ton of headaches.

Prediction: Air Force 38, Colorado 17

Middle Tennessee State at Colorado State

Saturday, September 10
2:00 p.m. MT, Evoca/MWN

There’s not much to say here.

Middle Tennessee State lost to James Madison, 44-7, while the Rams lost to Michigan badly.

But the Wolverines are a top team in the country, and the Rams bounce back in style with a blowout of their own.

Colorado State 38, Middle Tennessee State 10

Northern Colorado at Wyoming

Saturday, September 10
2:00 p.m. MT, MWN

Do you sense a theme?

There will be a ton of Mountain West teams blowing out their opponents in Week 2.

Wyoming should do the same against Northern Colorado, which lost in Week 1 to Houston Baptist.

The Cowboys move to 2-1 with an easy victory in Laramie.

Prediction: Wyoming 34, Northern Colorado 9

Incarnate Word vs. Nevada

Saturday, September 10
2:30 p.m. PT, Nevada Sports Net/MWN

Incarnate Word is still trying to figure out what to do after Cameron Ward left for Washington State.

Unfortunately, Nevada looks like one of the best teams in the MWC early on and should easily move to 3-0, especially with the game being played in Reno.

Prediction: Nevada 41, Incarnate Word 17

Weber State at Utah State

Saturday, September 10
5:00 p.m. MT, MWN

Another in-state battle in this one as Weber State heads to Utah State to face the Aggies.

Utah State just got run off the field against Alabama (which is a common theme for the Crimson Tide).

The good news is that Weber State is not a very good team, so the Aggies should get back on track and build some momentum.

Prediction: Utah State 34, Weber State 13

Idaho State at San Diego State

Saturday, September 10
5:00 p.m. PT, MWN

The Aztecs are fuming after losing their opener in their brand-new stadium.

Fortunately, this one will be a night game with more favorable temperatures and a lesser opponent.

San Diego State gets back on the winning track with a blowout, hopefully.

Prediction: San Diego State 31, Idaho State 7

San Jose State vs. Auburn

Saturday, September 10
6:30 p.m. CT, ESPNU

Why do Mountain West teams keep scheduling heavyweights?

The answer is money, we all know that. Hence, the Spartans will head to Auburn and play in murderous Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Tigers defeated Mercer in Week 1, 42-16, and should steamroll the poor Spartans, who will want to take the money and run after this game.

Prediction: Auburn 55, San Jose State 20

Oregon State vs. Fresno State

Saturday, September 10
7:30 p.m. PT, CBS Sports Network

This is the best game of the weekend in the Mountain West and one of the best in all of college football.

The Beavers defeated Boise State while Fresno State handled Cal Poly. And Jake Haener’s return to the Valley has a ton of fans excited.

Bulldog Stadium should be jam-packed in one of the biggest home games in recent memory for the Dogs, and the Beavers are not an easy task.

This one could go either way easily, and there is a path to an overtime thriller going down at Bulldog Stadium.

Look for Haener to channel his heroics from the UCLA game last season and pull off a massive win against Oregon State.

Prediction: Fresno State 37, Oregon State 31

Hawaii vs. Michigan

Saturday, September 10
8:00 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

Wash, rinse, and repeat: We could use the same first sentence as with San Jose State above.

Hawaii has looked bad against Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky, losing by a combined 85 points.

Michigan just destroyed Colorado State and will likely inflict as much damage—if not more—against Hawaii.

Prediction: Michigan 62, Hawaii 7




—More from Matt Wadleigh—