2018 Mountain West Season Football Preview
Looking for Mountain West Conference 2018 predictions? Last year’s Mountain West Championship was a rematch of the 2014 title game that saw then-No. 22 Boise State take down unranked Fresno State. It was also the first time since 2015 that San Diego State didn’t make an appearance.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
The title game in 2017 came down to the wire, with No. 25 Fresno State falling to the Broncos by a field-goal, 17-14.
Boise State enters 2018 as the favorites to take home the title again.
Mountain West Conference 2018 Odds: Boise State Broncos (-200)
Not only are the Broncos favorites to take home a MWC title in 2018, they’re heavy favorites. They enter the year at -200, with the No. 2 team(s) in the conference (Fresno State Bulldogs and San Diego State are tied) at +700.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
When it comes to national title odds, the Broncos sit at +30000, tied with both Kansas State and Iowa—not to mention barely behind the Pac-12’s Arizona Wildcats (+25000).
But as far as the Mountain West is concerned, the Broncos have one of the most well-rounded, overall talented squads. Boise State found a way to right the ship a year ago after a 2-2 start, and they closed out the year with plenty of momentum by defeating an Oregon Ducks team that was supposed revitalized after making a player-approved hire to replace the shocking departure of first-year head coach Willie Taggart.
Mountain West Conference 2018 Odds: Fresno State Bulldogs (+700)
When looking at the Mountain West, there’s a debate taking place between Fresno State and San Diego State as to which squad will take the West Division. Let’s start by looking at the Bull Dogs.
[dfads params=’groups=259&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Fresno State took an Oct. 21 win over the Aztecs in 2017, which proved to be huge in terms of taking the division title a month later. The bigger story, however, was their overall improvement from 2016.
In just a year—a year under new head coach Jeff Tedford—Fresno State improved from a 1-11 program whose only victory came in Week 2, to a team with double-digit wins. Their Hawai’i Bowl victory over Houston (33-27) gave them their 10th win and a 10-4 overall record on the year.
Mountain West Conference 2018 Odds: San Diego State Aztecs (+700)
Fresno State should have an even better year in 2018 than in 2017, which should make San Diego State nervous. Not only is QB Marcus McMariyon entering his senior season, but the defense should take another step forward.
All that said, San Diego State has plenty going for it.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The Aztecs went 10-3 last season with a 6-2 record in conference. Their only two losses? Boise State and Fresno State.
The bad news for San Diego State is that it needs to replace one of the nation’s top rushers in Rashaad Penny—now with the Seattle Seahawks. The good news is that his replacement is already set and should do some serious damage n the backfield. Junior Juwan Washington should make sure this offense stays right on track.
Note that the defense, while not giving us any reason to believe there’s massive improvement coming, more than held its own a year ago. In 2017, the Aztecs had the country’s 11th-best defensive unit.
Mountain West Conference 2018 Odds
- Boise State Broncos -200
- Fresno State Bulldogs +700
- San Diego State Aztecs +700
- Utah State Aggies +1400
- Wyoming Cowboys +1400
- Nevada Wolf Pack +2000
- UNLV Rebels +2000
- Colorado State Rams +2500
- Air Force Falcons +2500
- New Mexico Lobos +5000
- Hawaii Rainbow Warriors +10000
- San Jose State Spartans +10000
Mountain West Conference: 2018 Prediction
Although the Aztecs have a lot going for them and will keep things close the it comes to their race to the top against Fresno State, we’re picking the Bulldogs to take the division. Their improvement under Tedford obviously is going to cap out at some point, but don’t count on that being this season.
As far as the conference title goes, it has to be Boise State. Expect a Boise State-Freso State rematch coming i the title game, and expect similar results.
What do you think about our Mountain West Conference 2018 Predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
The 2018 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.
[dfads params=’groups=218&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
