Top 10 Mountain West Football Games, Divisional Period

With the Mountain West altering, I believed it could be enjoyable to return and spotlight the most effective gamers, video games, and groups because the final part of convention realignment 13 years in the past. Previously, I’ve coated Top 10 soccer gamers, Top 10 basketball gamers, Top 10 Football Teams, and Top 10 Basketball Teams. Today’s record covers the Top 10 Football Games

Plenty of the information I reference comes from the aptly named collegefootballdata.com. It’s an ideal useful resource if you understand how to navigate across the website. I spent a while trying round to see what they’ve, and I observed they’d an “Excitement Index” for every recreation. When I noticed that, I believed it may be attention-grabbing to make use of that to gauge the highest 10 Mountain West video games since 2013, when the convention final went by realignment. The various was to observe all 1,200+ video games the convention has performed since then, which I might like to do, however sadly I don’t have the time for that.

The “Excitement Index” is predicated on massive swings in win chance throughout the recreation, that means it scores excessive for video games that had been upsets, skilled numerous lead adjustments, or had a wild ending. When I first obtained the information, a number of the upper rated video games had been towards FCS groups. They had been solely rated excessive as a result of the Mountain West staff struggled towards them, inflicting the win chance to drastically change (i.e. began with a 99% probability of successful that dropped to 60%) However, that doesn’t robotically imply these video games are “exciting.” In truth, followers would in all probability look again with blended emotions on these video games, even when their staff received.

So, as I’ve finished with all the things else on this collection, I adjusted the numbers:

Two closing notes: the “Excitement Index” solely goes again to 2014, so video games from the 2013 season received’t be featured right here, however be at liberty to incorporate any of these within the feedback (like Fresno’s 52-50 shootout towards Rutgers). I additionally solely included video games the place a Mountain West staff received; it didn’t really feel proper to spotlight a loss by one of many groups we cowl. I’ll embrace the unique pleasure index, in addition to my adjusted rating. For reference, the very best Excitement Index rating given to a recreation with a Mountain West staff was 11, and my adjusted rating is on a scale of 0 – 1.5. I’ll additionally embrace highlights for every recreation, although I apologize upfront that some are extra intensive than others.

As with all the things, the information doesn’t inform the total story, so be at liberty within the feedback to say a recreation that wasn’t featured right here or one that ought to have been rated greater. Also, be mindful these are probably the most thrilling wins, not essentially crucial or impactful. You are welcome to say these within the feedback as properly.

10. Hawai’i vs Cal, 35-31 (2025 Hawai’i Bowl)

Excitement Index: 7.6, Adjusted rating: 0.880

The first recreation got here from simply this previous Christmas Eve. Hawai’i used to be ending with their first successful report in six years and first bowl recreation in 5 years. They had been matched up towards Cal, and who began sturdy by taking a 21-0 lead. Hawai’i finally caught up, occurring a 21-0 run of their very own, tying the sport early within the fourth quarter.

On the ultimate drive of the sport, quarterback Micah Alejado executed a stable 2 minute drill, getting them to the 22 yard line. But then he took a success on a display screen play, that means backup Luke Weaver needed to step in with 15 seconds left on the clock. The very subsequent play he threw a landing to receiver Nick Cenacle to take the lead with 10 seconds left, and the protection stopped Cal to safe the win. Receiver Pofele Ashlock was named MVP after catching 14 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, although Alejado had a stable recreation himself. He went 32-46 for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and nil turnovers. Overall they ended sturdy, scoring 22 of their 35 factors within the closing quarter.

It was the biggest comeback in Hawai’i Bowl historical past, and top-of-the-line ever for the college.

9. San Diego State vs Air power, 27-24 (2015 Conference Championship Game)

Excitement Index: 7, Adjusted Score: 0.904

This was a textbook back-and-forth recreation, the place all 9 scores both gave a staff the lead or tied the sport, and nobody ever held the lead for greater than seven minutes. Fans that love to observe groups air it out would in all probability discover this recreation boring, as each groups mixed for 25 go makes an attempt. But San Diego State’s Christian Chapman, making his first profession begin, threw for 203 yards on simply 9 completions (22.6 yards per reception).

The recreation principally was finished on the bottom, a lot to the pleasure of the ghost of Vince Lombardi, with the 2 groups combining to run it 92 occasions for 538 yards. Air Force’s Jacobi Owens had probably the most with 156, and fullback Timothy McVey scored all three touchdowns for the Falcons. San Diego State relied on a committee, with 5 gamers getting a minimum of 30 speeding yards, together with 90 from Donnel Pumphrey.

Air Force obtained the ball with 30 seconds left on their very own 22 yard line, down 27-24. They managed to get to midfield with 5 seconds left, however couldn’t full the Hail Mary, giving San Diego State their first outright convention title since 1986. Chapman was named offensive MVP, whereas security Na’im McGee was defensive MVP after main the staff with 10 tackles.

8. Boise State vs North Texas, 35-32 (2022 Frisco Bowl)

Excitement Index: 7.7, Adjusted Score: 0.912

Boise got here into this recreation hoping to get their first bowl win since 2017. The first and second halves of this recreation had been wildly completely different. The first was primarily defensive, with North Texas getting into halftime on a 10-6 lead and each groups combining for less than 325 yards. Then the second half noticed each offenses get going, combining for 565 yards and 51 factors. Boise’s quarterback Taylen Green accounted for 3 touchdowns himself within the third quarter, with two speeding and one passing.

This recreation may simply be summed up as operating again Ashton Jeanty’s popping out celebration. He completed with 178 speeding yards on 28 makes an attempt, each season-highs for him. His landing early within the fourth quarter gave Boise an 11-point lead, the largest for both staff of the evening. But, a couple of minutes later, North Texas operating again Ikaika Ragsdale ran for a landing, and the next two-point conversion shrunk the result in simply three factors with eight minutes left within the recreation. Boise’s offense was just about finished after that, solely getting 39 whole yards on their subsequent two drives. However, their protection stepped up in the long run, giving up precisely 0 yards the following two drives to safe the 35-32 win for the Broncos.

7. UNLV vs Cal, 24-13 (2024 LA Bowl)

Excitement Index: 7.1, Adjusted Score: 0.914

This recreation was shut for probably the most half and had fairly excessive stakes for UNLV. They hadn’t received a bowl recreation in 24 years, and head coach Barry Odom, who deserves credit score for turning across the program, had already instructed the staff this recreation could be his final with them earlier than leaving for Purdue.

It’s not typically you’ll be able to say a recreation was received with particular groups, however that is a kind of. In the second quarter on their very own 39 yard line, UNLV was going through fourth and 7. They went with the “Last game of the season, might as well try” mentality and ran top-of-the-line fake-punts you’ll see. Punter Marshall Nichols made two-handed go to nook Cameron Oliver, who ran it 52 yards all the way down to the 9 yard line. UNLV scored on the following play with a go to receiver Jacob De Jesus to present them a 14-10 lead.

The different key particular groups play got here within the fourth quarter. UNLV had a 21-13 lead and De Jesus managed to return a punt 38 yards to Cal’s 26 yard line, that means UNLV simply needed to not flip the ball over and let Caden Chittenden kick a area aim to safe the win. Chittenden was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza award and led the convention with 26 area objectives, so in fact he made the kick to ice the sport, successful 24-13.

6. Colorado State vs Utah State, 16-13 (2014 Regular Season)

Excitement Index: 10, Adjusted Score: 0.915

This is the lone recreation on this record to occur throughout the common season and in addition tied for the lowest-scoring. At face worth, I wasn’t positive why this recreation rated so extremely on the Excitement Index. I don’t keep in mind watching it and 16-13 video games normally are boring. However, collegefootballdata solely gave 14 video games since 2014 an Excitement Index score of 10 or higher and this was one in every of them.

Colorado State had an ideal offense that yr, ending thirty third in factors scored that season. But the Aggies had been doing an excellent job holding them in examine, solely permitting 177 yards by the primary three quarters, 75 of which got here on the opening drive. Even although Utah State solely scored 13 factors within the recreation, Colorado State’s offense had struggled all recreation and didn’t appear like they might have the ability to rating sufficient. But their final ten minutes had been executed to close perfection.

With 9 minutes left within the recreation, Colorado State obtained the ball and did a 12 play, seven minute drive to attain a area aim to tie the sport. Utah State had an opportunity to attain, however went four-and-out to present Colorado State the ball with 58 seconds left on their very own 12 yard line. For a second it appeared like they had been going to expire the clock and check out their luck in additional time. But, they determined to make a closing try and get the win. Quarterback Garrett Grayson threw it deep to receiver Rashad Higgins, who was in triple protection, for 46 yards to arrange the sport successful area aim.

Higgins had a heck of a recreation, ending with 187 whole yards – the remainder of the staff mixed for 131. But kicker Jared Roberts additionally deserves some credit score. After lacking a 47 yard try early within the fourth quarter, he made the following two, each from 46 yards out, to tie after which win the sport.

5. Fresno State vs Houston, 33-27 (2017 Hawai’i Bowl)

Excitement Index: 7.9, Adjusted Score: 0.926

Fresno entered the sport as a three-point underdog and didn’t begin out nice. Houston jumped out to an early lead, utilizing a flea flicker to arrange a 1 yard landing run by defensive lineman Ed Oliver, then picked off Marcus McMaryion two performs later. That was sufficient to get up Fresno, who instantly pressured a three-and-out and caught a break on a missed area aim. Fresno ultimately scored their first landing on an 11 play drive, the groups traded area objectives for a bit, resulting in an thrilling finsih.

Late within the third quarter Fresno took a 20-13 lead following a landing run by McMaryion and recovered a fumble on the following kickoff. Houston managed to power a three-and-out, then blocked the sphere aim try and returned it 93 yards for a landing to tie the sport. That total sequence occurred over the span of 5 minutes. But Fresno didn’t fold; after getting two extra area objectives, nook Jaron Bryant tipped an interception to himself and returned it for a rating to present Fresno a 33-20 lead.

Houston adopted up with a tricky 16 play, 76 yard drive to attain a landing with 45 seconds left and shrink the result in 33-27. Given all that had occurred up so far, it wasn’t unreasonable for extra craziness to occur and see Houston efficiently pull off an onside kick. But Fresno recovered the onside kick, securing the win and ending their 10-year drought with no bowl recreation victory.

4. Hawai’i vs BYU (2019 Hawai’i Bowl)

Excitement Index: 9.11, Adjusted Score: 0.980

This had two future NFL draft picks at quarterback. BYU had Zach Wilson, whereas Hawai’i had Cole McDonald, and the 2 placed on a present. Zach Wilson had 274 yards passing, together with 72 yards and a couple of touchdowns on the bottom. But Cole McDonald had the higher efficiency in his closing collegiate recreation, throwing 4 touchdowns (plus one on the bottom) and a career-high 493 passing yards.

Hawai’i began sturdy, scoring 31 factors within the first half towards a stable BYU protection, together with main 21-7 early within the second quarter. BYU managed to work their approach again, and eventually took a lead early within the fourth quarter. Their protection awakened after halftime, holding Hawai’i to damaging 4 yards within the third quarter. But after stopping BYU on fourth down, Hawaii obtained the ball again with two minutes left, nonetheless down 34-31. McDonald had back-to-back clutch throws to receiver Nick Marder, the second being a landing to take the lead.

The Hawai’i bowl didn’t seem to present out a Defensive Player of the Game award, however I’m giving the unofficial honor to security Khourey Bethley. He went into the sport with zero interceptions on the yr, however picked off Wilson twice, the second approaching the ultimate drive of the sport to safe the win.

3. Nevada vs Arkansas State, 16-13 (2018 Arizona Bowl)

Excitement Index: 9.34, Adjusted Score 1.02

This was very a lot a defensive recreation, as evidenced by the ultimate rating. Nevada’s offense actually struggled, ending with 285 whole yards, however their protection saved them within the recreation. Arkansas State had 5 journeys within the pink zone however solely had seven factors to point out for it. It’s not typically a staff features practically 500 yards of offense and solely 13 factors, however Nevada’s protection made it occur.

Nevada’s offense had a single drive that went longer than 50 yards, however fortunately for them they delivered when it was wanted most. The ended regulation with a stable 10 play drive that went 74 yards, together with two clutch catches from receivers with minimal taking part in time that yr. The first was a 15 yard go to receiver Dominic Christian on fourth down, who going into the sport had three profession receptions. The second was to Ben Putman, who didn’t have a reception on the yr. But his 44 yard catch set the staff up for a one yard landing to retake the lead, giving him 114 yards on the day. However, Arkansas State answered with a stable drive of their very own, ending with a area aim to tie the sport at 10-10 and ship it into additional time.

In additional time, Nevada’s protection once more refused to present in, stopping Arkansas State on the seven yard line, holding them to a area aim. When Nevada’s offense got here on the sphere, quarterback Ty Gangi made a simple go to tight finish Reagan Roberson, who bullied his approach by just a few defenders to win the sport for Nevada.

2. Fresno State vs Boise State, 19-16 (2018 Conference Championship)

Excitement Index: 8.52, Adjusted Score 1.09

Our highest rated convention recreation was additionally one of many higher rivalries within the convention. This recreation was the fourth assembly between Fresno and Boise in two years, and a rematch of the championship recreation from the earlier yr. Boise received two of the primary three, each being determined by a single possession, so this recreation seemed to be an excellent one. It was a recreation that started off with respectable climate, however by the tip of the second quarter it shortly changed into a real snow recreation.

Every time one of many groups began to get momentum, it shortly switched. Boise fumbled the ball early on their very own 26 yard line, organising a simple landing for Fresno to take the primary lead. Boise adopted up by scoring on a play the place receiver Sean Modster caught a deflected go, whereas falling out of bounds, within the endzone. A number of drives later Fresno fumbled, Boise took it to the 26 yard line, however failed on a fourth down try. Neither staff may construct a lot momentum, with each groups making well timed errors.

Eventually Boise managed to get one other drive and scored a landing with eight minutes left, however Fresno blocked the purpose after to maintain it tied. A bit bit later Fresno began to get an excellent drive, obtained to the 36, then fumbled. Boise went three-and-out, Fresno crossed midfield once more, however Marcus McMaryion was sacked on third down with 90 seconds left in regulation to maintain them out of area aim vary.

In additional time Boise had the ball first and managed to have first and aim on the ten, however Fresno’s protection held them to a area aim. Five performs later, Ronnie Rivers, who had struggled many of the evening, broke a sort out on a pitch to attain, successful Fresno each the sport and their first convention title. It formally accomplished this system turnaround, as Fresno simply two years earlier completed with a 1-11 report.

1. Boise State vs Arizona, 38-30 (2014 Fiesta Bowl)

Excitement Index: 5.89, Adjusted Score 1.148

The highest rated recreation simply occurs to be the lone win for the convention in a NY6 Bowl. Boise as soon as once more discovered themselves as an underdog within the Fiesta Bowl, this time to No. 10 Arizona.

Boise began sturdy, having 4 performs of 20-plus yards of their first three drives to present them a 21-0 lead, together with scoring on a Statue of Liberty run by operating again Jay Ajayi. Arizona slowly began to crawl their approach again, with quarterback Anu Soloman ending the sport with 335 passing yards. He did throw a choose six within the third quarter, however adopted that up with a 52 yard landing go on the following drive. While there was nonetheless a full quarter to play, it felt like Arizona was going to drag off the comeback. Boise’s offense had slowed down, solely scoring 10 factors within the second and third quarter, together with three drives with no first down.

Boise’s protection, which had their struggles all year long, managed to do exactly sufficient within the fourth quarter. They pressured a 3 and out and obtained a fourth down cease on one other drive, however Arizona had one final probability after one other three-and-out by Boise’s offense. Arizona fought their approach all the best way to the eight yard line, with 15 seconds left on the clock. Solomon tried extending the play, however was tackled by defensive finish Kamalei Correa as time expired. The win gave Boise three Fiesta Bowl victories in three appearances and reasserted themselves as faculty soccer’s premier non-power college.

Most notable win for every staff not featured right here:

Air Force: 27-24 win over Colorado State in 2014

New Mexico: 23-17 win over San Diego State in 2025

San Jose State: 34-20 win over Boise State within the 2020 Conference Championship recreation

Wyoming: 16-15 win over Toledo within the 2023 Arizona Bowl

Utah State: 44 – 41 win over New Mexico in 2023

There have been a variety of nice soccer video games over the previous 13 years, greater than I can keep in mind by myself. There had been nice comebacks, enjoyable shoot-outs, and massive upsets. The knowledge helped me with placing this collectively, however clearly the enjoyment of sports activities can’t be absolutely captured in numbers. Let me know within the feedback which video games assume should be on this record.