Knudson: Heading for The Showdown

By Mark Knudson, The Mtn. Insider
October 27, 2011
 
Two weeks and counting until The Showdown in Boise between the Broncos and the TCU Horned Frogs. Both teams can use the next two weeks for fine-tuning.
 
Boise State is off this week before a tune-up game with struggling UNLV. Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs have a date with an “ex” when they play BYU this week before visiting Wyoming the week after.
 
As for this week’s games, Air Force finally gets to exhale, Colorado State needs to put its foot to the floor in Las Vegas while Wyoming gets to exit the snow and head to sunny San Diego.
 
We were 2-1 last week to move to 34-11 on the season.
 
Game of the Week: BYU (6-2) at TCU (5-2, 3-0)
 
For whatever reason, perhaps because they themselves are bolting the Conference, TCU didn’t have any issues with scheduling BYU even after the Cougars bailed on the Mountain West; only rival Utah also played the Cougars this season. The Horned Frogs took no pity on New Mexico last week in a shutout beat down and look to be gaining strength each week.
 
Meanwhile, BYU has won five in a row after getting humiliated by Utah. They beat up Idaho State last week and can win the state championship of Idaho next week when they play the Vandals. In between, though, not much to celebrate.
 
TCU 41, BYU 24   
 
Wyoming (4-2, 1-0) at San Diego State (4-2, 1-1)
 
A bold prediction: Wyoming is going bowling this season. Two more wins and they’re eligible. Not that it will be as easy as that sounds. Still on the schedule: Boise State, TCU and Air Force plus this week’s game in San Diego.
 
For the Aztecs, winning at Air Force was big, and if they can keep it rolling, a nine-win season is well within reach for Rocky Long.
 
San Diego State 40, Wyoming 21
 
Colorado State (3-4, 1-1) at UNLV (1-5, 0-1)
 
The Rams were unable to bounce back after getting rolled by Boise two weeks ago, falling to a beatable UTEP team last week. Now CSU has a very tough road ahead to reach the post season. A letdown against the struggling Rebels will effectively kill CSU’s bowl hopes. Meanwhile, the Rebels face a rugged closing stretch and are just searching for positives to take into next season.
 
Colorado State 34, UNLV 24  
 
Air Force (3-4, 0-3) at New Mexico (0-7, 0-2)
 
Octobers don’t get much tougher than what Air Force has gone through. Their defense was beat up most of the month but they showed a lot of resolve in hanging tough with Boise State last week. Now things get a little easier, starting with a game at lowly New Mexico, where the Lobos and their fans are anxiously awaiting the start of basketball season.
 
Air Force 45, New Mexico 10
See all of Mark Knudson's blog entries HERE.