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Gone Bowling: The Mountain West

Already In

Air Force
6-2 (5-1)

Believe it or not, the sole member of the MWC that's already bowl eligible isn't the usual suspects of BYU, TCU, or even Utah. The Falcons have flourished under first year HC Troy Calhoun, getting bowl eligible for the first time since 2003, and looking to get an invite for the first time since '02. With a remaining schedule that reads at New Mexico, Army, at Notre Dame, and San Diego State, they've got plenty of chances to extend their win total to secure a berth. CBS thinks they'll take on Maryland in, what else, the Armed Forces Bowl.


Getting In

BYU
5-2 (3-0)

The Cougs stumbled early with non-con losses at UCLA and at Tulsa, but they're undefeated in conference play and likely to stay that way. Colorado State, TCU, at Wyoming, Utah, and at San Diego State finish out the year, and CBS thinks they'll be the MWC champions, earning them a return trip to the Las Vegas Bowl, this time against Oregon State.

New Mexico
5-2 (2-1)

The Lobos (which is an impossibly bad ass name) squeaked into the New Mexico Bowl last year with six wins, mostly because, well, they're New Mexico, but this year they should avoid any controversy. Air Force, at TCU, Colorado State, at Utah, and UNLV round out the schedule, with UNLV and Colorado State being imminently winable. CBS thinks they'll open the bowl season against Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Utah
5-3 (2-2)

The Utes have had an up and down season, dropping their first two before stunning UCLA 44-6, but they have a very good chance at reaching seven wins and a bowl invite. At Colorado State, Wyoming, New Mexico, and at BYU remain, and CBS thinks they'll get a bid to the New Mexico Bowl to take on Fresno State.


Hoping to Get In

Wyoming
4-3 (1-2)

The Cowboys got off to a great start, upsetting Virginia 23-3, but two straight losses have kept Wyoming at four wins. UNLV, at San Diego State, at Utah, BYU, and at Colorado State remain, and even though there are opportunities to reach six wins (I'm looking at you, UNLV and Colorado State), there's no guarantee that six will be enough. CBS doesn't project them in any bowl.

TCU
4-4 (1-3)

The Horned Frogs had a lot of BCS Buster potential at the start of the season, but they've stumbled to a 4-4 record, and with games remaining against New Mexico, at BYU, UNLV, and at San Diego State, there's no guarantee that they can win enough to lock up an invite. CBS does not project them in any bowl.


Staying Home

San Diego State
2-5 (1-2)

The Aztecs have five chances to get four wins, but Wyoming, at UNLV, at Air Force, TCU, and BYU is not the kind of gauntlet a team in their position needs.

UNLV
2-6 (1-3)

The Running Rebels put quite a scare into Wisconsin, and got an upset win over Utah, but that's just about all they'll be able to hang their hats on this year. At Wyoming, San Diego State, at TCU, and at New Mexico ensures this team will reach 3-6 tops.

Colorado State
1-6 (1-3)

The Rams have been fairly competitive in most of their games this season, and could easily be sitting at four wins with a shot at the post season. Alas, they're at a lowly 1-6 with no chance to reach .500. Utah, at BYU, at New Mexico, Georgia Southern (1AA), and Wyoming will all get their licks in over the next five weeks, and the Rams will stay at home this year.