MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL

The Mountain West from top to bottom:

No. 4 Texas Christian (11-0, 7-0 MWC) vs. New Mexico (1-10, 1-6): Horned Frogs have scored at least 38 points in six consecutive games.

No. 18 Brigham Young (9-2, 6-1) vs. No. 22 Utah (9-2, 6-1): Cougars have won at least nine games four consecutive seasons.

No. 22 Utah (9-2, 6-1) at No. 18 BYU (9-2, 6-1): Utes have scored on 11 trips to the red zone in the past three games, including 10 touchdowns.

Air Force (7-5, 5-3), regular season over: Armed Forces or New Mexico most likely bowls.

Wyoming (5-6, 3-4) at Colorado State (3-8, 0-7), Friday: Cowboys try to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2006.

San Diego State (4-7, 2-5) at UNLV (4-7, 2-5): Aztecs average 76 yards rushing per game, last in the conference.

UNLV (4-7, 2-5) vs. San Diego State (4-7, 2-5): Rebels are looking for first back-to-back winning home records since 1986 and 1987.

New Mexico (1-10, 1-6) at No. 4 TCU (11-0, 7-0): Lobos coming off first victory in 13 months.

Colorado State (3-8, 0-7) vs. Wyoming (5-6, 3-4), Friday: Rams have lost eight consecutive games, their longest skid in one season since going 0-12 in 1981.

 

FIVE BEST PLAYERS

1. Jerry Hughes, DL, TCU: One of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player.

2. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU: Could be a close vote for conference Offensive Player of the Year, but Dalton might win because of impressive play in biggest games.

3. Max Hall, QB, BYU: No. 2 nationally in pass efficiency rating.

4. Eddie Wide, RB, Utah: Despite coming off the bench early in the season, leads MWC with 918 yards rushing.

5. Jeremy Kerley, WR/Ret, TCU: Leads conference in kickoff and punt return averages.

 

THEY SAID IT …

Colorado State tailback John Mosure, on his crucial fumble in a 29-27 loss to New Mexico: "It’s the sickest feeling having their crowd knock you from side to side cheering while we run off having lost a close game. I know I could have made a difference if I scored when we were at the 5."

New Mexico first-year coach Mike Locksley, on his team’s first victory this season: "I told the team last night, you don’t get to pick your parents, and they obviously didn’t have much choice in picking their coach, but they’ve bought into everything we’ve asked as coaches."

TCU coach Gary Patterson, on not committing a penalty in a 45-10 victory over Wyoming: "Not only are we playing at a high level, but we’re also playing smart. That’s how you win a championship, and they’ve really done that all year long."

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON/REVIEW-JOURNAL