Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Analysis:

Bern’s-Eye View: Mountain West Best Bets Week 14

Garrett Grayson

Associated Press

Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson runs in the second half of a 31-24 victory against UNR in Reno on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.

The Rebel Room

Reno Week

The Battle for the Fremont Cannon is in Las Vegas this week so Las Vegas Sun sports writers Ray Brewer, Case Keefer and Taylor Bern predict its paint color and break down the basketball team's weekend in New York.

After such a strong season it feels like I’m limping to the finish line after a rough performance last week. Finishing above 60 percent, which has been my goal for a few weeks, would require the first perfect week of the season, so perfection is the stated goal.

We could have a really tame or a rather wild ending to the Mountain West regular season, and the fun part is we won’t really know until the final game ends. Two teams — Boise State in the Mountain and Fresno State in the West — could win the divisions with victories. But if either of those teams stumble, there are multiple scenarios at play for each crown.

In the Mountain, Colorado State wins with a victory at Air Force and a Boise State loss while Utah State wins with a victory at Boise State and a Colorado State loss. In the West, San Diego State wins with a victory against San Jose State and a Fresno State loss while Hawaii wins with a victory at Fresno State and losses by San Diego State and UNR.

I’m predicting the Bulldogs will hold serve to win a supremely weak West Division while things might get wild in the Mountain.

Note: UNLV picks will appear in the live blog on the day of games.

FRIDAY

No. 21 Colorado State (minus-7.5) at Air Force

12:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

• If Boise State wins then there’s nothing the Rams can really do, but considering a Broncos loss wouldn’t be that shocking I think CSU comes out motivated to make what could be their final statement to a generally skeptical audience.

Pick: Colorado State — Loss

SATURDAY

Wyoming (plus-4.5) at New Mexico

Noon, Root Sports/Mountain West Network

• I wouldn’t be surprised by the Lobos, who occasionally look competent, running away with this game. However, in situations with two teams both this bad I’m inclined to take the points, especially when I can get more than 3.

Pick: Wyoming — Loss

San Jose State (plus-13.5) at San Diego State

12:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

• The Spartans gave up long ago. The Aztecs can pick their margin of victory, so hopefully they pick a big one.

Pick: San Diego State — Win

Hawaii (plus-11) at Fresno State

4 p.m., Mountain West Network

• Really hard to figure out how I think this one is going to play out. Mostly a guess, though there’s some value simply in taking the inflated line after Fresno’s big victory against UNR last week.

Pick: Hawaii — Win

Utah State (plus-9.5) at No. 25 Boise State

7:15 p.m., ESPN2

• I’m picking with my heart a bit here. Yes, Boise State beat Colorado State head to head, but overall the Rams have so clearly been the best team in the league that I want them to reach the Mountain West title game. Only way to do that is with a Broncos loss.

Pick: Utah State — Loss

Last week: 1-4

Season: 47-34

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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