Mountain West Football Betting Preview: Picks, Predictions, Over/Unders and Dark Horses

The Mountain West is consistently one of the more entertaining and competitive conferences in College Football.

The 2021 champions Utah State will look to make it two in a row under Blake Anderson, but have stiff competition against Air Force, Boise State and West division favorite Fresno State, who bring back arguably the most talented quarterback in the conference in Jake Haener.

Here is everything you need to know about the Mountain West heading into 2022.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Mountain West Regular Season Win Totals for Every Team

• Air Force: 8.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
• Boise State: 9 (Over -135/Under +115)
• Colorado State: 5.5 (Over -145/Under +125)
• Fresno State: 8.5 (Over -125/Under +105)
• Hawai'i: 4.5 (Over +105/Under -125)
• Nevada: 5 (Over +100/Under 5 -120)
• New Mexico: 3 (Over +100/Under -120)
• San Diego State: 7.5 (Over -120/Under +100)
• San Jose State: 6.5 (Over +125/Under 145)
• UNLV: 4.5 (Over +120/Under -140)
• Utah State: 7 (Over +100/Under -120)
• Wyoming: 5 (Over +105/Under -125)

Every Team’s Odds to Win Mountain West in 2022

• Air Force: +400
• Boise State: +215
• Colorado State: +3500
• Fresno State: +230
• Hawai'i: +12000
• Nevada: +5500
• New Mexico: +25000
• San Diego State: +600
• San Jose State: +2800
• UNLV: +10000
• Utah State: +900
• Wyoming: +4500

Mountain West Championship Favorite: Boise State (+215)

The Broncos enter this season as the favorites to win back the conference crown that has alluded them since 2019.

A big reason why is due to favorable breaks in the schedule. The top of the MWC is crowded, and most of the high leverage games that are sure to determine the pecking order will be played on the 'Smurf Turf' at Boise State. The team hosts San Diego State and Fresno State in back-to-back meetings at home before they get a bye to prepare for Air Force.

The next big game in conference is the final game of the year, again at home for reigning champ Utah State.

While the schedule breaks their way, the team should be rock solid as well. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier is back off of 3,000-yard season and is joined by George Holani, who rushed for 1,000 yards as a freshman but has battled injuries since.

The offense was boom or bust at times last season, and Bachmeier will need to find a new top target after Khalil Shakir and his 77 catches, 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns leave for the NFL, but the team is hoping for better health and continued development.

Overall, the team was 95th in red zone touchdown percentage, something that tends to even out over the years, with an experienced signal caller and a pair of all conference offensive lineman, a little bit of positive variance can have the Broncos pushing towards a double digit win season.

Mountain West Championship Dark Horse Pick: San Jose State (+2800)

After a dream run for head coach Brent Brennan in 2020 that ended with a 7-0 Mountain West regular season and conference title, the team fell off in 2021.

Injuries and turnovers plagued the roster that will hope to get some help from the transfer portal on offense. The Spartans had the fourth worst turnover margin in the country in 2021.

Dynamic quarterback Chevan Cordeiro transferred from MWC foe Hawai'i and he's competing with veteran Nick Nash for the starting gig. We'll see who wins but Cordeiro gives this team someone who had more than 3,000 all purpose yards last season.

He is joined by fellow MWC transfers Elijah Cooks and Justin Lockhart from Nevada and have No. 2 receiver from last season Isaiah Hamilton back in the fold. This offense has the potential to take a big step forward after bottoming out last year.

On defense, many key contributors are back -- eight of the top nine tacklers -- to an elite defense for MWC standards. The team was 68th nationally in defensive success rate and allowed just 5.14 yards per play, good for 35th in the country.

With experience back like defensive end Viliami Fehoko and Cade Hall who have combined for 21 sacks in their career, this Spartans defense is set for another strong campaign.

The odds are up against SJSU because of their schedule. They go to Fresno State and San Diego State, the two other best teams in the West Division. However, if there is a long shot bet, it's this. They should be favored in all but one other conference game (at Utah State).

Mountain West Championship Pick: Fresno State over Boise State

I'm not all the way sold on Boise this season, and Fresno State looks to be a cut above the rest in the conference this season.

Jake Haener opted not to follow Kalen DeBoer to Washington and will run it back with former Fresno HC Jeff Tedofrd. Tedford posted a combined record of 26-14 in three season with the program and will have a dynamic offense at his disposal.

Haener threw for 4,000 yards last season and helped upset UCLA on the road. While Ronnie Rivers exits, the team is more than capable of filling the void with Jordan Mims back at running back, who rushed for 710 yards in 2021. Jalen Cropper hauled in 85 passes and scored 11 touchdowns last season and will be back for a conference title push.

Fresno's defense was prone to lapses at times, but the team has a Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year candidate in David Perales back on the line after posting seven sacks last year. Overall, this defense is experienced and has playmakers all over.

Yes they go to Boise State, but they also get San Diego State and San Jose State at home and have the best quarterback in the league. Fresno State should welcome Tedford back with his second MWC crown.

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