NCAA Football Betting: 2024 Mountain West Power Rankings

1. Boise State Broncos

Mountain West Championship Odds: +110
Odds to Make CFP: +400

After years of lying dormant, the Boise State Broncos broke out with a solid 2023 campaign. Head Coach Spencer Danielson took over partway through the season and coached his way into a full-time gig.

Although the Broncos lost Taylen Green to the Arkansas Razorbacks via the transfer portal, they lured former four-star recruit Malachi Nelson to Albertsons Stadium. 

It's all coming together in time for Boise State to make some noise in the expanded playoff bracket, but they'll have to get past a competitive Mountain West Conference to get there.

11. Nevada Wolf Pack

Mountain West Championship Odds: +15000
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

One of the worst offensive teams in the country last year, the bar hasn't been set much higher for the Nevada Wolf Pack in 2024. 

The inexperienced offensive unit will continue to grow together, but Nevada also lost standout defensive back Emany Johnson to the pro ranks.

This leaves the Wolf Pack with too many shortcomings to have any real shot of competing this season.

10. San Jose State Spartans

Mountain West Championship Odds: +6500
Odds to Make CFP: +3000

And just like that, the San Jose State Spartans window is closed again. At least for the time being.

The Spartans lost their starting quarterback and running back on offense, as well as two of their top three defenders from last season. 

San Jose State managed to land some intriguing prospects via the transfer portal, but it's not enough to offset their losses. 

It's time to start building for the future, but there will be some hard lessons in 2024.

9. San Diego State Aztecs

Mountain West Championship Odds: +320
Odds to Make CFP: +13000

The San Diego State Aztecs are at risk of missing bowl season for just the second time since 2009. 

San Diego State replaced virtually all of its starters on offense, along with a handful of notable defenders. 

Although most of their recruits landed in SoCal via the transfer portal, Head Coach Sean Lewis faces a daunting task in bringing this new group together in time for the season.

8. Utah State Aggies

Mountain West Championship Odds: +3200
Odds to Make CFP: +20000

Former Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras preserved his last season of eligibility following shoulder surgery at the end of the 2022 campaign. Now, we'll see how effectively he can take over the Utah State Aggies offense. 

Petras will be surrounded by experience, with the Aggies returning most of their starters, including 1,000-yard receiver Jalen Royals. However, the departure of Davon Booth leaves a sizeable gap in Utah State's backfield. 

The odds are stacked against the Aggies this year, but if Petras can shine against the MWC competition, Utah State could be headed to its third straight bowl game.

7. Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors

Mountain West Championship Odds: +3200
Odds to Make CFP: +30000

Don't be surprised if the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors pull off a few unexpected upsets this season. 

Brayden Schager is back for his senior season, looking to build on last year's 3,542 passing yards. That's an achievable target, with top wideouts Steven McBride and Pofele Ashlock still in the mix.

If Hawaii can get back to wielding its home-field advantage unmercifully, the Rainbow Warriors could be in the mix for the MWC Championship Game.

6. Wyoming Cowboys

Mountain West Championship Odds: +1400
Odds to Make CFP: +8000

A relatively weak non-conference schedule will keep the Wyoming Cowboys out of the College Football Playoff, but that won't impact their ability to compete for the Mountain West Championship. 

Even though a handful of players made the jump to the NFL, Laramie's cupboards are still stocked. 

Led by Harrison Waylee, Wyoming is a few underdog wins from stunning the Mountain West Conference.

5. Air Force Falcons

Mountain West Championship Odds: +1200
Odds to Make CFP: +6000

The senior-laden Air Force Falcons are looking for their sixth straight season of winning football, and Zac Larrier and Emmanuel Michel can help them achieve that goal. 

They may have the fourth-shortest odds in the MWC to make the CFP, but the Falcons best shot at glory comes from winning the conference.

4. Colorado State Rams

Mountain West Championship Odds: +1400
Odds to Make CFP: +6000

Looking for his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season, Tory Horton could almost single-handedly lead the Colorado State Rams back to college football relevancy. 

Horton has an established connection with sophomore pivot Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who threw for 3,460 yards and 22 scores in his freshman season. 

With their best defensive players returning for another kick at the can, the Rams are our preferred value pick to upset the Mountain West.

3. UNLV Rebels

Mountain West Championship Odds: +600
Odds to Make CFP: +3300

Years of disappointment were undone by a breakout 2023, and suddenly, the UNLV Rebels are priced near the top of the Mountain West Conference futures board at +600. 

Grad transfer Matt Sluka needs to pick up the pieces from recently departed Jayden Maiava. Thankfully, he has standout wide receiver Ricky White III to lean on. Likewise, linebacker Jackson Woodard returns to stabilize a surprisingly stout defensive unit. 

If the heavily sought-after Sluka adapts quickly, we could see the Rebels live up to the hype.

2. Fresno State Bulldogs

Mountain West Championship Odds: +350
Odds to Make CFP: +2000

A disastrous end to last season derailed any of the Fresno State Bulldogs' momentum coming into the 2024 campaign. Still, the Bulldogs return senior quarterback Mikey Keene and running back Malik Sherrod, setting themselves up for success in the MWC. 

Fresno State had some ambitious plans coming into the season, bookending their schedule with matchups against the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins. Still, those are the types of Power 5 wins they need to have if they hope to make the CFP.

An upset win over the Wolverines as +20.5 underdogs in Week 1 would catapult the Bulldogs to the top of our power rankings.

1. Boise State Broncos

Mountain West Championship Odds: +110
Odds to Make CFP: +400

After years of lying dormant, the Boise State Broncos broke out with a solid 2023 campaign. Head Coach Spencer Danielson took over partway through the season and coached his way into a full-time gig.

Although the Broncos lost Taylen Green to the Arkansas Razorbacks via the transfer portal, they lured former four-star recruit Malachi Nelson to Albertsons Stadium. 

It's all coming together in time for Boise State to make some noise in the expanded playoff bracket, but they'll have to get past a competitive Mountain West Conference to get there.