The Mountain West will play host to two former Pac-12 teams in 2024, as the conference steered clear of realignment this last offseason. While they offer to present the best in class on the West Coast in 2024, the question presents itself: Who has the toughest schedule this fall?
The Mountain West Strength of Schedule aims to answer that and more.
2024 Mountain West Strength of Schedule
Before we get to the rankings, we need to examine how we generated these metrics.
From our cross-conference strength of schedule:
CFN’s exclusive strength of schedule metric was crafted carefully using as many resources as possible ahead of the 2024 season. Using a bevy of metrics such as returning production, roster projections, coaching staff, incoming talent, home-field advantage, and other factors, the CFN SOS analyzes which teams have the most difficult and easiest schedules this season.
CFN’s strength of schedule metric included each team’s transfer portal classes, valued quarterbacks returning to their school, and continuation among the coaching staffs into the ranking.
These factors all awarded schedule difficulty more heavily based on merit and projection, as opposed to looking back at results from last season, though those results were factored in moderately. They’ve also been updated following all the reports from spring practice, final transfer portal class numbers, and the most up-to-date roster and depth chart files we have on hand.
MORE: Strength of Schedule for All 134 Teams
Here’s how the MWC teams stacked up against one another for the 2024 season:
1) UNLV Rebels
Toughest Game: @ Kansas
Easiest Game: vs. Utah Tech
S.O.S. Score: 8.81
National Rank: 75th
MORE: UNLV’s 2024 Football Schedule
2) Utah State Aggies
Toughest Game: @ USC
Easiest Game: vs. Robert Morris
S.O.S. Score: 8.44
National Rank: 76th
MORE: Utah State’s 2024 Football Schedule
3) New Mexico Lobos
Toughest Game: @ Arizona
Easiest Game: vs. Montana State
S.O.S. Score: 8.21
National Rank: 79th
MORE: New Mexico’s 2024 Football Schedule
4) Nevada Wolf Pack
Toughest Game: @ Boise State
Easiest Game: vs. Eastern Washington
S.O.S. Score: 8.15
National Rank: T81st
MORE: Nevada’s 2024 Football Schedule
5) Boise State Broncos
Toughest Game: @ Oregon
Easiest Game: vs. Portland State
S.O.S. Score: 7.94
National Rank: 86th
MORE: Boise State’s 2024 Football Schedule
6) Colorado State Rams
Toughest Game: @ Texas
Easiest Game: vs. Northern Colorado
S.O.S. Score: 7.81
National Rank: 89th
MORE: Colorado State’s 2024 Football Schedule
7) Fresno State Bulldogs
Toughest Game: @ Michigan
Easiest Game: vs. San Jose State
S.O.S. Score: 7.79
National Rank: 90th
MORE: Fresno State’s 2024 Football Schedule
8) San Diego State Aztecs
Toughest Game: @ Boise State
Easiest Game: vs. Texas A&M-Commerce
S.O.S. Score: 6.98
National Rank: 98th
MORE: San Diego State’s 2024 Football Schedule
9) San Jose State Spartans
Toughest Game: @ Oregon State
Easiest Game: vs. Kennesaw State
S.O.S. Score: 6.21
National Rank: 113th
MORE: San Jose State’s 2024 Football Schedule
10) Air Force Falcons
Toughest Game: vs. Oregon State
Easiest Game: @ New Mexico
S.O.S. Score: 5.94
National Rank: 116th
MORE: Air Force’s 2024 Football Schedule
11) Wyoming Cowboys
Toughest Game: vs. Boise State
Easiest Game: vs. Idaho
S.O.S. Score: 5.90
National Rank: T117th
MORE: Wyoming’s 2024 Football Schedule
12) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Toughest Game: vs. Boise State
Easiest Game: vs. Delaware State
S.O.S. Score: 5.31
National Rank: 125th
MORE: Hawaii’s 2024 Football Schedule
KEEP READING: Top 10 Easiest College Football Schedules in 2024
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