Conference
Mountain West
The strongest of the leagues outside the power conferences, and the most realistic route to a playoff place from outside them.
Members
Mountain West programs
Mountain West · USAF Academy, Colorado · 4-8 in 2025
Mountain West · Honolulu, Hawaii · 9-4 in 2025
Mountain West · Reno, Nevada · 3-9 in 2025
Mountain West · Albuquerque, New Mexico · 9-4 in 2025
Mountain West · Fargo, North Dakota · 12-1 in 2025
Mountain West · DeKalb, Illinois · 3-9 in 2025
Mountain West · San Jose, California · 3-9 in 2025
Mountain West · Las Vegas, Nevada · 10-4 in 2025
Mountain West · El Paso, Texas · 2-10 in 2025
Mountain West · Laramie, Wyoming · 4-8 in 2025
Mountain West
The Group of Five path
The Mountain West sits outside the power conferences but has consistently produced teams capable of beating them. Boise State is the clearest example, with a long record of wins over programs operating on far larger budgets.
The expanded College Football Playoff changed what that is worth. A route from this conference into the national bracket is now real rather than theoretical, which raises the stakes on every conference game.
Mountain West
Playing for a different prize
For most of its members the season is measured against the conference title and a bowl invitation rather than a national championship, which produces a different kind of urgency — a single September loss to a power-conference opponent can end the wider argument before October.
FAQ
Mountain West questions
Which teams are in the Mountain West?
Boise State is the program covered here. Coverage is being expanded to more of the conference over time.
Can a Mountain West team reach the College Football Playoff?
Yes. The expanded playoff format includes a place for the highest-ranked champion from outside the power conferences, and the Mountain West is usually among the strongest candidates.
Why is Boise State significant?
A sustained record of beating programs with far larger resources helped establish that the gap between the sport's tiers was narrower than assumed, which shaped the case for a wider playoff.
How does the Mountain West compare to the power conferences?
Budgets and recruiting reach are smaller, so its best teams are usually its most experienced rather than its most highly recruited. The top of the league is competitive with mid-tier power conference teams.