College Football will be here before we know it, and while Colby Dant and Moneyline Mac are kicking out team preview episodes, we’re breaking down conference previews! The season starts in a little over a month with Week 0 on August 27th. Today we are previewing the Mountain West Conference. Let’s dive into the Mountain West preview, take a look at the odds, and share a few best bets.
Mountain West Conference Preview
The Mountain West enters a new era in 2026 as a 10-team football league after Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State departed for the rebuilt Pac-12. New additions include UTEP, Hawai‘i, Northern Illinois, and North Dakota State.
The league is wide open with no clear dominant program. North Dakota State brings FCS championship pedigree and toughness, while UNLV and New Mexico stand out among returning competitors. The changes in this conference make this one of the most interesting ones to bet, as it could be wide open. Let’s take a look at some of the team changes headed into the 2026 season.
Air Force, Hawai’i, New Mexico, And Northern Illinois
The Air Force Falcons enter with a long-tenured coach in Troy Calhoun. This continuity could really help them rise above in a conference with a lot of unknowns. They have a disciplined option offense which is hard to stop. Despite recent struggles, they will look to make a push.
The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors enter the conference under Timmy Chang’s fifth season. They have a strong home advantage in Honolulu, and the program is building momentum. The Nevada Wolfpack also return their coach, Jeff Choate. They had a rough 2025 but are focused on developing the program under Choate.
The New Mexico Lobos seem to be rising fast after head coach Jack Eck’s first season had them at 9-4. They’re a tough, physical team that has been recruiting very well. They have a strong returning core in running back Scottre Humphrey, quarterback Jack Layne, and linebacker Jaxton Eck.
Northern Illinois Huskies have Rob Harley in his first season as their coach. They came from the MAC and look to focus on a defense-led team under new leadership. They may take a second to adjust to the new conference.
The Other Teams
The North Dakota State Bison perhaps make the biggest jump coming from the FCS. They’ve been an FCS powerhouse and bring plenty of championship culture. How they’ll fare at the tougher level, though, is yet to be seen. Especially with the roster adjustments they’ve had.
The San Jose State Spartans are in their third season under Ken Niumatolo. It’s been a tough road, but Niumatolo is a veteran and will look to help turn the culture around.
Last year, the UNLV Rebels went 10-4 under Dan Mullen’s first season coaching. They’re building towards sustaining excellence, and the Boise State Broncos are no longer in their way. They added quarterback Jackson Arnold and running back Jai’Den Thomas. They had a strong recruiting season and are the preseason favorites.
The UTEP Miners join from C-USA and are undergoing a significant roster overhaul. The Wyoming Cowboys have been a staple of the Mountain West but have struggled as of late. Now let’s take a look at some of the Mountain West best bets.
Odds to Win Mountain West Championship
UNLV +260
New Mexico +265
North Dakota State +300
Hawai’i +450
Air Force +600
San Jose State +1800
Wyoming +2000
Nevada +3000
Northern Illinois +6000
UTEP +8000
| Air Force Falcons | North Dakota State Bison |
| Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors | San Jose State Spartans |
| Nevada Wolfpack | UNLV Rebels |
| New Mexico Lobos | UTEP Miners |
| Northern Illinois Huskies | Wyoming Cowboys |
2026 Mountain West Best Bets
UNLV To Reach Conference Championship (+110)
Sometimes things in the books just don’t make sense. The UNLV Rebels are favorites to win the conference. However, they’re plus money to make the conference championship game. North Dakota State, the third favorite in the conference, is the favorite to make the conference championship game. Make it make sense.
Last year, UNLV went 10-4. There’s a reason they’re the favorites to win the Mountain West conference this year and a reason this is one of my best bets. Coach Dan Mullen has this team headed in the right direction, and I expect them to continue to be a strong opponent in this conference.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold and running back Jai’Den Thomas may be two of the best offensive players in the conference. Having them both on the same team is a great core for Mullen to have another successful season. They’re +110 to reach the conference championship, and I think it’s a given.
UTEP Under 2.5 Wins (+190)
The next Mountain West bet isn’t going to go over well for UTEP fans. They’ve had a significant roster overhaul as they jump from the C-USA to the MWC. The MWC is going to be a tougher conference than the C-USA, in my opinion.
The UTEP Miners have games against teams like Oklahoma and Michigan, and even games against teams like Oregon State could prove difficult. They won just two games last year, and I don’t think they’re going to do any better this year.
They’re +190 to finish under 2.5 wins. Do I think they win two games just like last year? Yes. Do I think they exceed the two wins in their new conference, with so many adjustments and changes to be made? No, I don’t. I’ll take the plus money bet and spend each week rooting against them. (Sorry UTEP!)
North Dakota State To Win The Conference (+300)
For my last Mountain West best bet, I’m going with a team that’s used to winning. North Dakota State makes the jump from FCS to FBS. It’s going to be tough for them to win as many games as they’re used to. It’s going to be tougher competition.
However, this program has such a strong winning culture. Therefore, I’m not going to fade them. They have games against teams like Fordham and Sacramento State outside their conference. Am I worried about their game against Jacksonville State? Of course. However, in this conference, they don’t have to win every single game to make the Conference Championship game.
There’s a reason they are favorites to make the championship game. That’s the only shot they need. If they can make that game, they can win this conference in their first year. With such a winning history, it’s hard for me to pass them up at +300. I’m buying into the Bison.
