FORT COLLINS — The battle for Mountain West supremacy took place a week ago, as TCU humbled Utah 55-28.
The wreckage on the other end of the standings goes at it today in Albuquerque, as Colorado State and New Mexico face each other in the search for their first MWC wins.
CSU (3-7, 0-6) has dropped seven straight games after a 3-0 start. New Mexico is winless in 14 starts.
Each has a game left after this — and anything can happen when CSU and Wyoming play. Only one outcome is likely when New Mexico finishes at TCU for the Horned Frogs’ likely MWC coronation and BCS bowl bid.
As if either hapless outfit needed any more pressure, no team has had a winless MWC season since Wyoming in 2000.
The last time CSU and New Mexico found themselves at the bottom of conference standings was in the 1991 Western Athletic Conference, when both finished 2-6.
“We haven’t played the way we know was expected,” CSU defensive tackle Guy Miller said. “We need to get back to what we were doing before (in early September).”
If any Rams knew the cure, they would have reversed course weeks ago.
“We have missed assignments, missed tackles, things we weren’t doing early in the year when we were playing decent,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said. “We have to get back to basics. That’s what we did with the bye week.”
While the Rams have had two weeks to dwell on their worst outing, a 35-16 UNLV loss, the Lobos have made strides.
BYU barely got past New Mexico 24-19 last week. Although the Lobos predictably lost to Utah 45-14, they played San Diego State within three points Oct. 31.
It’s senior day for 17 Lobos who saw bowl games early in their careers and meltdowns the last two seasons. First-year coach Mike Locksley, who is being mentored by former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy for off-the-field woes, has noted his club’s gradual improvement over the last five or so weeks. He attributed it to the resolve of the senior class.
“These are two teams that are desperate to get a win,” Locksley said. “I think we have to play smarter Saturday and protect the ball. The team that plays a little more consistent is going to win.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
