2025 CFB Mountain West betting preview: Is Boise State still dominant without Jeanty? - ESPN

There's something quietly chaotic brewing in the Mountain West this season. Just beneath the surface of Boise State's dominance lies a shifting cast of challengers, rebuilders and rising programs trying to close the gap.

The Broncos enter 2025 with short odds and a loaded roster, chasing not just another conference title, but back-to-back playoff appearances. Behind them, San Jose State lurks with a dream schedule and a veteran core, while Hawaii has the look of a breakthrough team with a quarterback ready to light up the scoreboards.

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And then there's UNLV, caught between sky-high expectations and a total roster reset under new coach Dan Mullen. Don't forget Air Force, either, a perennial thorn that quietly ended last year on a four-game win streak and returns to its old-school identity with experience in the trenches.

A couple of timely bounces or a late-season collapse could decide who sneaks into December's title game.

Boise State to win Mountain West (-160)

Don't let the -160 price scare you off from considering this a strong value, even at shorter odds than last year's -130. The Broncos return quarterback Maddux Madsen along with a top-tier offensive line and a defense that was fourth in yards per play allowed in conference games. They also avoid tricky road spots against top contenders, with UNLV, Fresno State and Colorado State all coming to Boise.

Their only real Mountain West road tests are Air Force and Utah State, both rebuilding. This is the most complete and stable team in the conference with a 23-3 MWC record since 2022. While Ashton Jeanty's departure to the NFL leaves a major hole, Boise State has depth