Early yesterday, the MW announced their upcoming football schedules for not only the 2013 season but also for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons as well.

First, let me say that I really appreciate what the MW did announcing the schedules so far in advance as it avoids any pre-conceived notions that they are favoring any one school. No one at this point has a good idea on which schools are going to fare well or poorly a couple of years from now.

Second, before I get into my breakdown of their 2013 schedule by each school keep in mind the MW is adding two teams this year in San Jose St and Utah St from the WAC and they are moving to divisions with the teams in the Mountain Time Zone being in the appropriately named Mountain division and the teams in the Pacific Time Zone plus Hawaii being in the West Division.

Keep in mind the MW has just announced the opponents as of right now as the dates of the games will be announced at a later time.

Schedule Analysis:

Mountain Division:

Air Force-The Falcons miss two teams that went to bowl games last year in Fresno St and San Jose St but do have to play Boise St and Nevada away from home. Their conference home schedule also features two bowl teams from a year ago in San Diego St and Utah St.

Boise St-The Broncos will play one of the tougher schedules in the MW next year as their home slate features bowl teams from a year ago in Air Force and Nevada. Their conference road schedule will see them play at Fresno St, San Diego St and Utah St who each won at least 9 games a year ago and Boise also avoids Hawaii, UNLV who were a combined 5-19 a year ago.

Colorado St-The Rams home schedule is arguably the toughest in the MW in 2013 as all four teams went to bowl games a year ago in Air Force, Boise St, Nevada and San Jose St. Their more winnable games come on the road as they play Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah St and Wyoming but they do skip out on Fresno St and San Diego St who were part of the 3-way tie for the MW title last year.

New Mexico-Bob Davie pulled off one of the best coaching jobs in the country last year getting a New Mexico team to win 4 games after winning a combined 3 games in the previous 3 seasons. The Lobos will have an opportunity to continue to improve in 2013 as I would classify most of their conference home games as winnable (Air Force, Colorado St, UNLV and Utah St) but they do have arguably the toughest MW road schedule as they play at Boise St, Fresno St and San Diego St who all tied for the crown last year. They do skip out on Nevada and San Jose St along with Hawaii.

Utah St-In their first year in the MW, the Aggies caught a few breaks as they avoid Fresno St, Nevada and San Diego St who all went to bowls a year ago. They get winnable home games against Colorado St, Hawaii and Wyoming and their road schedule is manageable as they play at New Mexico, UNLV and San Jose St for a 2nd year in a row after beating the Spartans 49-27 in San Jose last year.

Wyoming-The Cowboys schedule as of now looks like it will rank middle of the pack as while they avoid Nevada and San Diego St in 2013 and also play winnable home games against Colorado St, Hawaii and New Mexico, their road schedule is daunting playing at Air Force, Boise St, San Jose St and Utah St who all went to bowl games a year ago.

West Division:

Fresno St-The Bulldogs at this point look like they have a decent schedule as while they avoid Air Force and Utah St in conference play they do have to play at Hawaii, San Diego St and San Jose St. They have arguably the conference’s biggest game next year at home against Boise St and also play Nevada at home as well.

Hawaii-Norm Chow will look to have the Warriors much improved in his second season and their schedule is a mixed bag. While Air Force and Boise St are off the schedule, they do have long road trips to Utah St and Wyoming played in high elevations. Their home schedule features three bowl teams from last year in Fresno St, San Diego St and San Jose St.

Nevada-Brian Polian will be looking to keep the Wolf Pack among the conference’s best after Hall of Famer Chris Ault stepped aside at the end of last year. The schedule though is among the toughest in the MW as they must play defending conference champs Boise St, Fresno St and San Diego St all on the road while they miss two non-bowl teams from last year in New Mexico and Wyoming. Their home games though should all be considered winnable as they play Air Force, Hawaii, San Jose St and UNLV.

San Diego St-The Aztecs have one of the more marquee home schedules in 2013 as they play Boise St, Fresno St and Nevada all at home while their road schedule is not that difficult as they play Air Force, Hawaii, San Jose St and UNLV. Simply put, if they can take care of business at home, it looks like Rocky Long and the Aztecs will be bowling for a 4th consecutive season.

San Jose St-The Spartans like the Aggies caught a break in scheduling in their first year in the MW as they avoid Air Force and Boise St. Their away games are mostly winnable in Colorado St, Hawaii, Nevada and UNLV while their home schedule is tougher as they play Fresno St, San Diego St and Utah St.

UNLV-The Rebels do avoid Boise in 2013 but also avoid two winnable games against Colorado St and Wyoming as well. Their road schedule features 3 bowl teams in Air Force, Fresno St and Nevada while their home schedule also features 3 bowl teams in San Diego St, San Jose St and Utah St.

If you need a complete team schedule for any of the MW teams for 2013 or any other schools please check out my 2013 schedule page as we update it on a daily basis.