Back in August, we released our team’s votes for the order of the Mountain West defenses heading into the 2025 season. Now that the season is over, the team voted again, and we compiled the votes and are posting the results in today’s post.
Note: For team stats, they obviously do not include the impending bowl games for teams playing in a bowl game. Although bowl games do count toward season stats, they have yet to be played, so the numbers won’t be completely accurate.
All team stats are from Sports
Reference.
1) San Diego State
2025 stats: 12.6 ppg, 109.7 rushing ypg, 157 passing ypg, 32 sacks, 13 INTs, 5 FFs
The Aztecs were the unanimous top defense in the Mountain West for the 2025 season and one of the best units in the nation. They were led by the co-MW Defensive Player of the Year in Chris Johnson, who teamed up with last season’s MW DPOY (Trey White III) to feature an aggressive defense that generated turnovers and limited yards and points all season long. After a few down years, San Diego State’s defense has once again reached an elite level, with numerous all-conference performers becoming a unit that opposing teams continuously struggled against.
2) Fresno State
2025 stats: 20.1 ppg, 132.9 rushing ypg, 160.6 passing ypg, 22 sacks, 19 INTs, 6 FFs
The Bulldogs had a season that exceeded expectations, and much of their success stemmed from their stingy defense. They were the best Mountain West team not named San Diego State in terms of limiting yards and points. Plus, they led the league in interceptions by a wide margin, relying on the strength of their secondary. If Fresno State can regularly produce strong defenses like this, they could be quite competitive going forward.
3) Boise State
2025 stats: 23.2 ppg, 162.3 rushing ypg, 167.1 passing ypg, 21 sacks, 14 INTs, 8 FFs
The Broncos’ defense got better as the year went on. They had a stout interior D-line, and their pass-rush compiled a lot of pressures, even if it didn’t result in as many stats as last year. The strength of the defense ended up being the secondary, as evidenced by the second-most interceptions and the third-fewest passing yards per game to go along with it. Boise State’s talent was able to come together and turn into one of the best defenses in the MW in 2025.
4) Wyoming
2025 stats: 20.5 ppg, 168.8 rushing ypg, 175.5 passing ypg, 18 sacks, 10 INTs, 8 FFs
The Cowboys had one of the best defenses in the country this past season in many categories. However, they were held back by their poor offense, which limited the impact on the other side of the ball. Still, they didn’t give up a lot of points or yards, and were near the top of the Mountain West in generating turnovers. Wyoming has a lot to like defensively, even if it didn’t lead to a high number of wins on the year.
5) New Mexico
2025 stats: 22.5 ppg, 113.4 rushing ypg, 236 passing ypg, 33 sacks, 9 INTs, 9 FFs
The Lobos didn’t have a flashy defense, but they were formidable and got the job done. They devoted their efforts to stopping the run, and it showed, as they were the second-best Mountain West team in that department. On top of that, they were the best team in the league at getting to the quarterback, accomplishing that feat 33 times. New Mexico’s defense was a big reason why they were able to win so many games this season.
6) Hawaii
2025 stats: 23.5 ppg, 133 rushing ypg, 218 passing ypg, 29 sacks, 8 INTs, 8 FFs
The Rainbow Warriors managed to put together a solid defense in 2024 and were able to do the same again in 2025. They limited points and graded out average in yards allowed both in the air and on the ground. Also, they were high in sacks and forced fumbles, while doing pretty well in forcing interceptions, creating a well-rounded unit. Overall, Hawaii’s defense was a steady complement to the high-powered offense.
7) UNLV
2025 stats: 28.1 ppg, 175.5 rushing ypg, 246 passing ypg, 28 sacks, 13 INTs, 7 FFs
The Rebels’ defense was a source of contention all season and was bailed out by their offense for much of the season. It could avoid looking like a liability against the bad teams they faced, but failed to put up strong numbers in most categories listed above. Some of the poor play was due to having an interim defensive coordinator, but it was also due to not enough success in the transfer portal. UNLV’s defense, unfortunately, cost them a few games this season.
8) Nevada
2025 stats: 27.5 ppg, 149.6 rushing ypg, 220.3 passing ypg, 19 sacks, 11 INTs, 5 FFs
The Wolf Pack are an interesting team to look at. On one hand, none of their points or yards allowed stats are the worst, despite not being great. However, the bigger issue appears to be the lack of big plays, finishing middle of the road in sacks and interceptions, while being towards the bottom in forced fumbles. At the end of the day, there wasn’t enough positives going on for Nevada’s defense.
9) Utah State
2025 stats: 28.3 ppg, 175.1 rushing ypg, 249.3 passing ypg, 27 sacks, 10 INTs, 4 FFs
The Aggies were at best inconsistent on defense, but were a poor unit more times than not during 2025. Allowing the third-most rushing yards and the second-most passing yards in the conference will do that, especially when the turnover numbers were alright, but nothing special compared to their conference mates. Utah State will need to focus on improving this side of the ball if they want to avoid a similar fate next season.
10) Air Force
2025 stats: 30.3 ppg, 158.5 rushing ypg, 264.7 passing ypg, 16 sacks, 7 INTs, 3 FFs
The Falcons historically have a strong defense, but that could not have been further from the case in 2025. They had one of the youngest secondaries in the nation, and it showed, giving up the most passing yards in the Mountain West by a wide margin. They were also one of three MW teams to allow an average of over 30 points per game, and forced the fewest turnovers. It was uncharacteristic for Air Force, but they were bad defensively this year.
11) Colorado State
2025 stats: 30.8 ppg, 204.9 rushing ypg, 221.1 passing ypg, 16 sacks, 8 INTs, 9 FFs
The Rams never really got going this season, and a poor defense was certainly part of that. They gave up over 30 points a game, which is never a good recipe for success. To make matters worse, they tied for the lowest sack total in the conference as well. Colorado State had a poor season and a poor defense and it’s no surprise they rank towards the bottom of the conference.
12) San Jose State
2025 stats: 32.5 ppg, 157.6 rushing ypg, 245.3 passing ypg, 18 sacks, 7 INTs, 8 FFs
Much like their offense, the Spartan defense never quite got going this season. They were repeatedly torched, giving up the most points per game in the conference. They were especially vulnerable through the air, giving up a ton of passing yards and tying for the lowest total interceptions among the twelve teams. San Jose State appeared to have enough productive players to be a pretty good unit, but that notion ended up crashing immediately once the year began.
Your turn: How would you rank the offenses and defenses in the Mountain West? What changes would you make? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
