College Football 2017: Ranking the 3 worst losses of Week 8

Two weeks ago, San Diego State looked like the front-runner in the race for the Group of Five’s automatic bid into a New Year’s Six bowl game. The Aztecs had taken down solid Arizona State and Stanford teams to go 2-0 against Pac-12 competition. And the two-time defending Mountain West champions were playing inspired football fueled by the dominance of running back Rashaad Penny.

Then they fell to Boise State last weekend, in a game that looked like a preview of the Mountain West championship game. After Week 8, however, the Aztecs took a serious blow to their hopes of winning a third straight conference title. A comprehensive 27-3 rout by Fresno State put San Diego State behind the 8-ball.

Penny was held in check for the second straight week, as he gained just 69 rushing yards and hauled in only one reception on the night. Fresno State’s defense contained the Aztecs offense in the air and as well, holding Christian Chapman and Ryan Agnew to a combined 90 passing yards. Oregon State transfer Marcus McMaryion carved up the Aztecs secondary, while Jordan Mims rushed for 112 yards for the Bulldogs.

As a result, Fresno State now enjoys a two-game lead in the MWC West standings over the Aztecs and three games over everyone else in the division. More importantly, the Bulldogs also hold a critical tiebreaker against San Diego State. In one late-night matchup in Week 8, Rocky Long’s team went from the best team in the Group of Five to an afterthought in their own conference after suffering one of the worst losses of the week.