The Mountain West Conference has unveiled its 2025 football schedule, featuring a robust lineup of 96 games, including 48 conference matches. Building on the success of the 2024 season, where five teams participated in bowl games and two finished within the national rankings, the upcoming year promises to be equally competitive. Notable changes include four programs welcoming new head coaches, and an early start with Week 0 games. The season will culminate with the Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship Game on December 5th, showcasing the top two teams based on their conference performance.

New Leadership and Early Challenges

Four Mountain West programs are set to enter the 2025 season under new leadership. Fresno State, New Mexico, UNLV, and Utah State will all have fresh faces at the helm, bringing new strategies and visions to their respective teams. This transition is expected to inject excitement and unpredictability into the league, as these teams adapt to their new coaching styles. Additionally, the season kicks off earlier than usual, with two Week 0 matchups providing fans with an extended football experience.

Fresno State will travel to Kansas in one of the Week 0 contests, while Hawai‘i welcomes Stanford to its home turf. These early-season games offer valuable opportunities for teams to gauge their readiness and build momentum before the official start of the regular season. Moreover, all 12 teams will be in action during the first full week of play, ensuring that the competition begins with a bang. Conference play commences in Week 3 when Utah State hosts Air Force, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and thrilling season.

High-Stakes Matchups and National Exposure

The 2025 Mountain West schedule includes several high-profile matchups against top-tier opponents from the Autonomous 4 conferences. Teams like Nevada, San José State, and Boise State will face formidable challenges early in the season, testing their mettle against some of college football's elite programs. These games not only provide exciting entertainment but also serve as crucial benchmarks for evaluating team strength and potential.

Nevada opens its campaign against Penn State, while San José State travels to Texas, and Boise State takes on Notre Dame later in the season. Collectively, these games represent significant tests for the Mountain West teams, offering them a chance to prove themselves on a national stage. Furthermore, the conference will square off against five teams that were ranked at the end of the previous season, adding even more weight to these encounters. The television partners, CBS Sports and FOX Sports, will soon finalize broadcast details, ensuring that fans across the country can tune in to witness this promising season unfold.