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Running back John Lee Eldridge III runs the ball as the Air Force Falcons have become favorites to win the Mountain West Conference.
Running back John Lee Eldridge III of the Air Force Falcons runs for a 60-yard touchdown against the UNLV Rebels during their game at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 15. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

The Boise State Broncos have won just one Mountain West championship over the last five years, but they opened as the favorites to win the league as we track the 2023 Mountain West Championship title market based on our best college football odds.

Will 2023 be the year the Boise State Broncos finally get back to the top of the Mountain West Conference? The preseason betting odds certainly seemed to indicate that, listing the Broncos as favorites to claim their first conference crown since 2019. Air Force has since taken over the top spot entering October, but Boise State is lurking.

Boise State's title in 2019 is its lone MWC championship over the last five years, despite making it to the championship game four different times over that span. Fresno State, which earned a 28-16 win over Boise State in the conference championship game in 2022, is expected to be the Broncos' biggest challenger once again.

Given the recent history of the top contenders, should we be looking for more long shots in this year's Mountain West race? 

Here is our look at the 2023 Mountain West championship market (odds via our best college football betting sites).

Mountain West championship odds 2023

(Odds accurate as of Sept. 26)

Team DraftKingsbet365
Air Force+220+225
Fresno State+220+240
Boise State+260+250
Wyoming+1100+1000
UNLV+1600+1600
Colorado State+1800+2000
San Diego State+4000+2800
San Jose State+4000+2800

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Mountain West championship betting analysis

Make sure to take advantage of the best prices by shopping around at all of our best sports betting sites when placing a futures bet. This market highlights the importance of getting the best number.

This market is usually slow to be released every week, at least compared to the Power Five conference odds.

Mountain West championship odds movement

Boise State is falling after opening as the favorite at +180 to win the league. The Broncos are third on the oddsboard with a value of +250, trailing Air Force and Fresno State.

Fresno State experienced a nice a jump in this market to start the year, going from a preseason price of +380 to win the conference entering the year to a value of +240.

Air Force has claimed the top spot in this market entering October.

Favorite to win the Mountain West championship

Air Force (+225 via bet365)

Air Force has soared up the oddsboard in this market after the opening month, thanks to a 4-0 start. The Falcons are likely getting a more significant boost because they are 2-0 in league play, whereas Boise State is 1-0 and no other team has picked up a win in the MWC.

Still, Air Force's performance in September was impressive. There was concern about how blocking and clock rule changes might affect the service academy programs, but the Falcons appear to be the most unbothered in 2023.

Mountain West championship odds: Contender

Fresno State (+240 via bet365)

There were questions about what Fresno State would look like with quarterback Jake Haener now in the NFL, but Mikey Keene has helped alleviate any of those concerns. Keene threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns in a Week 1 win over Purdue.

Fresno State won't face its first conference opponent until the end of the month, but we would expect these odds to stay below 3/1 until then.

Mountain West championship odds: Long shot

UNLV (+1600 via DraftKingsbet365)

This was my long-shot pick before the season, and there is no reason to change that after UNLV's start to 2023. It's clear that new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and his go-go offense will make the Rebels more feisty than people expect this year.

The Rebels were as long as 23/1 to win the MWC during the summer, but we still like taking a flier on them even at this price.

Mountain West championship odds: Fade

Wyoming (+1100 via DraftKings)

Wyoming opened 2023 with one of the biggest upsets, knocking off Texas Tech as a two-touchdown underdog. Wyoming also played closer than expected in a road matchup with Texas in Week 3.

But it's important to note that SP+ actually gave the Cowboys a 17.6% post-game win expectancy in that double-overtime thriller. Texas was also caught sleeping in a prime letdown spot after its upset win over Alabama.

Wyoming's recent rise up the Mountain West Conference oddsboard probably isn't justified.

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College football odds pages

Recent Mountain West championship winners

YearTeam
2022Fresno State
2021Utah State
2020San Jose State
2019Boise State
2018Fresno State
2017Boise State
2016San Diego State
2015San Diego State
2014Boise State
2013Fresno State

Mountain West championship FAQs

Who won the Mountain West championship last year?

The Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the Boise State Broncos in the 2022 Mountain West championship game.

When will the Mountain West championship be decided?

The 2023 Mountain West championship game will be decided on Saturday, Dec. 2. The game is slated to begin at 3 p.m ET. The game will be broadcasted on FOX.

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