New Mexico and North Dakota State lead initial Mountain West football rankings

The Mountain West football rankings for the first week of September place New Mexico at the top following a dominant win against Central Michigan. North Dakota State holds the second position after moving to a 2-0 record in its transition to the FBS. UNLV occupies the third spot after a conference victory over Hawaii, while Air Force follows at fourth after a win against an FCS opponent. The rankings reflect shifting momentum early in the season, with San Jose State and Nevada rising in the standings. Conversely, Hawaii dropped to the bottom tier of the rankings following a difficult start that raised concerns regarding offensive chemistry. Wyoming also slipped in the standings after a loss in the Border War. Teams continue to evaluate roster performance and position groups as the conference schedule progresses throughout the early fall season.

• 5:00 PMYahoo Sports — Mountain West Football Rankings: Week 1. Lobos & Bison dominate; Rainbow Warriors continue to slide.