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Friday, Air Force can do what many thought impossible when the season started.

The Falcons are positioned to eliminate preseason favorite Boise State from the Mountain West Conference championship race with a victory at Bronco Stadium.

Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. on what is expected to be a night when temperatures drop into the 20s. Air Force has won four straight games, including last week's 35-28 thriller over Utah State. The streak has put the Falcons on the brink of the Mountain Division title.

If Air Force beats Boise and New Mexico next week, the Falcons will reach the conference championship game, almost certainly against San Diego State.

"I'd definitely say we've all kind of caught our second wind here," Air Force safety Weston Steelhammer said. "… [But] we've got a pretty big one this week."

Boise State is 2-2 in its past four games. The Broncos come off a 31-24 loss to New Mexico — only their fourth home defeat since 2001.

Around the league

• Inconsistent Fresno State quarterback Zach Greenlee has lost his starting job twice this season. He was outstanding in last week's 42-14 win at Hawaii, however, despite the Rainbow Warriors being called for five roughing the passer penalties. Greenlee threw for six touchdowns and finished with a 119.25 efficiency rating. Said coach Tim DeRuyter: "I was proud of him. I think their plan was to try to get in his head and rough him up." After Greenlee got poked in the eye, DeRuyter said, "He looked like a boxer who got tattooed. I thought we needed one of those corner guys to fix him. We needed a cut man."

• San Diego State coach Rocky Long didn't mince words at his press conference this week. Asked if the streaking Aztecs had created a buzz around town, he said, "I don't get around town too much. I kind of stay close to my neighborhood. In my neighborhood, they don't care and they don't even know who I am. Other than asking for a dollar or two, they don't bother me." Asked if New Mexico's win at Boise last week surprised him, Long said, "No. People can beat Boise, even though Boise doesn't think they can be beat."

• Despite its successful season, New Mexico ranks seventh in the Mountain West in attendance. The Lobos average 24,431 fans with home games remaining against Colorado State and Air Force. The game against the Falcons could be for the Mountain Division championship. It also starts at 8:15 p.m., so the cold could be a factor. This week, athletic director Paul Krebs sent an open letter to fans, urging their support: "Many have taken a wait-and-see approach. Well, the wait is over. ... This team deserves your attention. The wait-and-see is over because our time is now. We need you in the stands."

luhm@sltrib.com Twitter: @sluhm —

Tribune Power Rankings

1. San Diego State (7-3) • Six straight lopsided victories

2. Boise State (7-3) • Needs to win, Lobos to lose

3. Air Force (7-3) • Finished 6-0 at Falcon Stadium

4. New Mexico (6-4) • First 6-win season since '07

5. Nevada (6-4) • On three-game winning streak

6. Utah State (5-5) • Has won 13 straight at home

7. Colorado State (5-5) • Need a win for bowl eligibility

8. San Jose State (4-6) • Last 2 losses: 4 points

9. Fresno State (3-7) • Wins: Abilene, UNLV, Hawaii

10. UNLV (3-7) • Finish vs. Aztecs, Cowboys

11. Hawaii (2-9) • 'Bows not competitive lately

12. Wyoming (1-10) • Such a terrific time for bye