Week three of conference previews is here, and it’s time to turn the spotlight on the Mountain West, an entertaining league last year that should be just as wide open this season. With all-due respect to the American, the Mountain West looks like the best G5 conference in the country, at least when looking at the top half of the league. Things may look a lot different after just a few weeks, but there’s certainly a lot to get excited about going into the season, from a reloaded defending conference champ to 2018’s potential number one draft pick out of Laramie, WY.
The favorites
San Diego State
2016: 11-3 (6-2), Mountain West champions, West Division champions
Key returners: RB Rashaad Penny, QB Christian Chapman, CB Kameron Kelly
The Aztecs will defend their MW title without Donnel Pumphrey, who graduated last season as the NCAA’s all-time leader in rushing yards. That might seem like a massive red flag if there wasn’t a second 1,000-yard rusher coming back, but Rashaad Penny. Penny is one of the more explosive players in the league, also earning 2016 First Team All-MW honors as a kick returner. The defense may take a step back after losing several key pieces from last year’s unit, which ranked 12th in the FBS in total defense (320 ypg). But, the depth built by Rocky Long will show, and should keep the Aztecs atop the West Division.
Boise State
2016: 10-3 (6-2), Mountain Division co-champions
Key returners: QB Brett Rypien, WR Cedrick Wilson, DT David Moa
It would be a mistake to look too much into Boise State returning only seven starters to this year’s team. This is another group where years of recruiting depth will show on the field. Brett Rypien will lead the conference’s top passing offense from last season, although balance could be a concern after RB Jeremy McNichols bolted for the NFL draft. If Rypien can repeat his performance from a year ago, despite losing a few key receivers and McNichols, the Broncos will be the team to beat in the Mountain Division.
The contenders
Air Force
2016: 10-3 (5-3) Mountain Division 4th place
Key returners: RB Timothy McVey, T James Rast, G Ryan Beveridge
The Falcons ended 2016 on a six-game win streak, including a win over Boise State to keep the Broncos out of the title game. 2017 will bring many questions, especially for a defense which lost nearly every key piece. McVey will head the always-formidable triple option offense, but the loss of WR Jalen Robinette will significantly take away from their big-play ability. I expect Air Force will take a step back this season, but run their way to bowl eligibility for the 10th time in 11 years.
Colorado State
2016: 7-6 (5-3), Mountain Division 5th place
Key returners: QB Nick Stevens, WR Michael Gallup, C Jake Bennett
CSU is another team with a lot of upside, mostly thanks to the dangerous connection between Stevens and Gallup, which will lead last year’s second-best passing offense. Questions remain on defense, especially after the 60-point debacle in last year’s Potato Bowl against Idaho, now of the FCS. If the defense can remain in the middle of the pack despite an inexperienced secondary, the Rams will find themselves in another bowl game and in the top half of the Mountain Division.
Hawai’i
2016: 7-7 (4-4), West Division 2nd place
Key returners: QB Dru Brown, LB Jahlani Tavai, S Trayvon Henderson
Hawai’i is a potential sleeper team, included as a contender after a sneaky 7-win season last year. They are the only team in the West with a legitimate shot at unseating San Diego State, and even that is probably a longshot. But, with the exception of a trip to Wyoming, Hawaii will host all of their most difficult conference games, including SDSU. Brown will return with solid talent at skill positions around him, and the Warriors will be good for some late-night shootouts if nothing else.
New Mexico
2016: 9-4 (6-2), Mountain Division co-champions
Key returners: QB Lamar Jordan, RB Richard McQuarley, DE Garrett Hughes
Even a rabid college football fan would probably be forgiven for not knowing that the New Mexico Lobos had the best rushing offense in the FBS last year, with a whopping 350 yards per game. What they did to Wyoming’s defense in last season’s regular season finale is illegal in certain countries and rated R in ours. I’ve only recently stopped having nightmares of the gaping holes cleared by New Mexico’s offensive line and misdirection handoffs going for 70-yard touchdowns over and over. Bob Davie struck recruiting gold for his triple option offense and it helped his Lobos to one of their most successful seasons ever. While they may not be the best rushing offense in the entire country again, even a scaled-back version of 2016’s unit will cause major problems for any mediocre rushing defense.
Wyoming
2016: 8-6 (6-2), Mountain Division co-champions
Key returners: QB Josh Allen, LB Logan Wilson, S Andrew Wingard
The Cowboys perhaps have more question marks than any other team in this group. What everyone knows: Josh Allen is stupid good. Carve out a Saturday to watch him and get familiar, because he may soon become your NFL team’s franchise quarterback. What will be telling for Allen is how he handles the loss of key skill players like RB Brian Hill and WR Tanner Gentry. The defense has to get better, only because it can’t get much worse. After finishing 10th in the league in total defense, Craig Bohl brought in Scott Hazelton as his new defensive coordinator. Hazelton will have 6 returning starters and other key players returning from injury last year to work with. If depth comes through on offense and the defense shores up its glaring holes, a repeat trip to the conference title game may be in order.
The others
Fresno State
2016: 1-11 (0-8), West Division 6th place
Nevada
2016: 5-7 (3-5), West Division 4th place
San Jose State
2016: 4-8 (3-5), West Division 3rd place
Utah State
2016: 3-9 (1-7), Mountain Division 6th place
UNLV
2016: 4-8 (3-5), West Division 5th place
American Conference fanboys point to the bottom third of the Mountain West as the reason why the league isn’t as good as often advertised. Looking at the teams above, especially in the West Division, they do have a point. At least a few of these teams will need to show something to improve the balance of the league this year.
There are a few intriguing candidates among this list, despite the ugly records above. UNLV will start freshman Armani Rogers at QB. Rogers was listed as a three or four star recruit, depending on the outlet, and chose the Rebels over several Pac-12 schools, including UCLA and Washington. After redshirting last year, Rogers might be ready to push UNLV to six wins this season. San Jose State returns a lot from last year’s team, but a brutal non-conference schedule (vs. USF, at Texas, at Utah, at BYU) will likely keep them bowl ineligible once again.
Despite being (accidentally?) included in Student Union top 25 by our own Luke “Big Takes” Maiers, Fresno State is not a good team, and will probably be only marginally better this year.
Pre-Season Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Brett Rypien, Boise State
The media gave Allen the nod here, despite giving Rypien the spot on the All-Conference First Team last year. I’m inclined to give Rypien a slight edge, even as both players lose skill position players around them. Whoever can respond to new targets around them better will take home the award at the end of the year.
Defensive Player of the Year: S Andrew Wingard, Wyoming
I’ll stick with the media pick on this one. Wingard is entering into his true junior season after starting each of the last two. He’s an impressive two-way safety who will play a huge part in cutting down the big plays, both on the ground and through the air, that hurt the Cowboys’ defense in key spots last season.
Non-Conference Games to Watch
Colorado State vs Colorado, Sep. 1
Wyoming at Iowa, Sep. 2
Boise State at Washington State, Sep. 9
San Diego State vs Stanford, Sep. 16
Wyoming vs Oregon, Sep. 16
Conference Previews
SEC East
Pac 12 South
Mountain West
CUSA
MAC
Sun Belt