2009 Moutnain West Preview

Since I consider this a legitimate BCS Conference, I will treat it as such. Back in the 1980's most of these schools were in the WAC and put up large numbers of points. BYU was even the 1984 national champion despite going 12-0 and not playing on New Year's Day. This is a competitive conference however, and this year is no exception. The big question will be if the conference champ goes to another BCS bowl, which I think is safe to say, yes.



1. BYU Cougars-Bronco Mendenhall has done a terrific job since taking over, but this year his defense needs to shore up the Cougars. Despite only having 4 starters back on offense I never really doubt the Cougars since they can score any time and often (Not a Mormon joke-so please do not take offense). The schedule is favorable in conference as Utah, TCU and Air Force travel to Provo. Oklahoma kicks off the season, and it could be a potential upset, and a great feather in the Bowl Selection cap should BYU win the MWC.
Player to watch: QB Max Hall

2. Air Force Falcons-I know you are doing a double take, but never rule out an option based offense backed by a stout defense. Air Force is flying under the radar (Military pun intended) and that is where you get bombed (Sorry for the bad pun). The Falcons return 6 on each side, giving them, UNLV and Wyoming as the only teams to return the same starters on each side. An easy schedule could give them a fast 4-0 start and knocking off Navy could make them 5-0 and ranked leading into hosting TCU.
Player to watch: LB Ken Lamendola

3. TCU Horned Frogs-I like the job Gary Patterson has done at TCU. But it seems that they come so close, yet so far away from being in a major Bowl game. The talent is on par, and he has had some big wins (ask Bob Stoops), but they just can't seem to put it together. I think this is the most talented team top to bottom-but show me. The schedule has Virginia and Clemson as NC games, but the tough games are on the road in conference-Air Force and BYU.
Player to watch: QB Andy Dalton

4. Utah Utes-The darlings of last year the Utes should have gotten love from the AP as they were the only unbeaten team last year. This year they may be reloading, I would pick them higher but you lose Andre Johnson at QB, you lose your best offensive edge. The Utes defense is strong, so is the running game. Another title run isn't out of the question-but a BCS berth is ubnlikely. Louisville and Oregon are the main NC games, but I don't see them beating Oregon and if they do, they might get recognition. The problem is they are getting everyone's best shot this year.
Player to watch: RB Matt Asiata, Jr

5. UNLV Running Rebels-This could be a breakout year for UNLV and head coach Mike Sanford. Urban Meyer's OC at Utah, the Rebs went 5-7 last year and return 7 on each side of the ball. This is by far his most experienced team, and there is optimism that really hasn't been there in a while. The recruiting is strong, and if the players can avoid off field temptations (that's hard to do in Vegas), then a bowl game is not out of the equation.
Player to watch: QB Omar Connor

6. Colorado State Rams-The moment that CSU hired Steve Fairchild, I had doubts. Sonny Lubick came in with a lot of credentials, and recruiting savvy that helped him turn around a losing program. But Fairchild did impress his 1st year on the job going 7-6 and picking up a Bowl win. This team resembles the old school CSU-plenty back on offense, not much back on defense. The road schedule in conference (BYU, TCU, UNLV) will be tough to overcome, and then there is the showdown with instate rival Colorado to kick things off.
Player to watch: LB Mychal Sisson

7. Wyoming Cowboys-Potential is here to have a great season. 8 starters on back on both sides of the ball, the conference heavies are coming to Laramie. But a new head coach in Dave Christensen comes in who was the OC in Missouri, so I don't doubt the offense production. Marty English was the LB coach last year and is now the DC. Texas is the big NC game this year, and the tough confernce road test is Utah. Ouch.
Player to watch: DE Mitch Unrein

8. San Diego State Aztecs-Brady Hoke left Ball St for this job on the other side of the country. This shocked me since it was so severe a move. The good news is that there is a lot of experienced players (8 on O; 7 on D) that will help out this year. But learning new systems might be the key-the Aztecs play UCLA, Southern Utah and Idaho before rolling into conference play on the road at Air Force. BYU and Utah come ot San Diego, so that is good news there. If this team gets off to a 2-2 start, consider it a success, but 1-3 looks more likely.
Player to watch: WR Vincent Brown

9. New Mexico Lobos-Rocky Hall is out, Mike Locksley the OC at Illinois is in. Experience is key on his staff, as former LSU assistant and North Texas HC Darrell Dickey runs the high powered no huddle spread offense, and to round out the LSU conncection Doug Mallory is not a co DC like he was at LSU last year. The defense should carry the Lobo's this year, but the transition from a simple pro style attack to the spread will take time. But strong recruiting helps as this is the foundation year and 2010 is the breakout year.
Player to watch: S Ian Clark