Air Force
Jeremy: Football is basically there but they need to reclaim the Commander-in-Chief trophy as its main goal on the gridiron. Secondary would be to win the Mountain West. There is talent coming back and the Mountain Division is tough but there are enough pieces for the Falcons to be in the mix once again.
On basketball, I am still waiting for the team to go full-on hockey line change with five in and five out and run other teams to death.
However, I will settle for knowing they have as a student manager who dressed up like he was an extra for Downton Abbey. More of this.
Not sure if helped them win yesterday, but @AF_MBB is only team in country with waiter service during time outs. pic.twitter.com/hyV7wMgEBH
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) January 1, 2020
Boise State
Raj: I’m sure a lot of teams would love to face some local criticism despite finishing 12-2 and winning the conference. That’s the Bronco’s reality. 2019 was a good year but Coach Harsin needs another ‘signature year’ and 2020 is shaping to have all the elements of another magical Bronco run. Let’s get it!
Jeremy: Leon Rice needs to find his coaching magic and get this team back to 20 wins. Last year was an abnormality with just 13 wins. Rice is a good enough coach and has one of the best players in the league in Derrick Alston to not pull off an upset against a top-tiered team and go to the NIT.
Colorado State
Jeremy: Win a freaking rivalry game. The Mike Bobo era was not great against Air Force, Wyoming or Colorado. He had a 2-13 record and those two wins came in his first year on the job. We will see what Steve Addazio can do.
It’s been a great day! Head Coach Addazio is in #RamCountry! #CSURams pic.twitter.com/FrMhwRzUPp
— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) December 12, 2019
Josh F: Win a rivalry game. Steve Addazio has said the right things (“That team up north”) and looks to be putting in the work to get the Rams back on track. However, beating a rival will get him back in the good graces of Rams fans quicker.
Fresno State
Jeremy: A shocking development came when Jeff Tedford stepped down due to health reasons so the big question/resolution is can Kalen Deboer who came back to Fresno State as the head coach following a one-year stint with Indiana and can he get the offense back on track. Really, the team on a whole as the 2019 year was a big drop off from winning the Mountain West to not making a bowl game.