New Mexico made the top hire per Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports

One analyst believes the best hire happened in the Mountain West.

The 2023-24 coaching carousel seems to be never-ending with the Boston College Eagles joining the fray on Wednesday. Jeff Hafely opted to leave his post as a sitting head coach to take a coordinator role with the Green Bay Packers.

The move comes after Sherrone Moore was named the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. The promotion of Moore came just days after Jim Harbaugh notified the university that he would be leaving for the NFL despite winning the CFP national championship a few weeks ago.

With so much movement going on at the FBS level, Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports ranked 25 hires this past cycle. It begins with a familiar face rejoining the coaching ranks.

No. 1: Bronco Mendenhall, New Mexico Lobos

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mendenhall stepped down from his post as the Virginia Cavaliers head coach prior to the 2022 season. He was replaced by former Clemson Tigers offensive coordinator Tony Elliott. Mendenhall, the long-time BYU head coach is returning to his former stomping grounds in the Mountain West. Mendenhall replaces Danny Gonzales, who was fired after three failed seasons with the Lobos.

What Myerberg says…

He’s a winner, pure and simple. Mendenhall has been very successful at two stops, Brigham Young and Virginia, reaching bowl eligibility in every non-COVID-19 year of his coaching career outside of his debut season with the Cavaliers. Mendenhall is also a former New Mexico assistant under Rocky Long and brings deep familiarity with the program and the broader region. As one of the surest bets in coaching and a terrific ambassador for the program and athletics department, he’s an absolute coup for the Lobos.

Mendenhall edged out new Houston Cougars head coach Willie Fritz, who checks in at No. 2. New Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer was the No. 3 head coach according to Myerberg. Former Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo and former Troy head coach Jon Sumrall round out the top five.

Former five-star recruit expected to transfer to Boise State

Another former five-star commit could be heading to Boise State.

The Boise State Broncos and new head coach Spencer Danielson could be closing in on another former five-recruit coming to the blue turf. Former Texas A&M Aggies and Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Chris Marshall is expected to commit to the Broncos.

After brief stops in the SEC, Marshall spent the last season with Kilgore Junior College in Marshall’s home state of Texas. He appeared in six games for the Kangaroos with 21 receptions for 449 Yards and five touchdowns. Marshall averaged 21.4 yards per reception.

Danielson is bringing in some serious talent as the Broncos look to make their case for the 12-team playoff in 2024. They will likely have to duke it out with the Tulane Green Wave and UTSA Roadrunners for that spot as the top Group of Five programs this next season.

The Broncos recently added former five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, who entered the transfer portal after sitting during the 2023 season behind Caleb Williams. Nelson joins a transfer class that includes Vavion Woodard (Ball State), Cam Camper (Indiana), and Jeremiah Earby (California). Marshall would be another addition that is coming over with Power Five experience.

Former five-star USC quarterback linked to a Mountain West team

Malachi Nelson, one of the top five quarterback prospects in the 2023 class, threw three passes as a freshman with the Trojans.

Former five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, who spent his freshman 2023 season with USC, is scheduled to make his first official visit at Boise State in the next few days, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Thursday.

Thamel also reported that the Broncos are the current favorite for Nelson, who was 247Sports’ No. 5 quarterback in the Class of 2023.

“(Nelson is) looking for a blue-collar program to blend in and prove himself,” Thamel’s report read on social media.

The ESPN reporter said Nelson was drawn to the Broncos because of their high number of returning starters, including several members of the offensive line. Broncos offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan reportedly recruited Nelson as far back as middle school when he still worked for Washington.

Boise State finished the season with an 8-6 record and a Mountain West title after a late four-game win streak culminated in a 44-20 victory over UNLV in the conference title game. Interim head coach Spencer Danielson was promoted to the position full-time after the triumph.

Sophomore quarterback Taylen Green played in 13 games for the Broncos last season, throwing for 1,752 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He announced his commitment to transfer to Arkansas last month.

Nelson threw three passes in his freshman campaign, completing one for no gain.

Air Force ends losing streak with Armed Forces Bowl victory over James Madison

The Falcons rushed for 351 yards as a team and held the ball for more than 37 minutes, never letting James Madison get enough momentum.

Air Force ended its 2023 regular season on a four-game losing streak, but the Falcons managed to find a silver lining with a 31-21 victory over James Madison in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Saturday.

The Dukes won 11 of their 12 regular-season games, but James Madison had no answers for Air Force fullback Emmanuel Michel.

The senior had the best game of his collegiate career against James Madison, with 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. He broke off a 54-yard dash on the Falcon’s first play from scrimmage, pushing his way into the end zone a few plays later for the game’s first score.

Michel forced his way into the end zone from one yard out for a second time in the middle of the second quarter, extending Air Force’s lead to 14-7.

The Falcons’ running game in general dominated the game, as Air Force ran for 351 yards as a team and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. James Madison’s inability to slow down the ground game also led to a severe imbalance in time of possession, with Air Force holding the ball for more than 37 minutes.

The slow burn was on full display in the second half with both teams combining for seven possessions. Air Force scored 10 points, and James Madison never had enough chances with the ball to come back despite only punting once after halftime.

Here are the best photos from Air Force’s win.

Fresno State bowls over New Mexico State in commanding New Mexico Bowl win

The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies in their home state with 17 unanswered points to end the game behind a brilliant game from quarterback Mikey Keene.

New Mexico State might have been playing in its own state, but Fresno State looked right at home in its 37-10 victory in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl.

The Bulldogs, coached by linebackers coach Tim Skipper as head coach Jeff Tedford deals with personal health concerns, jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the opening quarter and never looked back.

Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene delivered one of the best games in the early bowl season. He threw two first-half touchdowns, first a 26-yard score to Josiah Freeman in the opening quarter before he connected with Jaelen Gill for a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Keene ended the day with 31 completions on 39 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Seven different Bulldogs players caught at least three passes. He even ran for a score, making him responsible for all four Fresno State touchdowns.

The game looked closer when the final quarter began, with Fresno State’s lead only 20-10, but the Bulldogs scored 17 unanswered points to end the game with an emphatic victory.

Here are the best images from Fresno State’s victory.

Mountain West reveals Oregon State and Washington State games for 2024

All 12 members of the Mountain West will play a game against either Oregon State or Washington State as the last two members of the Pac-12 fill out their 2024 schedules.

The Mountain West Conference revealed the 2024 opponents for each member of the conference, including the matchups for Oregon State and Washington State, on Thursday.

The final remnants of the Pac-12 announced a partnership with the Mountain West conference on Dec. 1 to fill out their schedules since the rest of their conference scattered to the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC.

All 12 members of the Mountain West will play one game against either the Beavers or the Cougars. Games against Oregon State and Washington State won’t count toward any Mountain West team’s conference record, and neither the Beavers nor the Cougars will be eligible for the Mountain West Conference Championship game.

Oregon State will host Colorado State, San Jose State, and UNLV. The Beavers will travel to Air Force, Nevada, and San Diego State.

Washington State will welcome Hawaii, Utah State, and Wyoming into its home stadium in Pullman. The Cougars will play Boise State, Fresno State, and New Mexico on the road.

Mountain West discussing adding Oregon State and Washington State for basketball

The Mountain West is in discussions with Oregon State and Washington State to join as a basketball member starting in 2024-25.

The Mountain West recently reached a scheduling agreement with the two remaining Pac-12 schools, Oregon State and Washington State, so it is no surprise the parties are now in discussion to work together in basketball as well.

A source told CBS’ Jon Rothstein the Mountain West and Oregon State and Washington State are in discussions to join the league for the 2024-25 college basketball season, which would provide the two programs with a home following the final year of Pac-12 play in 2023-24.

Details are sparse for right now, with Rothstein indicating there is no timetable for an official announcement. Whether this agreement would extend beyond 2024-25, potentially into full membership, is one of many details unknown at the moment – including if other non-revenue generating sports, like baseball, women’s soccer, softball, and tennis – are being discussed.

The Mountain West is certainly a formidable basketball conference, currently boasting five programs in the top 50 of the NET on the men’s side in Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah State, and Nevada, as well as two on the women’s side in UNLV and Colorado State.

Washington State is No. 27 in the NET on the men’s side and No. 28 on the women’s side, as of this writing, making them an appealing addition for the Mountain West.

Oregon State is No. 35 on the women’s side but the men’s team has really struggled the last few years under coach Wayne Tinkle. They are currently 5-3 on the season and ranked 187th in the NET.

Still, adding two well-known brands who are obvious geographic fits will boost the conference’s on-court product and will have a positive impact financially, and represents a soft landing spot for the two programs who were left out to dry by the 10 other Pac-12 programs in this summer’s conference realignment.

Boise State rolls to a Mountain West championship

Boise State under interim head coach Spencer Danielson wins the Mountain West championship.

It took a three-way tie and the computers to get the Boise State Broncos into the Mountain West title game but they more than proved they belonged. Interim head coach Spencer Danielson and the Broncos ran passed UNLV for the 44-20 win.

It was tight early as Boise State built a 14-7 lead, on the first play of the second quarter Fred Thompkins picked off Taylen Green for the touchdown. Following that game-tying score, it was three straight scores to get a comfortable 31-14 lead with less than five minutes to go in the first half. One of those scores came on a 70-yard from Green.

UNLV would score on six points from that point on in the game. Jose Pizano would convert kicks of 51-yards and 46-yards out for the Rebels. Once the margin dropped to 11 points, Boise State would take off again thanks to two field goals from Jonah Dalmas, including a 50-yard kick. The other score came in the closing seconds of the third quarter as Green found Matt Lauter for a 16-yard touchdown reception.

The Rebels quarterback Jayden Maiava did his best to try and make a game of it for UNLV. Unfortunately his two interceptions and a fumble prevented the team from sustaining drives against Boise State.

Check out these images from the game:

2023 College Football Rankings 1 To 133: Offseason First Look

2023 College Football Rankings: All 133 teams with the first offseason thoughts before spring ball.

College Football News 2023 college football rankings for all 133 teams as the offseason kicks in and before spring ball gets going.


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2023 College Football Rankings 1 to 133 Offseason First Look

This is what we call a jumping off point.

No, we don’t know where all the transfers are settling, and no, we don’t have a firm grip on all 133 starting quarterback situations – and yes, it’s 133 this year with the addition of Sam Houston and Jacksonville State.

As it all looks before spring football gets going in a few weeks, here’s our ranking of how good all the teams appear to be going into next season. It’s only a few months away – there’s time to change all of this.

Two things to remember. 1) BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF are off to the Big 12. That waters down the Group of Five that much more, and 2) if it seems like we’re overrating the Power Five programs and underrating the Group of Fivers, yeah. The Power Five programs have more resources, more talent, more … more. We expect more, so we’re setting the bar higher.

Don’t get into a twist over any or all of this. We’ll reconfigure it all during the spring, and then a few more times before the official CFN Preseason Rankings in August.

CFN 2023 Rankings: Offseason First Look
101-133 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
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133 UMass

2022: 131 2021: 129 2020: 127 2019: 130 2018: 104

College Football Rankings First Look: (1-11) There’s a ton of work to do for an offense that finished dead last in the nation in scoring. There’s experience returning, though.

132 Sam Houston

2022: NR 2021: NR 2020: NR 2019: NR 2018: NR

College Football Rankings First Look: (6-5) The Bearkats start life in the FBS needing to crank up an offense that sputtered way too much in 2022.

131 Texas State

2022: 122 2021: 122 2020: 111 2019: 114 2018: 123

College Football Rankings First Look: (4-8) New head coach GJ Kinne’s offense will go fast and throw a ton. There’s a shot to make a little Sun Belt noise if the attack works.

130 New Mexico

2022: 129 2021: 125 2020: 95 2019: 120 2018: 110

College Football Rankings First Look: (2-10) Danny Gonzales has GOT to find something on offense that works. Dead last in the nation in total yards, there’s a long way to go.

139 FIU

2022: 127 2021: 130 2020: 125 2019: 85 2018: 43

College Football Rankings First Look: (4-8) There were glimpses of positive potential last season. Head coach Mike MacIntyre might just get this team to flirt with six wins.

128 Jacksonville State

2022: NR 2021: NR 2020: NR 2019: NR 2018: NR

College Football Rankings First Look: (9-2) Lots of rushing, lots of points, lots of problems for Conference USA against a FAST Gamecock attack.

127 Arkansas State

2022: 128 2021: 123 2020: 112 2019: 67 2018: 72

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) This hasn’t started to work yet under Butch Jones, Any improvement starts with getting anything out of the O line.

126 Nevada

2022: 130 2021: 56 2020: 57 2019: 74 2018: 48

College Football Rankings First Look: (2-10) Things can’t – and won’t – be worse after a disastrous 2022. The offense has the veterans to be a whole lot better.

125 Charlotte

2022: 123 2021: 115 2020: 116 2019: 72 2018: 93

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) Defense, defense, DEFENSE. The 49ers have the guys on one side, but that defensive bunch needs to be night and day better.

124 Hawaii

2022: 121 2021: 102 2020: 74 2019: 32 2018: 73

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-10) Timmy Chang was thrown into one of the toughest situations in college football. Now he has a slew of veterans to work with.

123 Akron

2022: 119 2021: 127 2020: 123 2019: 129 2018: 102

College Football Rankings First Look: (2-10) Joe Moorhead is a terrific head coach – Akron played a whole lot better than 2-10. This is a loaded veteran bunch returning.

120 Northern Illinois

2022: 120 2021: 69 2020: 122 2019: 92 2018: 38

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) Coming off a total collapse, the defense has to find something that works to go along with a typically strong ground game.

120 Kent State

2022: 111 2021: 90 2020: 89 2019: 66 2018: 114

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-7) Sean Lewis left to go be Coach Prime’s OC at Colorado. The fun on offense doesn’t stop under Kenni Burns – fast, fast, fast.

119 ULM

2022: 116 2021: 124 2020: 124 2019: 100 2018: 89

College Football Rankings First Look: (4-8) Consistency. Terry Bowden’s team has to find it, and it starts by getting more out of the lines. The defensive front has to hold up.

119 Louisiana Tech

2022: 124 2021: 114 2020: 103 2019: 43 2018: 77

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) A strange disaster in 2022, Sonny Cumbie needs a LOT more O – QB Hank Bachmeier coming in – if the D doesn’t improve.

118 Old Dominion

2022: 107 2021: 94 2020: NR 2019: 125 2018: 105

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) It was a rough year with nothing working right. The Monarchs need more difference-makers on both sides of the ball.

117 Ball State

2022: 118 2021: 98 2020: 46 2019: 83 2018: 106

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-7) The Cardinals let a bowl slip away with a bad late run. The passing game has to do more downfield, but the line should be good.

116 USF

2022: 126 2021: 103 2020: 113 2019: 104 2018: 78

College Football Rankings First Look: (1-12) If it’s possible to not be all that bad of a 1-11 team, that was USF. New head man Alex Golesh has a good base to work with.

115 UTEP

2022: 112 2021: 106 2020: 121 2019: 128 2018: 130

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-7) Painfully close to going bowling, UTEP will again have a strong D. The O will control the clock, but it needs to be more dangerous.

114 UConn

2022: 91 2021: 128 2020: NR 2019: 126 2018: 129

College Football Rankings First Look: (6-7) There’s still a talent gap, and there needs to be a downfield completion, but Jim Mora Jr. proved it’s possible to win at UConn.

113 Western Michigan

2022: 117 2021: 84 2020: 97 2019: 42 2018: 76

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-7) One of the biggest under-the-radar disappointments of last year, WMU starts fresh with Lance Taylor. He has to jumpstart the O.

112 UNLV

2022: 113 2021: 113 2020: 120 2019: 106 2018: 107

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-7) UNLV was rising when it fired Marcus Arroyo. Barry Odom, though, was a terrific hire. There will finally be some defense in Vegas.

111 Colorado State

2022: 125 2021: 117 2020: 100 2019: 109 2018: 120

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) There needed to be a reboot. Fine, but now Jay Norvell needs to find some points – CSU averaged 13.2 per game.

110 Temple

2022: 114 2021: 118 2020: 110 2019: 54 2018: 58

College Football Rankings First Look: (3-9) There’s a lot of upside here. The Owls will once again crank up the defensive pressure, and the passing game will be dangerous.

109 Rice

2022: 109 2021: 116 2020: 106 2019: 115 2018: 127

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-8) The Owls lose a slew of key playmakers, but the lines should be good. The ball control style opens up with JT Daniels now at QB.

108 New Mexico State

2022: 104 2021: 126 2020: NR 2019: 127 2018: 124

College Football Rankings First Look: (7-6) Jerry Kill once again proved he’s one of the best coaches going. Now his team is loaded with veterans to make a splash in C-USA.

107 Central Michigan

2022: 115 2021: 70 2020: 105 2019: 71 2018: 128

College Football Rankings First Look: (4-8) A weird disappointment in 2022, Jim McElwain’s team has a lot of good young players. It doesn’t matter if the turnovers don’t stop.

106 Bowling Green

2022: 105 2021: 108 2020: 126 2019: 124 2018: 118

College Football Rankings First Look: (6-7) FINALLY there was a breakthrough under Scot Loeffler. Expect more out of the passing game. The pressure on D will keep rolling.

105 Buffalo

2022: 100 2021: 109 2020: 63 2019: 39 2018: 34

College Football Rankings First Look: (7-6) UB has to build on the clutch finish to show some consistency. They’ll control the ball, but the D line has to be more disruptive.

104 Tulsa

2022: 97 2021: 77 2020: 39 2019: 86 2018: 115

College Football Rankings First Look: (5-7) New head coach Kevin Wilson knows how to get an offense moving. Step One: Fix the O line. Step Two: See Step One.

103 Louisiana

2022: 96 2021: 38 2020: 15 2019: 14 2018: 79

College Football Rankings First Look: (6-7) The rebuild from last year is over. Now the Ragin’ Cajuns are loaded with vets and should do more offensively.

102 San Jose State

2022: 94 2021: 87 2020: 47 2019: 95 2018: 126

College Football Rankings First Look: (7-5) There’s rebuilding to do on the lines – the O line has to be far stronger – but it’s San Jose State. The pass rush will be terrific.

101 Georgia State

2022: 101 2021: 68 2020: 77 2019: 75 2018: 122

College Football Rankings First Look: (4-8) The ground attack should once again be amazing, but the defense has to come up with a whole lot more against the run.

CFN 2023 Rankings: Offseason First Look
101-133 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10

NEXT: 2023 College Football Rankings First Look 76-100

College Basketball Predictions. American Athletic, Big East, Mountain West Picks, Lines For Saturday, February 25

American Athletic Conference, Big East, Mountain West college basketball predictions, lines, how to watch for Saturday, February 25

College basketball predictions and lines for every American Athletic Conference, Big East, and Mountain West game on Saturday, February 25


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How have the college basketball picks been so far?
Top 25: Straight Up 117-27, ATS 87-56-1, O/U 84-60
Overall: Straight Up 674-299, ATS 557-407-6, O/U  541-425-4

Saturday College Basketball Predictions
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American Athletic, Big East, Mountain West
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American Athletic Conference Predictions

SMU at USF Prediction

Game Time: 7:00 ET
How To Watch: ESPN+
Prediction: USF 72, SMU 69
Line: USF -4.5, o/u: 149

Houston at East Carolina Prediction

Game Time: 8:00 ET
How To Watch: ESPN2
Prediction: Houston 81, East Carolina 65
Line: Houston -20, o/u: 135.5

Big East Predictions

UConn at St. John’s Prediction

Game Time: 12:00 ET
How To Watch: CBS
Prediction: St. John’s 74, UConn 72
Line: UConn -7.5, o/u: 152

Creighton at Villanova Prediction

Game Time: 12:00 ET
How To Watch: FOX
Prediction: Villanova 66, Creighton 63
Line: Villanova -2.5, o/u: 135

DePaul at Marquette Prediction

Game Time: 7:30 ET
How To Watch: FS1
Prediction: Marquette 79, DePaul 65
Line: Marquette -15, o/u: 152

Mountain West Predictions

Boise State at San Jose State Prediction

Game Time: 7:00 ET
How To Watch: Mountain West Network
Prediction: Boise State 71, San Jose State 67
Line: Boise State -3.5, o/u: 132.5

San Diego State at New Mexico Prediction

Game Time: 10:00 ET
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Prediction: San Diego State 70, New Mexico 68
Line: San Diego State -1.5, o/u: 147.5

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