Tag: Wyoming Football

MWwire’s 2023 Preseason All-Conference Mountain West Football Team

The Mountain West Wire staff reveals its all-conference selections for the best of Mountain West football heading into the 2023 season.

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Mountain West Wire Presents Its 2023 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams

Our staff reveals its all-conference selections for the best of Mountain West football heading into the 2023 season.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Who do we expect to be the conference’s best performers this fall?

Mountain West Wire’s 2023 preseason honors:

All-Conference Teams | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Special Teams Player of the Year | Freshman of the Year | Newcomer of the Year | Coach of the Year | Coordinator of the Year

College football season is once again at our doorstep, so our staff here at Mountain West Wire has again put its collective heads together to create our seventh annual preseason all-Mountain West football team. If you’re interested in seeing the first six iterations, click here for the 2017 preseason selections, here for 2018, here for 2019, here for 2020, here for 2021, and here for 2022.

Much like a number of national publications, our preseason all-conference roster goes four deep. We have also continued our efforts to better reflect the variety we see week in and week out throughout the conference, too:

  • We vote for a Defensive Flex player to better reflect that some units — like Boise State, New Mexico, San Diego State, and Wyoming — often operate with five defensive backs or a nickelback/linebacker hybrid in their 3-3-5 or 4-2-5.
  • We split our linebacker selections into two, inside and outside, and differentiate between centers, guards, and tackles on the offensive lines and between interior linemen and edge rushers on defense.
  • We vote for three wide receivers instead of two.

If you disagree with our choices, let us know what you’d have done differently on Twitter, Facebook, or Threads.

First Team

Sep 3, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys linebacker Easton Gibbs (28) waits for the snap against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

Offense

QB – Taylen Green, Boise State
RB – George Holani, Boise State
RB – John Lee Eldridge III, Air Force
WR – Tory Horton, Colorado State
WR – Justin Lockhart, San Jose State
WR – Terrell Vaughn, Utah State
TE – Mark Redman, San Diego State
C – Thor Paglialong, Air Force
G – Cade Bennett, San Diego State
G – Garrett Curran, Boise State
T – Cade Beresford, Boise State
T – Frank Crum, Wyoming

Defense

DT – Jordan Bertagnole, Wyoming
DT – Cole Godbout, Wyoming
DE – Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
DE – DeVonne Harris, Wyoming
OLB – DJ Schramm, Boise State
OLB – Levelle Bailey, Fresno State
ILB – Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
ILB – Cody Moon, San Diego State
CB – Cam Lockridge, Fresno State
CB – Cam Stone, Hawaii
S – Jack Howell, Colorado State
S – Camby Goff, Air Force
FLEX – Ayden Hector, Colorado State

Special Teams

K – Jonah Dalmas, Boise State
P – Jack Browning, San Diego State
KR – Terrell Vaughn, Utah State
PR – Tory Horton, Colorado State

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Mountain West Football: 2022-23 Transfer Tracker

Mountain West Football: 2022-23 Transfer Tracker College football’s transfer is open for business in the new academic year. We’ll keep track of who’s leaving and who’s coming to the Mountain West. Contact/Follow @MWCwire Who is the league losing and …

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Mountain West Football: 2022-23 Transfer Tracker

College football’s transfer is open for business in the new academic year. We’ll keep track of who’s leaving and who’s coming to the Mountain West.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Who is the league losing and adding?

College football’s regular season is underway, but transfer portal season is never really over.

Since the new year officially began on August 1, football players from the Mountain West and beyond have announced their intention to find new places to play. Check back here periodically as we keep an eye on who is arriving and who’s heading out from the conference in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Leaving the Mountain West

Air Force

Boise State 

Colorado State

Fresno State

Hawaii

Nevada

New Mexico

San Diego State

San Jose State

UNLV

Utah State

Wyoming

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

The Best Mountain West Football Teams Ever According To SP+

The SP+ metric provides its updated perspective on the greatest Mountain West football teams of all time.

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The Best Mountain West Football Teams Ever According To SP+

The SP+ metric provides its updated perspective on the greatest Mountain West football teams of all time.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Who are the real GOATs?

Earlier this morning, ESPN’s Bill Connelly released an article that ranked the greatest teams of each decade according to SP+. From USC and Notre Dame in the 1920s to Nebraska and Miami (FL) in the 1980s to Alabama and Ohio State in the 2010s, there aren’t a ton of surprises among those who dominated each era with superior efficiency, but Connelly also provided a link to all historical SP+ data dating back to 1885.

We were curious, then: Who are the best teams in the history of the Mountain West, according to SP+? Before we give you that answer, here’s a brief rundown of the best iterations of every team during their time in the conference, dating back to 1999:

  • Air Force — 2019 and 2021 — 35th overall (11-2, 44th offense, 43rd defense in ’19; 10-3, 55th offense, 24th defense in ’21)
  • Boise State — 2011 — 6th overall (12-1, 7th offense, 21st defense)
  • Colorado State — 2000 — 34th overall (10-2, 56th offense, 15th defense)
  • Fresno State — 2018 — 21st overall (12-2, 44th offense, 13th defense)
  • Hawaii — 2021 — 84th overall (6-7, 83rd offense, 87th defense)
  • Nevada — 2021 — 52nd overall (8-5, 39th offense, 56th defense)
  • New Mexico — 2003 — 44th overall (8-5, 69th offense, 29th defense)
  • San Diego State — 2016 — 39th overall (11-3, 41st offense, 45th defense)
  • San Jose State — 2020 — 53rd overall (7-1, 79th offense, 31st defense)
  • UNLV — 2000 — 58th overall (8-5, 74th offense, 48th defense)
  • Utah State — 2018 — 19th overall (11-2, 12th offense, 42nd defense)
  • Wyoming — 1999 — 47th overall (7-4, 56th offense, 46th defense)
  • BYU — 2006 — 16th overall (11-2, 18th offense, 27th defense)
  • TCU — 2009 — 6th overall (12-1, 19th offense, 11th defense)
  • Utah — 2004 — 8th overall (12-0, 3rd offense, 45th defense)

As you’d expect, the list above includes some of the most storied teams in the history of the Mountain West but, interestingly, only seven of those above finished those respective seasons as conference champions. It also comes with a handful of surprising wrinkles, such as the revelation that Wyoming’s best Mountain West squad was its first and that Hawaii’s best team by SP+ was not its West division-winning iteration in 2019 but one under Todd Graham two years later.

How does this list compare, however, to the best teams in the entire history of each current Mountain West program?

  • Air Force — 1985 — 5th overall (12-1 in WAC, 1st offense, 31st defense)
  • Boise State — 2011 — 6th overall (12-1 in MWC, 7th offense, 21st defense)
  • Colorado State — 1915 and 1916 — 11th overall (7-0 in Rocky Mountain Conference, 5th offense, 37th defense in ’15; 6-0-1 in RMC, 8th offense, 42nd defense in ’16)
  • Fresno State — 2018 — 21st overall (12-2 in MWC, 44th offense, 13th defense)
  • Hawaii — 1981 — 18th overall (9-2 in WAC, 12th offense, 32nd defense)
  • Nevada — 1948 — 23rd overall (9-2 as independent, 13th offense, 50th defense)
  • New Mexico — 1964 — 30th overall (9-2 in WAC, 44th offense, 21st defense)
  • San Diego State — 1969 — 11th overall (11-0 in PCAA, 1st offense, 57th defense)
  • San Jose State — 1976 — 31st overall (7-4 in PCAA, 18th offense, 73rd defense)
  • UNLV — 1984 — 40th overall (11-2 in PCAA, 18th offense, 71st defense)
  • Utah State — 1961 — 8th overall (9-1-1 in Skyline Conference, 5th offense, 26th defense)
  • Wyoming — 1966 — 5th overall (10-1 in WAC, 2nd offense, 27th defense)

This list draws connections to some of the greatest names associated with their respective programs — Fisher DeBerry, Merlin Olsen, Randall Cunningham, Kellen Moore, and Don Coryell, to name a few — with only a couple of modern-era pinnacles at Boise State and Fresno State. Enough beating around the bush, though: What does SP+ have to say about the best teams in the history of the Mountain West? Here is a list of every team to have finished in the top 40 during their respective seasons:

  1. 2009 TCU and 2011 Boise State — 6th overall
  2. 2010 TCU — 7th
  3. 2004 Utah — 8th
  4. 2011 TCU — 10th
  5. 2008 Utah — 11th
  6. 2008 TCU — 14th
  7. 2006 BYU — 16th
  8. 2018 Utah State — 19th
  9. 1999 Utah and 2018 Fresno State — 21st
  10. 2006 TCU — 25th
  11. 2008 BYU and 2009 Utah — 26th
  12. 2007 BYU — 27th
  13. 2005 TCU — 28th
  14. 2018 Boise State — 31st
  15. 2012 Boise State — 32nd
  16. 1999 BYU — 33rd
  17. 2000 Colorado State, 2003 Utah, and 2021 Boise State — 34th
  18. 2019 Air Force and 2021 Air Force — 35th
  19. 1999 Colorado State, 2001 BYU, and 2009 BYU — 36th
  20. 2001 Utah and 2010 Utah — 37th
  21. 2016 San Diego State and 2020 Boise State — 39th

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Mountain West Football: Ranking The 2023 Non-Conference Games, #29 to #20

The Mountain West has 49 non-conference games on the docket in 2023. These ten games may pique your interest for a number of reasons.

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Mountain West Football: Ranking The 2023 Non-Conference Games, #29 to #20

The Mountain West has 49 non-conference games on the docket in 2023. These ten games may pique your interest for a number of reasons.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

These contests seem likely to go one particular way, but you never know.

29. North Dakota vs. Boise State

Why the game might be a drag: The Broncos have tended to handle FCS opponents with ease over the years, even good ones like the Tennessee-Martin squad they defeated in 2022, so while the Fighting Hawks might be a top-25 team themselves this fall, they may not have the talent to make the game on the blue competitive.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: What happens if the Boise State offense regresses? They did beat UTM by 23 last year, but the Broncos did so while averaging just 4.61 yards per play, a low figure surpassed only by their disaster at UTEP. While it doesn’t seem likely those struggles will creep back in, UND could be a good enough team to threaten an upset.

One player worth tuning in for: WR Bo Belquist

28. UNLV vs. UTEP

Why the game might be a drag: UNLV has struggled to win on the road in recent years, winning just one game away from Allegiant Stadium in both 2021 and 2022. The Miners aren’t anyone’s idea of a world-beater at present, El Paso is a tough place to play and they have the defensive talent to cause headaches for a promising Rebels offense.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: This could actually be a very good litmus test for both squads. Both the Rebels and Miners want to reach a bowl in 2023 and challenge for more, meaning that this may well be considered a “must-win” to reach those goals.

One player worth tuning in for: DL Praise Amaewhule

27. Stanford vs. Hawaii

Why the game might be a drag: The Cardinal are starting over in a lot of respects after Troy Taylor took over for David Shaw as head coach: New quarterback, new secondary, and more. Considering that Hawaii is also still working its way back to opening a competitive window, this could be a messy affair.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: You could make the argument that, given the offensive background that both Taylor and Timmy Chang bring to the table, they’ll find a way to figure things out on that side of the ball. If that ends up being the case, this could be a showcase for lots of points.

One player worth tuning in for: TE Benjamin Yurosek

26. Utah State vs. UConn

Why the game might be a drag: The Aggies didn’t finish last year on a strong note and the Huskies might… actually be on the rise? Traveling to the east coast is also never easy for any Mountain West team, so if Utah State hasn’t figured out how to replenish its depth with reliable athletes, UConn could be capable of turning the tables on last year’s result and hanging onto a lead this time.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: The UConn offense has plenty to figure out — navigating an uncertain quarterback situation and replacing key graduations and transfer portal departures — so it’s not a given that they’ll be able to hold onto last year’s gains. Utah State still has plenty of talent itself despite its portal losses, so winning in Connecticut isn’t a hopeless endeavor by any stretch.

One player worth tuning in for: OL Christian Haynes

25. Hawaii vs. Oregon

Why the game might be a drag: The Ducks are perennial contenders for a berth in the Rose Bowl and the Warriors might have too many questions on defense to keep them from hanging 50 on them like Michigan did last season.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: The few times that Oregon most struggled last year involved opponents with strong offenses, particularly Georgia and Washington, so while it’s a longshot that Hawaii will fit that bill, getting Brayden Schager’s A-game could be the impetus for a serious challenge at Autzen.

One player worth tuning in for: RB Noah Whittington

24. Hawaii vs. Vanderbilt

Why the game might be a drag: It was evident early on that the Commodores had superior athletes in a big-time win on the islands last season. A year later, there isn’t much reason to think that isn’t still the case and the rematch is in Nashville.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: Vanderbilt might be improved, but they aren’t perfect and must replace at least one star defender in 2023. If Hawaii’s run-and-shoot can hit the ground running, it could pose problems for the home team.

One player worth tuning in for: QB AJ Swann

23. Texas Tech vs. Wyoming

Why the game might be a drag: The Red Raiders had a pretty good offense last year, posting an average of 34.2 points per game en route to a respectable 8-5 record under new head coach Joey McGuire. That in itself could pose a serious problem to a Wyoming team that is still dealing with years-old issues on that side of the ball itself.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: You know Laramie is going to be hyped to take down a Power 5 opponent in front of a national audience. War Memorial Stadium also happens to be a tough place for non-conference opponents to play since Wyoming has won their last six games against such foes dating back to 2019.

One player worth tuning in for: DB Malik Dunlap

22. Wyoming vs. Texas

Why the game might be a drag: No, Texas isn’t back, but the Longhorns will still have a considerable talent advantage over the Cowboys going into this game and had no trouble dispatching the likes of Louisiana-Monroe and UTSA in non-conference play last season.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: What if the Texas offense struggles? There’s no doubt that defense will be Wyoming’s top calling card in 2023, but UT quarterback Quinn Ewers looked shaky at times in his first year at the helm and there’s a non-zero chance that a subpar performance could spur an upset big deep in the heart of the Lone Star State.

One player worth tuning in for: WR Xavier Worthy

21. Appalachian State vs. Wyoming

Why the game might be a drag: Though App State will have to replace its quarterback, top running back, and top overall defender in 2023, they have a track record of developing strong offenses and that could be a problem should Wyoming be forced to play in a shootout.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: Which App State team will show up in Laramie? The Mountaineers looked dominant at times last year and erratic at others, which explains why they were just 2-5 in games decided by eight or fewer points, and that kind of unpredictability can often make for must-see television.

One player worth tuning in for: RB Nate Noel

20. Nevada vs. USC

Why the game might be a drag: The Trojans should challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff this year. The Wolf Pack might still be in the middle of an overall rebuild. That disparity could lead to a lopsided romp at the Coliseum.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: Nevada has some questions to resolve, but not that many questions. If they’re able to shore up at safety and along the defensive line, the defense might be able to lead the way toward an unthinkable upset.

One player worth tuning in for: QB Caleb Williams

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Mountain West Football: CBS, Fox Television Schedule Released

Mountain West football fans can expect to tune into CBS and Fox early and often this fall for the conference’s national TV package.

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Mountain West Football: CBS, Fox Television Schedule Released

Mountain West football fans can expect to tune into CBS and Fox early and often this fall for the conference’s national TV package.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Mark your calendars.

Mountain West fans still have 89 days until Week 0 gets college football season started but, after releasing the overall schedule back in March, fall plans came a little more into focus today with the release of television schedules for both CBS and Fox.

While you can expect the majority of CBS-aired games to happen on CBS Sports Network like usual, a handful of Mountain West contests will take place on over-the-air CBS. That includes Wyoming’s season opener against Texas Tech on September 2, San Jose State’s home date with Oregon State on September 3, and the Commander-in-Chief’s battle between Air Force and Navy on October 21. The conference notes that those games will also be available to stream on Paramount+.

Additionally, a few games on the schedule have moved to Friday nights, the biggest of them being the annual Border War clash between Colorado State and Wyoming, which will take place in Laramie this season on November 3. Air Force will play a total of three Friday games, the most of any team in the conference, while the Cowboys will actually play twice in a row under the Friday night lights in November, traveling to UNLV on the 10th after their home date against the Rams.

The Mountain West football championship game is scheduled for Saturday, December 2. It will kick off at 12:00 PM Pacific/1:00 PM Mountain/10:00 AM Hawaii time on Fox.

Air Force

Saturday, September 2 – vs. Robert Morris
Saturday, September 9 – at Sam Houston State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, September 15 – vs. Utah State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, September 22 – at San Jose State, 7:30 PM PT, FS1
Saturday, September 30 – vs. San Diego State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 14 – vs. Wyoming, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 21 – at Navy, 10:00 AM MT, CBS
Saturday, October 28 – at Colorado State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 4 – vs. Army (in Denver), 12:30 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 11 – at Hawaii
Saturday, November 18 – vs. UNLV, 1:30 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, November 24 – at Boise State, 2:00 PM MT, FS1

Boise State

Saturday, September 2 – at Washington, 1:30 PM MT, ABC
Saturday, September 9 – vs. UCF, 5:00 PM MT, FS1
Saturday, September 16 – vs. North Dakota, 10:00 AM MT, FS1
Friday, September 22 – at San Diego State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 30 – at Memphis
Saturday, October 7 – vs. San Jose State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 14 – at Colorado State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, October 28 – vs. Wyoming, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 4 – at Fresno State, 7:00 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 11 – vs. New Mexico, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 18 – at Utah State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, November 24 – vs. Air Force, 2:00 PM MT, FS1

Colorado State

Saturday, September 2 – vs. Washington State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 16 – at Colorado, 8:00 PM MT, ESPN
Saturday, September 23 – at Middle Tennessee State, 5:00 PM MT, ESPN networks
Saturday, September 30 – vs. Utah Tech
Saturday, October 7 – at Utah State
Saturday, October 14 – vs. Boise State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, October 21 – at UNLV
Saturday, October 28 – vs. Air Force, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, November 3 – at Wyoming, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 11 – vs. San Diego State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 18 – vs. Nevada
Saturday, November 25 – at Hawaii

Fresno State

Saturday, September 2 – at Purdue, 9:00 AM PT, Big Ten Network
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Eastern Washington
Saturday, September 16 – at Arizona State, 7:30 PM PT, FS1
Saturday, September 23 – vs. Kent State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 30 – vs. Nevada, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, October 7 – at Wyoming, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Friday, October 13 – at Utah State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 28 – vs. UNLV, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 4 – vs. Boise State, 7:00 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 11 – at San Jose State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 18 – vs. New Mexico, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 25 – at San Diego State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks

Hawaii

Saturday, August 26 – at Vanderbilt, 1:00 PM HT, SEC Network
Friday, September 1 – vs. Stanford, 5:00 PM HT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Albany
Saturday, September 16 – at Oregon, 2:00 PM HT, Pac-12 Network
Saturday, September 23 – vs. New Mexico State
Saturday, September 30 – at UNLV
Saturday, October 14 – vs. San Diego State, 5:00 PM HT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 21 – at New Mexico
Saturday, October 28 – vs. San Jose State
Saturday, November 4 – at Nevada
Saturday, November 11 – vs. Air Force
Saturday, November 18 – at Wyoming
Saturday, November 25 – vs. Colorado State

Nevada

Saturday, September 2 – at USC, 3:30 PM PT, Pac-12 Network
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Idaho
Saturday, September 16 – vs. Kansas, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 23 – at Texas State
Saturday, September 30 – at Fresno State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, October 14 – vs. UNLV
Saturday, October 21 – at San Diego State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, October 28 – vs. New Mexico, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 4 – vs. Hawaii
Saturday, November 11 – at Utah State
Saturday, November 18 – at Colorado State
Saturday, November 25 – vs. Wyoming, 6:00 PM PT, CBSSN

New Mexico

Saturday, September 2 – at Texas A&M, 5:00 PM MT, ESPN
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Tennessee Tech
Saturday, September 16 – vs. New Mexico State
Saturday, September 23 – at Massachusetts
Saturday, September 30 – at Wyoming
Saturday, October 14 – vs. San Jose State
Saturday, October 21 – vs. Hawaii
Saturday, October 28 – at Nevada, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 4 – vs. UNLV
Saturday, November 11 – at Boise State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 18 – at Fresno State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Friday, November 24 – vs. Utah State, 1:30 PM MT, CBSSN

San Diego State

Saturday, August 26 – vs. Ohio, 4:00 PM PT, FS1
Saturday, September 2 – vs. Idaho State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 9 – vs. UCLA, 4:30 PM PT, CBS
Saturday, September 16 – at Oregon State, 12:30 PM, FS1
Friday, September 22 – vs. Boise State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 30 – at Air Force, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 14 – at Hawaii, 5:00 PM HT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 21 – vs. Nevada, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 4 – vs. Utah State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 11 – at Colorado State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 18 – at San Jose State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 25 – vs. Fresno State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks

San Jose State

Saturday, August 26 – at USC, 5:00 PM PT, Pac-12 Network
Sunday, September 3 – vs. Oregon State, 12:30 PM PT, CBS
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Cal Poly
Saturday, September 16 – at Toledo, 4:00 PM PT, ESPN+
Friday, September 22 – vs. Air Force, 7:30 PM PT, FS1
Saturday, October 7 – at Boise State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 14 – at New Mexico
Saturday, October 21 – vs. Utah State, 4:00 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 28 – at Hawaii
Saturday, November 11 – vs. Fresno State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 18 – vs. San Diego State, 7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 25 – at UNLV

UNLV

Saturday, September 2 – vs. Bryant
Saturday, September 9 – at Michigan, 12:30 PM PT, CBS
Saturday, September 16 – vs. Vanderbilt, 4:00 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 23 – at UTEP, Kickoff TBD, ESPN networks
Saturday, September 30 – vs. Hawaii
Saturday, October 14 – at Nevada
Saturday, October 21 – vs. Colorado State
Saturday, October 28 – at Fresno State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 4 – at New Mexico
Friday, November 10 – vs. Wyoming, 7:45 PM PT, FS1
Saturday, November 18 – at Air Force, 1:30 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 25 – vs. San Jose State

Utah State

Saturday, September 2 – at Iowa
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Idaho State
Saturday, September 16 – at Air Force, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 23 – vs. James Madison
Saturday, September 30 – at UConn
Saturday, October 7 – vs. Colorado State
Friday, October 13 – vs. Fresno State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 21 – at San Jose State, 4:00 PM PT, CBSSN
Saturday, November 4 – at San Diego State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, November 11 – vs. Nevada
Saturday, November 18 – vs. Boise State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, November 24 – at New Mexico, 1:30 PM MT, CBSSN

Wyoming

Saturday, September 2 – vs. Texas Tech, 5:30 PM MT, CBS
Saturday, September 9 – vs. Portland State
Saturday, September 16 – at Texas, 6:00 PM MT, Longhorn Network
Saturday, September 23 – vs. Appalachian State, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, September 30 – vs. New Mexico
Saturday, October 7 – vs. Fresno State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Saturday, October 14 – at Air Force, 5:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Saturday, October 28 – at Boise State, Kickoff TBD, Fox networks
Friday, November 3 – vs. Colorado State, 6:00 PM MT, CBSSN
Friday, November 10 – at UNLV, 7:45 PM PT, FS1
Saturday, November 18 – vs. Hawaii
Saturday, November 25 – at Nevada, 6:00 PM PT, CBSSN

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Mountain West Football: Ranking The 2023 Non-Conference Games, #49 to #40

The Mountain West has 49 non-conference games on the collective schedule this fall. We rank them all, beginning at the bottom of the list.

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Mountain West Football: Ranking The 2023 Non-Conference Games, #49 to #40

The Mountain West has 49 non-conference games on the collective schedule this fall. We rank them all, beginning at the bottom of the list.

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Not a ton of flash, but there are interesting angles.

49. Robert Morris vs. Air Force

Why the game might be a drag: Even though the Falcons will need to prove they can replace Haaziq Daniels, Brad Roberts, and others, it’s likely they’ll still have a huge talent advantage over a Colonials team which was one of four FCS teams to finish the 2022 season with zero wins. It could be a laugher, but the home team could tap into its depth chart to get a number of players some reps.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: RMU may not have been quite as abysmal as their record from last year suggests. They had a pair of one-score losses in the first half of 2022, return an all-conference linebacker in the middle of their defense, and also restocked the roster with a number of transfer portal arrivals from the FBS ranks who could spur a turnaround.

One player worth tuning in for: LB Joe Casale

 

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48. Utah Tech vs. Colorado State

Why the game might be a drag: Rams fans may not consider this a drag, but Utah Tech definitely isn’t Sacramento State. The Trailblazers had a down year in 2022 and lost nearly all of their all-WAC players to the transfer portal this offseason (including defensive back Tyrell Grayson, who transferred to… CSU). It could be an uphill climb to competitiveness, which could mean Clay Millen and company will have a field day.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: After last season’s lopsided loss to a FCS opponent, the Colorado State faithful may not be inclined to take any foe for granted. Given that UTU also returns a pair of all-conference defenders, they could be pesky if the Rams haven’t fully resolved their offensive line woes from last season.

One player worth tuning in for: LB Will Leota

47. Bryant vs. UNLV

Why the game might be a drag: The Bulldogs backslid last season after reaching seven wins in 2021, allowing at least 35 points in seven different contests. That could be very good news for a Rebels offense that looks fully stocked and will be plenty motivated to start the year on a high note.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: Bryant might possess a pretty potent offense. Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus has thrown 47 touchdowns in his two years as the team’s starter while Anthony Frederick and Ethan Gettman were named FCS All-Americans last year. The Bulldogs took also Florida International to overtime, one of five losses by eight or fewer points, and the Eastern Washington debacle isn’t so far in the past that the Rebels will want to look past Bryant.

One player worth tuning in for: WR/KR Anthony Frederick

46. Tennessee Tech vs. New Mexico

Why the game might be a drag: The Golden Eagles weren’t really competitive against the best teams they faced last year, going 0-5 against Kansas and a quartet of ranked FCS teams. Granted, the Lobos aren’t the Jayhawks and have plenty to prove themselves, but they dispatched Maine with relative ease in 2022 and should be in position to do the same with TTU.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: If UNM actually struggles again, the flipside of Tennessee Tech’s 2022 fortunes is that they essentially broke even against everyone else on their schedule, finishing the season with five straight games decided by eight or fewer points and going 3-2 in that stretch.

One player worth tuning in for: LB Jacquez McGowan

45. Albany vs. Hawaii

Why the game might be a drag: After making the FCS playoffs back in 2019, Albany hasn’t been able to recapture that form and gave up over 33 points per game last season. Hawaii should also be improved in its second season under Timmy Chang, so last year’s struggles against Duquesne may truly be a thing of the past.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: The Great Danes have one of the better young quarterbacks in the FCS and will certainly put in the work to rebound from the 1-5 record they had in games decided by eight or fewer points. If anything, this game could evolve into a late-night shootout on the islands.

One player worth tuning in for: QB Reese Poffenbarger

44. Sam Houston State vs. Air Force

Why the game might be a drag: The Bearkats enter the FBS ranks coming off of a 5-4 campaign, which might not sound too bad until you realize they won the FCS national championship game just two years earlier. Their offense was not nearly as potent as it had been during its prior run of success, which could be bad news against a Falcons defense that figures to be stingy.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: You can’t really count out a team making the move from FCS to FBS. James Madison hit the ground running last year while Liberty, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State have all set high bars for themselves. What’s to say SHSU couldn’t do the same by defending its home turf against the Falcons?

One player worth tuning in for: LB Kavian Gaither

43. New Mexico State vs. Hawaii

Why the game might be a drag: These two teams met in Las Cruces last season and the Aggies blew out the Warriors, building a 25-point halftime lead before cruising to a 45-26 victory. On paper, NMSU also figures to be the better team, so there’s a chance not much will have changed.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: The Aggies do have to replace a ton of talent on defense with Chris Ojoh, Lazarus Williams, Trevor Brohard, and others all gone, meaning that Hawaii’s run-and-shoot could flip the script on last year’s tilt if New Mexico State isn’t prepared.

One player worth tuning in for: QB Diego Pavia

42. Cal Poly vs. San Jose State

Why the game might be a drag: The Beau Baldwin era never really got off the ground in San Luis Obispo and now the Mustangs are starting over without their top offensive contributor from a year ago. Oh, and they also finished dead last among FCS teams in yards per play allowed in 2022, a fact about which the Spartans are surely licking their chops.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: One thing that Poly may still have in their favor is a passing game that averaged a respectable 7.4 yards per attempt last season and returns starting quarterback Spencer Brasch. If San Jose State struggles to generate a pass rush without Viliami Fehoko and Cade Hall, the Mustangs could definitely hang around.

One player worth tuning in for: LB David Meyer

 

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41. Idaho State vs. San Diego State

Why the game might be a drag: The matchup between these two teams last year was a laugher and things didn’t really get much better for the Bengals from there, finishing 2022 with just one victory. With a new head coach in once again and a roster on hand which includes just six seniors, why wouldn’t it be more of the same this September?

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: Despite losing star linebacker Charles Ike, ISU might have the makings of a solid defense on its hands. If the Aztecs fall into some of the offensive scuffles that plagued them early last season, this game could be much more competitive than expected.

One player worth tuning in for: RB Raiden Hunter

40. Portland State vs. Wyoming

Why the game might be a drag: While PSU will get a couple of key pieces back from injury, the Viks will have to replace stars on both sides of the ball while identifying answers on a defense that allowed a whopping 6.7 yards per play in 2022. The Pokes could take advantage of that weakness and get Laradise rocking in a hurry.

Why the game might be more interesting than you think: The Viks almost knocked off another Mountain West team, San Jose State, in their season opener last year. They also threw a scare into Hawaii in 2021 and will be battle-tested after a road trip to Oregon which opens their 2023 campaign.

One player worth tuning in for: QB Dante Chachere

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Mountain West Football: San Jose State Gains, New Mexico Drops In Updated 2023 Returning Production Rankings

With significant roster shuffling over the last few months, what does the Mountain West look like now in terms of returning production?

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Mountain West Football: San Jose State Gains, New Mexico Drops In Updated 2023 Returning Production Rankings

With significant roster shuffling over the last few months, what does the Mountain West look like now in terms of returning production?

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A decline overall, but some have been hit harder than others.

To go along with the updated SP+ rankings released this morning, ESPN’s Bill Connelly also provided an update on how teams are faring in terms of returning production ahead of the 2023 college football season.

Back in February, one Mountain West team stood head and shoulders above the rest of the conference and while that advantage still holds for the most part, a few other teams saw significant bumps in what they bring back thanks to updated rosters while it became evident in some other places just how significant a toll the transfer portal has taken.

How is the percentage measured? According to Connelly, it considers the following three questions: “How good has your team been recently? How well has it recruited? And perhaps most importantly, who returns from last year’s roster?” Additionally, quarterback production tends to weigh the heaviest of any individual position on offense, accounting for more than one-quarter of production, while defensive backs account for nearly half of the overall figure on defense.

  • 127. Utah State — 41% (41% offense, 42% defense, -13% RP, -24 spots)
  • 109. New Mexico — 53% (78% offense, 28% defense, -11% RP, -48 spots)
  • 91. Fresno State — 57% (50% offense, 64% defense, -2% RP, -7 spots)
  • 83. Hawaii — 58% (53% offense, 63% defense, +11% RP, +39 spots)
  • 81. Air Force — 58% (47% offense, 70% defense, +1% RP, +5 spots)
  • 72. Nevada — 59% (52% offense, 66% defense, +6% RP, +36 spots)
  • 66. San Diego State — 61% (62% offense, 59% defense, +5% RP, +31 spots)
  • 63. Colorado State — 61% (61% offense, 62% defense, -3% RP, -1 spot)
  • 59. Boise State — 62% (69% offense, 56% defense, -5% RP, -10 spots)
  • 54. UNLV — 64% (60% offense, 67% defense, -5% RP, -12 spots)
  • 35. San Jose State — 69% (86% offense, 52% defense, +16% RP, +76 spots)
  • 13. Wyoming — 74% (64% offense, 84% defense, -8% overall RP, -9 spots)

Just as in the winter, Wyoming still leads the way despite a few more departures from the program, but they have some company in the top 40 this time around thanks to San Jose State. They were one of two teams in the Mountain West to see a double-digit increase in overall returning production and made the biggest overall jump anywhere in the conference as a result.

The other team to improve by at least ten percent? That would be Hawaii, which had the lowest RP figure of any Mountain West team back in February but is now considerably closer to the middle, which may be a good sign for the team’s odds of defying prognosticators for the second straight year under Timmy Chang.

The only other teams to get a big boost in returning production are Nevada, thanks largely to a Wolf Pack defense that saw a bump from 54% to 66%, and San Diego State, which saw its defensive production percentage increase from 40% to 59%.

On the whole, however, it may not be surprising to see that there have been corresponding dips elsewhere, none more pronounced than those of New Mexico and Utah State. Both teams have been ravaged by the transfer portal, particularly on defense: The Lobos now return the second-lowest percentage of defensive production in the FBS, ahead of only Western Michigan, while the Aggies’ percentage fell from 66% to 42% after the departures of AJ Vongphachanh, Byron Vaughns, Daniel Grzesiak, and others.

It could be worse, though: As a conference, the Mountain West ranks eighth among the ten FBS conferences, but it is ahead of both the retooled American and the Sun Belt in terms of aggregate returning production at 59.8%.

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Mountain West Football: Wyoming Rises, Nevada Drops In Updated 2023 SP+ Projections

The first update to Bill Connelly’s efficiency metric shuffles the outlook for a number of Mountain West football teams this fall.

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Mountain West Football: Wyoming Rises, Nevada Drops In Updated 2023 SP+ Projections

The first update to Bill Connelly’s efficiency metric shuffles the outlook for a number of Mountain West football teams this fall.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

The conference still has some improvements to make.

After revealing the first set of preseason SP+ rankings back in February, ESPN’s Bill Connelly updated those projections this morning to account for roster updates.

SP+, which measures efficiency on both sides of the ball (success rate, explosiveness, and more) and is adjusted for tempo and quality of opponents, reflects returning production, overall recruiting, and recent history into its ratings. What has changed in the last few months across the Mountain West?

  • 132. New Mexico — #129 offense, #107 defense (no change from February)
  • 124. Hawaii — #114 offense, #119 defense (+7)
  • 118. Colorado State — #127 offense, #77 defense (+1)
  • 116. Utah State — #111 offense, #110 defense (+2)
  • 113. Nevada — #119 offense, #95 defense (-6)
  • 108. UNLV — #98 offense, #109 defense (+1)
  • 97. San Jose State — #97 offense, #93 defense (+6)
  • 92. Wyoming — #121 offense, #62 defense (+9)
  • 85. San Diego State — #110 offense, #56 defense (-5)
  • 81. Air Force — #122 offense, #33 defense (-4)
  • 68. Fresno State — #85 offense, #58 defense (-1)
  • 62. Boise State — #70 offense, #57 defense (+6)

As you can tell, things are still not ideal overall but they are definitely different. At the top of the projections, Boise State leap-frogged defending champion Fresno State thanks to a modestly improved outlook on defense, climbing six spots from 63rd to 57th. The gap between the Broncos and Bulldogs and the next two teams, Air Force and San Diego State, also got a little wider because of slight downgrades to offensive projections for both the Falcons and Aztecs.

The most interesting shakeups are in the middle of the pack. San Jose State enjoyed a bump in its projection at this juncture for the second straight year and Wyoming, after suffering a dip in last year’s first update, made the biggest climb of any team in the Mountain West with a more optimistic projection on defense (68th to 62nd). This may provide a glimpse at the teams SP+ expects to compete for a bowl bid, at the very least.

Farther down the projections, Hawaii got a bit of separation from the FBS cellar with a positive bump on both sides of the ball, an increase of 11 spots on offense and eight on defense. Conversely, Nevada slid behind rival UNLV after plummeting nine spots on offense, suggesting that a quicker resolution to some of last year’s problems, namely at quarterback, will be the key to success.

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Mountain West Football: 2023 Post-Spring Practice Overall Rankings

After examining each offensive and defensive unit, which Mountain West teams look strongest overall with spring practice in the books?

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Mountain West Football: 2023 Post-Spring Practice Overall Rankings

After examining each offensive and defensive unit, which Mountain West teams look strongest overall with spring practice in the books?

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

There’s a clear #1 and some surprises, as well.

Overall Depth Rankings

12 to 10 | 9 to 7 | 6 to 4 | 3 to 1

POSITIONAL DEPTH RANKINGS

Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver/Tight End | Offensive Line | Defensive Line | Linebacker | Cornerback/Safety | Kicker/Punter

12. Hawaii

Oct 22, 2022; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Hawaii Warriors quarterback Brayden Schager (13) runs for a gain in the first quarter at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Position depth ranking: QB: 8th | RB: 10th | WR/TE: 9th | OL: 11th | DL: 12th | LB: 11th | CB/S: 12th | K/P: 9th

What the ranking means: The Warriors did well to win three games in 2022, but it appears there’s still plenty of work to be done. The experience they benefitted from along the offensive line has evaporated, which could make installing the run-and-shoot on offense a challenge, while a more seasoned defense will need to prove it can hold on to the gains made late last season while shoring up pass-rushing concerns.

Why the ranking could be deceptive: If Hawaii overperformed in a clear “Year Zero” situation under head coach Timmy Chang, why couldn’t they do it again? The quarterback situation is much more stable than it was at this time last year and there are enough interesting pieces elsewhere on offense to think the new system could cause headaches for opponents, after all. If anything, they might threaten to even out the 1-4 record they had in games decided by eight or fewer points.

The biggest question heading into fall: How much more disruptive can the defensive front be after seeing their overall stuff rate fall from 18% (62nd in FBS) in 2021 to 15.2% (100th) last season?

A reason for optimism: While most of the attention will be focused on the passing game, Hawaii could have the most explosive running back anywhere in the Mountain West with Tylan Hines and looks to have a good deal of speed in the backfield at Brayden Schager’s side.

A name worth remembering: DL Ezra Emaivalo

11. New Mexico

Nov 12, 2022; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; New Mexico Lobos running back Christian Washington (22) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Position depth ranking: QB: 10th | RB: 10th | WR/TE: 11th | OL: 12th | DL: 10th | LB: 7th | CB/S: 8th | K/P: 6th

What the ranking means: After last year’s optimism fell through the floor, the Lobos have more to prove in making the case they’ll turn a corner than other teams projected to finish in the bottom half of the Mountain West standings. Quarterback and offensive line are the biggest question marks, but New Mexico is also starting over at safety and must replace arguably their best linebacker, as well.

Why the ranking could be deceptive: Dylan Hopkins’ arrival from UAB gives UNM instant credibility at quarterback, but the team also used the transfer portal to shore up just about everywhere else on offense for new coordinator Bryant Vincent. Rocky Long’s departure for Syracuse stings, of course, but Troy Reffett has his own track record of success and, if injury luck is on their side, the Lobos defense could once again be an overall strength.

The biggest question heading into fall: If Hopkins can be penciled in as QB1, how well can the offense come together around him to help the Lobos avoid being dead last in the country by offensive SP+ and yards per play again?

A reason for optimism: Even in spite of losing Cody Moon to a Mountain West rival, the linebacker unit could be a pretty good one if they can avoid health concerns.

A name worth remembering: LB Dmitri Johnson

10. Nevada

Nevada’s Dalevon Campbell makes a catch while taking on Incarnate Word at Mackay Stadium in Reno on Sept. 10, 2022.

Position depth ranking: QB: 9th | RB: 10th | WR/TE: 9th | OL: 11th | DL: 10th | LB: 7th | CB/S: 11th | K/P: 3rd

What the ranking means: After opening last season with a bit of promise, the Wolf Pack took a lot of lumps in Ken Wilson’s first year at the helm and it might take another year before his recruiting efforts and transfer portal shopping start bearing fruit.

Why the ranking could be deceptive: Nevada might have to replace Dom Peterson and a trio of defensive backs, but an interesting young core remains on that side of the ball. The Wolf Pack unearthed some underrated performances from the likes of Drue Watts and Dalevon Campbell in 2022, so why couldn’t they do it again?

The biggest question heading into fall: How long will it take the quarterback competition between Shane Illingworth and Brendon Lewis to sort itself out this time?

A reason for optimism: Between Watts, Naki Mateialona, and Eli’jah Winston, the Wolf Pack are pretty well sorted out at linebacker and could remain reasonably stout against the run as a result.

A name worth remembering: DB Emany Johnson

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Mountain West Football: 2023 Post-Spring Practice Quarterback Rankings

Which Mountain West teams are in the best shape at college football’s most important position after spring practice?

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Mountain West Football: 2023 Post-Spring Practice Quarterback Rankings

Which Mountain West teams are in the best shape at college football’s most important position after spring practice?

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Some situations under center are still works in progress.

POSITIONAL DEPTH RANKINGS

Overall | Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver/Tight End | Offensive Line | Defensive Line | Linebacker | Cornerback/Safety | Kicker/Punter

Note: Italics denote projected starters.

12. Air Force

High ranking in group: 7th | Low ranking in group: 12th

Projected depth: Jensen Jones, Ben Brittain, Zac Larrier

In terms of how it could impact the race to the top of the Mountain West, the competition to replace Haaziq Daniels might be the single-most important one in the conference. None among Jones, Brittain, or Larrier were able to create a ton of separation, but that may not be a bad thing at this juncture.

Jones and Brittain served as Daniels’s backups in 2022 and both saw the field in limited stints — Jones even scored twice in mop-up duty — while Larrier’s track star speed could see him deployed in a number of ways. This could even play itself out on the field in August, but we’d caution against underestimating them too much.

11. Wyoming

High ranking: 7th | Low ranking: 12th

Projected depth: Andrew Peasley, Jayden Clemons, Evan Svoboda

This ranking seems to be a reaction to years of underperformance. 2022 was no exception in that regard since the Cowboys finished 11th in the Mountain West with a 51.3% team completion rate and ninth with 5.7 yards per attempt. That they also threw more interceptions than touchdown is also problematic, so while it’s important to note Peasley missed time with injury, he didn’t always cover himself in glory when he was on the field, completing 60% of his throws just once in his last eight games.

Long story short, we’ll believe in the Wyoming passing game when we finally see it.

10. New Mexico

High ranking: 4th | Low ranking: 12th

Projected depth: Dylan Hopkins, DC Tabscott, Devon Dampier, Justin Holaday

Injuries and ineffectiveness made this quarterback situation one of the worst, if not the worst, in all of college football last season, but new offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent brought Hopkins with him from UAB, giving the Lobos arguably their best quarterback in a decade. The Blazers’ loss is New Mexico’s gain.

While he has the inside track to the job, Tabscott and Dampier should push Hopkins for the QB1 role. The former didn’t see the field at Appalachian State but is a former three-star recruit while the latter won the Ed Doherty Award, Arizona high school football’s Heisman, last year and flashed his dual-threat capabilities here and there in the spring. Obviously, the hope will be less turnover overall at the position, but on paper the Lobos look much improved here and there is literally nowhere to go but up.

9. Nevada

High ranking: 5th | Low ranking: 11th

Projected depth: Shane Illingworth, Brendon Lewis, AJ Bianco

Replacing Carson Strong was always going to be a tough task, but the Wolf Pack’s inability to settle on a QB1 may have undermined their fortunes last year: The team’s completion rate dropped by nearly 15% and they averaged over two fewer yards per attempt while managing just seven passing touchdowns against eight interceptions.

Illingworth, the incumbent this time around, may have been done a disservice when he was saddled with a 9.6% drop rate by his receivers. His 71.2% adjusted completion rate was actually fifth among Mountain West quarterbacks in 2022, though he’ll have to fend off a challenge from Lewis, cast out by the Deion Sanders regime at Colorado after serving as the Buffaloes’ starter for most of 2021. Bianco and incoming recruit Jax Leatherwood give the coaching staff younger options to consider, as well, but it’ll be crucial for someone to win this job with authority in the fall.

8. Hawaii

High ranking: 4th | Low ranking: 12th

Projected depth: Brayden Schager, Joey Yellen, Jake Farrell

It took a while for Schager to claim the starting job for good last season, but there are reasons to think Timmy Chang made the right choice despite some modest numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, only Chevan Cordeiro and Clay Millen dealt with more total pressures and only Haaziq Daniels had a higher drop rate than Schager’s 14%. His 67.6% adjusted completion rate would’ve put him right behind Taylen Green, so a full year in the run-and-shoot could mean big things are ahead.

7. San Diego State

High ranking: 4th | Low ranking: 8th

Depth chart: Jalen Mayden, Kyle Crum, Liu Aumavae

Mayden’s ascension to the starting job gave the Aztecs offense a badly-needed shot in the arm last season. He was the first San Diego State quarterback since Ryan Lindley, his new offensive coordinator, to lead the Mountain West in yards per attempt, though improving his decision making should be a point of emphasis headed into 2023. Mayden also threw at least one interception in each of his last six starts and finished the year with a 4.2% INT rate.

Crum and Aumavae also got their feet wet last year, though it was in the worst possible circumstances against very good Utah and Boise State defenses. Overall, there’s room for improvement here and healthy expectations that SDSU will rise to meet them.

6. UNLV

High ranking: 3rd | Low ranking: 10th

Projected depth: Doug Brumfield, Cameron Friel, Jayden Maiava

Unlike a lot of other teams in the Mountain West, the main question facing the Rebels at quarterback is one of health. There’s no doubt that Brumfield is one of the conference’s most exciting playmakers when he’s on the field, but he had a season-ending injury in 2021 and missed two games in 2022. In his absence, UNLV’s offense struggled against two very good opponents, Air Force and Notre Dame, so keeping him on his feet is likely the team’s top priority.

Should the injury bug strike again, though, Friel remains as perhaps the top backup in the conference. The former Mountain West freshman of the year took better care of the football in his limited stints with only one interception in 49 attempts and improved his yards per attempt average.

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