Offenses
1.
BYU
While BYU technically uses the spread offense and
certainly has the ability to run the ball with Curtis Brown and
an NFL-sized offensive line, this is a passing attack. John Beck
is mobile, but he's a bomber with a good array of weapons to
work with. Brown is a fantastic receiver, and tight end Jonny
Harline is one of the nation's best. Now the wide receivers have
to step up with the loss of deep threat Todd Watkins. This is an
offense that can score in bunches, but it can't bog down like it
did at times. With more experience in the system, the attack
should be more consistent.
2. TCU
3. Utah
4. San Diego State
5. New Mexico
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. UNLV
9. Air Force
1.
Utah
There's no wrong answer here. Brian Johnson might be the
best player in the Mountain West when he's 100% healthy, but he
still has to prove that he can be the same all-around player
after coming off a knee injury. Brett Ratliff was tremendous in
relief duty late last season and is more than good enough lead
the Utes to the conference title. Oklahoma transfer Tommy Grady
provides a big passing option, and Kevin Dunn is a nice prospect
to work on for the future.
2. BYU
3. TCU
4. San Diego State
5. New Mexico
6. Air Force
7. Wyoming
8. UNLV
9. Colorado State
1.
TCU
There are three tremendous backs who could
all see starting time at some point. Lonta Hobbs is the biggest
of the three options and the most productive, but he has to stay
healthy to get the number one job. Robert Merrill has been a
solid back for the last few seasons and can carry the workload
when needed. Aaron Brown is special when he gets the chance to
get in a groove. The three should combine for about 2,000 yards
if everything works right. William Jackson is a solid blocking
back.
2. San Diego State
3. BYU
4. Wyoming
5. Colorado State
6. UNLV
7. New Mexico
8. Air Force
9. Utah
1.
Utah
The Utes will be fine despite losing top two
targets Travis LaTendresse and John Madsen. A variety of
injuries to the receiving corps last season allowed several
young players get their feet wet, and it'll pay off with an
exciting group forming around Brian Hernandez. Sophomores Brent
Casteel and Marquis Wilson are fast playmakers who'll each get
the ball in their hands in a variety of ways, while Derrek
Richards brings even more speed. The depth is lacking in a huge
way; there will be problems if injuries strike like they did
last season.
2. BYU
3. TCU
4. Colorado State
5. UNLV
6. Wyoming
7. San Diego State
8. Air Force
1.
BYU
While there's little in the way of developed depth and
the starting five loses center Lance Reynolds and guard Brian
Sanders, this should be the Mountain West's best line. Tackle
Jake Kuresa is one of the league's best and a great anchor to
run the offense behind, while the left side should grow into a
strength with 345-pound guard Dallas Reynolds on the verge of
really big things. Consistency will be the key early on; the
starting five stayed healthy playing every game together but one
last year.
2. Utah
3. New Mexico
4. Air Force
5. TCU
6. Colorado State
7. Wyoming
8. San Diego State
9. UNLV
1.
TCU
Seven starters return to the Mountain West's best defense after
forcing a nation-leading 40 turnovers and holding teams to 108
rushing yards per game. Take away the wild 51-50 overtime
shootout with BYU and the Horned Frog defense allowed a mere
15.7 points per game. The defensive line should be unreal when
it comes to getting into the backfield thanks to the return of
ends Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz, but there will be early concern
over the new tackles. Cornerback is a worry for the secondary
needing seniors Vernon Russell and Mike Salvage to shine right
away. Things are rock-solid up the middle with a great linebacking corps and excellent safeties.
2. Utah
3. San Diego State
4. Colorado State
5. BYU
6. New Mexico
7. Wyoming
8. Air Force
9. UNLV
1.
TCU
Losing top tackles Zarnell Fitch and Jared Kesler hurts a
little bit, but there's size returning in Jarracea Williams, Lorenzo
Jones and Cody Moore to give hope that the situation inside is fine.
Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz form one of the nation's best 1-2 pass
rushing tandems, and there's experience behind them with Jamison Newby
strong enough to start. Getting to the quarterback won't be a problem,
so the only question is if the tackles can hold up inside.
2. Utah
3. BYU
4. Colorado State
5. New Mexico
6. San Diego State
7. Wyoming
8. Air Force
9. UNLV
1.
TCU
All the key parts return to a linebacking corps that'll
feature speed and two tremendous up-and-coming sophomores. Jason
Phillips and Robert Henson finished 1-2 in tackles last year and should
be the team's leaders once again. Phillips played like a veteran in the
middle, while Henson tore up offense despite only getting two starts.
David Hawthorne can start at either spot if needed, while LSU transfer
Darius Ingram is a promising option on the strongside.
2. Utah
3. BYU
4. New Mexico
5. San Diego State
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. UNLV
9. Air Force
1.
San Diego State
The Aztec secondary was excellent at times last season
finishing 22nd in the nation in pass efficiency defense and second in
the Mountain West in pass defense. Three starters return including the
ultra-productive corner combination of Terrell Maze and Donny Baker. The
one big loss is at one of the safety spots with Marcus Demps to be
replaced by the combination of Brett Sturm and T.J. McKay. The big
problem is with experience at backup corner, but the redshirt freshmen
are speedy.
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. Colorado State
5. UNLV
6. New Mexico
7. Wyoming
8. BYU
9. Air Force
1. TCU
Chris Manfredini should be an All-Mountain West
placekicker and punter Brian Cortney should be reliable, and now the
hope is for more range from the entire kicking game. Losing All-America
kick returner Cory Rodgers is a killer after he averaged 30.3 yards on
kickoff returns and 15.3 yards per punt returns. Michael DePriest will
be the main kickoff returner and will join Donald Massey to try out
returning punts. The coverage units were amazing last year and should be
rock solid again.
2. Colorado State
3. San Diego State
4. UNLV
5. BYU
6. Wyoming
7. Utah
8. New Mexico
9. Air Force
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