2012 NCAAF Conference Previews Part 5

-Mountain West Conference-

Predicted Finish

1)Boise St
     The Broncos lose all-time winningest QB Kellen Moore and are pretty inexperienced but I don't see Coach Peterson letting his team drop off too much. I think this will be a well-coached top 25 team.
2)Nevada
    They return QB Nick Fajardo and an O-Line that helped the Wolfpack finish 6th in total offense last year. If the defense is decent, this team will be at the top.
3)Fresno St
    They play the top two teams on the road and transition with a new coach but the return of QB Derek Carr and RB Robbie Rouse are big positives. In 2011, Carr threw for 3500 yds and 26 Td while Rouse ran for 1549 yards on his way to 13 Tds.
4)Wyoming
     While it may not seem so in the 4th spot, I really like this team. They return much of last years' 8-5 team and that includes QB Brett Smith. The Cowboys QB threw for 2600 yds and 20 Td and rushed for 10 more Tds gaining 700yds on the ground.
5)San Diego St
     This team loses the big guns at QB and RB but i think they will be competitive and have a chance to surprise if transfer QB Ryan Katz plays to his potential. Good options at WR should help with returner Colin Lockett and USC transfer Bryce Butler heading that position while Gavin Escobar leads at TE.
6)Air Force
7)Colorado St
8)Hawaii
9)UNLV
10)New Mexico

-Player of the Year-
  Rb, Robbie Rouse, Fresno St

-Best Conference Games-

Wyoming @ Nevada, Oct 6th
Fresno St @ Boise St, Oct 13th
Air Force @ SDSU, Nov 10th
Boise St @ Nevada, Dec 1st

NCAA Football Conference Previews Part 3

-Mountain West Conference-

Predicted Finish

1.TCU

  Andy Dalton along with a solid defense, who will have to fill some holes,  should make the horned frogs conference champs. 

2.Utah

  Relying on the run game will be key for the Utes to finish in the top two. The backfield includes veteran RB Matt Asiata and RB Eddie Wide and the QB position should be solid with either Jordan Wynn or Terrance Cain running the show.

3.BYU

  Offense loses alot of weapons at key positions but i don't see them falling any lower than 3rd in this conference. The defense will have to carry this team early on.

4.San Diego St

  Should be interesting to see the progression of the Aztecs going into Brady Hoke's second year in San Diego. QB Ryan Lindley should put up big numbers as he throws to Vincent Brown. Having said that, the running game needs to step up to help this team take a step in the right direction, as does the defensive secondary.

5.Air Force

 The lack of any experience at offensive line really does not bode well for this team.

6.Wyoming

  I can easily see the Cowboys moving higher than the 6th position with a promising QB and Alvester Alexander leading the way at running back but for now until the defense can become better i will leave them here.

7. New Mexico

  Promising at the skill positions on offense that can produce depending on how the line performs. There are a few pieces on defense to work with but the secondary must get better.

8.Colorado St

9.Unlv

Player of the Year

Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

Really wanted to pick a Utah running back but Dalton should put up big numbers beating up on Mountain West opponents and his team will be a top 25 team all year.

Must see games

Oregon St vs. TCU, Sept 4th

San Diego St @ Wyoming, Oct 30th

TCU @ Utah, Nov 6th