While the battle for No. 1 heats up around the nation, any Mountain West Conference team would be more than content to end the regular season No. 12 in the BCS standings.
Under the revised formula with a fifth BCS game, this year slated for the Fiesta Bowl, which later hosts the national championship, a No. 12 finish or better would get an MWC team to a big bowl payoff.
Top candidates: defending champion Texas Christian, returning much of the defense that took the league by storm a year ago; a Utah team with three quarterbacks who could start almost anywhere; and Brigham Young, with quarterback John Beck putting up numbers reminiscent of the Cougars’ dynasty of old.
After the top three, only Colorado State and New Mexico have established perennial winners (except CSU in 2004) over the past several years. Dark horses await. New coach Chuck Long has lit a fire under San Diego State. UNLV, with Southern California transfer quarterback Rocky Hinds and a year to absorb coach Mike Sanford’s system, could surprise people. Air Force is always dangerous with a veteran quarterback such as junior Shaun Carney. Although Wyoming has negligible experience at quarterback, coach Joe Glenn has taken the program too far to revert to last place.
If last season was the year of the wide receiver, look for running back to be the most hotly contest position on the all-conference team. Eight of the top 10 rushers from a year ago return, led by CSU’s Kyle Bell, but TCU, BYU and San Diego State are deep at the position.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler’s predicted order of finish:
UTAH UTES
Coach: Kyle Whittingham, second year, 7-5. 2005 record: 7-5, 4-4 MWC, tied for fourth
What’s new: Brett Ratliff, who took over at QB for the last two games last season, goes in as the starter but Oklahoma transfer Tommy Grady will push him all the way.
What to look for: Potential QB controversies, schedule and talent to return to 2004 level.
Meisler predicts: 11-1.
TCU HORNED FROGS
Coach: Gary Patterson, sixth year, 43-18. 2005 record: 11-1, 8-0 MWC, first
What’s new: Entire offensive line.
What to look for: Horned Frogs will wear a target this season. Deep running back corps and two premier DEs, Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake, make for another contender.
Meisler predicts: 9-3
BYU COUGARS
Coach: Bronco Mendenhall, second year, 6-6. 2005 record: 6-6, 5-3 MWC, tied for second
What’s new: Deepest running game in years.
What to look for: Most explosive offense since 2001, but question marks remain on defense.
Meisler predicts: 9-3
CSU RAMS
For full capsule on CSU, see
page 4J.
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS
Coach: Chuck Long, first year. 2005 record: 5-7, 4-4 MWC, tied for fourth
What’s new: Only first-year coach in MWC looks to ignite perennial underachievers.
What to look for: Consistent, balanced offense, veteran defense.
Meisler predicts: 7-5
NEW MEXICO LOBOS
Coach: Rocky Long, ninth year, 46-50. 2005 record: 4-4 MWC, tied for fourth
What’s new: A committee of running backs on the post-DonTrell Moore era.
What to look for: Lobos have a proven senior quarterback in Kole McKamey but the defense is rebuilding.
Meisler predicts: 6-6
AIR FORCE FALCONS (tie)
For full capsule on Air Force, see page 5J.
UNLV REBELS (tie)
Coach: Mike Sanford, second year, 2-9. 2005 record: 2-9, 1-9 MWC, ninth
What’s new: USC transfer QB Rocky Hinds beat out incumbent Shane Steichen.
What to look for: Hinds will make a difference.
Meisler predicts: 4-8
WYOMING COWBOYS (tie)
