Colorado State hopes for a breakthrough season, but league media remain skeptical of how good the Rams can be. They picked CSU to finish fifth in a new-look Mountain West Conference that is in the first year of a two-year transition.
The MWC, which adds Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii next season, is an eight-team conference this year with the departures of Utah to the Pac-12 and BYU, which went independent. CSU is looking to bounce back from a 3-9 season, with just two wins in conference play.
Newcomer Boise State, which visits Fort Collins on Oct. 15, was named the preseason favorite. TCU, which leaves the conference after this year, was picked to finish second, followed by San Diego State and Air Force.
If the Rams are to make a jump up, two of the biggest reasons will come from the play of linebacker Mychal Sisson and offensive lineman Paul Madsen, both seniors. Both were named to the Mountain West preseason all-conference first team. The Rams begin fall practice Aug. 4.
Falcons’ Dietz to return.
Air Force will have a little more experience at quarterback in 2012 than the current roster indicates, because Connor Dietz is likely to return for a fifth season. Dietz, Air Force’s backup quarterback who is listed as a senior, has applied for a ninth semester to be used in fall of 2012, and it appears that will be approved.
“It’s very close,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said at the MWC media days in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “I think it will occur.”
Without Dietz, the Falcons were probably going to replace four-year starter Tim Jefferson with someone who had never started a college game.
Dietz played in seven games in 2009 and started three when Jefferson was hurt. Dietz completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards and a TD in his most extensive action last season, against New Mexico.
Dietz was able to get the ninth semester because he broke his right hand vs. Utah in 2009, then missed the last five games.
The Denver Post, The Colorado Springs Gazette
