Mountain West conference

The names and track records are there, but no one is a lock to run away with the Mountain West conference this season. With kickoff a couple weeks away, the opportunity for the middle of the pack to jump to the top is as wide open as ever. Colorado State (Mountain) and Nevada (West) are my dark horse candidates to win their divisions. Boise State (Mountain) and Fresno State (West) are my preseason picks to meet in the second Mountain West championship game. With so many question marks across the board, that also leaves the door open for a poor season. Wyoming has a new head coach in Craig Bohl. Norm Chow is 4-20 in his first two seasons at Hawaii. David Fales is no longer quarterbacking at San Jose State. New stars will rise, programs will take steps forward or back. Fall camp is the season of talk and hope. Once the players buckle their chin straps all the noise will be answered on the field. The University of New Mexico begins their trek August 30th at home against UTEP.