Welcome to the 2017 Mountain West Conference Football Preview. The MW should have outstanding QB play this season. Josh Allen of Wyoming is a first round NFL prospect.
Mountain West Preview
Mountain Division
Boise State Broncos – The talent is there in Boise to be the league’s best this season. Brett Rypien is experienced QB who need to help them improve their turnover margin from last season which was 116th in the nation.
Wyoming Cowboys – Lost three straight to end 2016. With QB Josh Allen, the Cowboys should be in every game but the defense needs to improve from 101st in scoring last year for Cowboys to make the MWC title game.
Colorado State Rams – The Rams open a new stadium this season. Nick Stevens leads an offense that was 28th in scoring last year. The defense will need to make a jump from 81st.
New Mexico Lobos – Won 7 of 8 to end year. Led nation in rushing and should have the pieces to be back at the top of the rushing standings. The defense (89th) and turnover margin (Tied-73rd must be improved.
Air Force Falcons – Won six straight to end season. The defense was 49th in scoring but only returns one starter. The offense should have playmakers to make the Falcons tough week to week.
Utah State Aggies – Inexperience on both sides of line will make wins hard to come by this season. The offense returns skill player but was 108th in scoring last season.
West Division
San Diego State Aztecs – defending MWC Champs and won their bowl game. Turnover margin was +14 last year and with a returning QB and Rashaad Penny taking over at RB, could be a another great turnover margin season that leads to double digit wins.
Hawaii Warriors – Won three straight to end the season but brought in a new defensive coordinator. Defense was 113th and turnover margin was 111st. Those must be improved to become contenders.
San Jose State Spartans – New at the skill spots but have a veteran offensive line. Both the offense and defense were 103th in scoring last season so need for improvement on both sides of the ball to make a bowl game.
Fresno State Bulldogs – The Bulldogs won one game last season so Jeff Tedford is now the new head coach. He has a team with experience but he’ll have to improve an offense that was 125th in scoring last year.
UNLV Rebels – The Rebels have to get the defense to improve from last year’s 112th in scoring. If their new QB can distribute to the skill positions, they could stay in some games but hard to see them making a bowl game in 2017.
Nevada Wolf Pack – Jay Norvell takes over and installs the Air Raid offense with the Wolf Pack. Will that marginalize a good running back like James Butler? QB David Cornwell transferred to Nevada and could be a great fit for the new offense. With a new system and inexperience at many positions should be a tough year.
2017 Mountain West Predictions
| Predicted Record | ||||
| MWC MOUNTAIN | W | L | CONF W | CONF L |
| Boise State Broncos | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Wyoming Cowboys | 9 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Colorado State Rams | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| New Mexico Lobos | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Air Force Falcons | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Utah State Aggies | 1 | 11 | 0 | 8 |
| Predicted Record | ||||
| MWC WEST | W | L | CONF W | CONF L |
| San Diego State Aztecs | 11 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Hawaii Rainbow Warriors | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| San Jose State Spartans | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Fresno State Bulldogs | 3 | 9 | 2 | 6 |
| UNLV Rebels | 3 | 9 | 2 | 6 |
| Nevada Wolf Pack | 2 | 10 | 1 | 7 |
2017 MWC Football Championship Game Prediction
San Diego State over Boise State
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