2010 College Football Preview Part 7: Mountain West

No, no, no... I'm not doing EVERY D-1 conference... but I'm doing the Mountain West... Why, you ask? Because I've been championing the league as better than the Big East for 2 solid years (and continue to do so), and they have legitimate top-25 teams... done and done...

1. TCU (11-1) - This is an elite program nationally... I have no idea how they've done it... but they have a BCS-conference roster... star power on offense (Andy Dalton at QB chiefly), an always top-tier defense, and even big-time return men in special teams... Would be shocked if they didn't win 10...
   
2. Utah (10-2) - 71-19 in 7 years... talent from top to bottom and legit depth... a nice two-headed monster at RB with Matt Asiata & Eddie Wide... Really like them, and coach Kyle Whittingham is the truth...
   
3. BYU (10-2) - The Harvey Unga loss knocks them below Utah... but again, this is another BCS-caliber roster... and Bronco Mendenhall gets the most out of them... always a mature team due to pure age and life experience (dozens of 23-25 year olds playing against 19-21 year olds)... Pencil in 9+
   
4. Air Force (8-4) - They can definitely tote the rock... Tim Jefferson/Asher Clark/Jared Tew forms a trio of ball-carriers that can pound it... but the real x-factor? 2 NFL-type cornerbacks in Reggie Rembert and Anthony Wright that can both be electric in the return game as well...
   
5. San Diego State (6-6) - I'm excited that Brady Hoke didn't the Michigan job (lol)... but SDSU is building under him... 2 big-time receivers in Vincent Brown and Demarco Sampson lead the way...
   
6. UNLV (6-7) - New coach Bobby Hauk has them pledging to be more physical... we'll see how that works...
   
7. Colorado State (5-7) - remember when they were a legit contender out west with Bradley Van Pelt running the show? I do... but that was a while ago... seems like they are on the track back under Steve Fairchild though...
   
8. New Mexico (4-8) - They were dreadful in 2009... 1-11 is nothing to sneeze at (lol)... but they return some defensive talent and should see a little bump this year...
   
9. Wyoming (4-8) - There was a lack of talent when Dave Christensen came in before last year... but they are always scary at home because of the conditions, and 4 wins seems attainable...

Game of the Year - TCU @ Utah - November 6th
Offensive Player of the Year - Andy Dalton, QB TCU
Defensive Player of the Year - Reggie Rembert, CB Air Force