Speculating about teams that have yet to play...
This is the year for the Mountain West Conference to put a team back in a BCS bowl game. BYU and Utah have teams that both have the ability to get into the BCS this season. They also have the ability to set up an undefeated Holy War showdown this season. Before a football is snapped for the 2008 season, here is how the power rankings look for the Mountain West Conference.
1a)BYU - They have the offense to beat any team in the nation, as long as they stay healthy. The defense is loaded with question marks. The secondary is basically new compared to last year. Although their are new players at new positions for BYU's defense, the players coming in this season are better than those who graduated. The schedule opens the door for the Cougars to play in a BCS game this season.
1b)Utah - Utah is also returning key players this season. They also have winnable game this season against a Michigan team that should be down this season. They also play a lower level Oregon State team at home this season. They also get TCU and BYU at home this season, which gives them an advantage over the other teams in the conference. This is Johnson's senior season. If Johnson is going to live up to the hype around him, then Johnson better lead the team to a conference championship and a big bowl game.
3)TCU - OVERRATED!!! Yes, I leave the tag on from last seasons power rankings regarding the Horned Frogs. Once again the national media has overrated what TCU will do this season. They claim that TCU's defense will be the class of the conference. Why? Just like BYU's defense they have a new Defensive line, and basically a new linebacker core. Yeah, I call that unproven and a weakness. Plus a game at Oklahoma should be tough in the middle of the season.
4)Wyoming - This is the bounce back year for the Pokes. I like Joe Glenn, and I think that he has his players ready to excel this season(he better because his job is on the line this season). A successful season for the Pokes would be to make it to a bowl game. Wyoming should start the season 3-0, with the first three games coming at home this season. They will be there with New Mexico and Colorado State fighting for a bowl birth at the end of the season.
5)New Mexico - Porterie returning to start at quarterback for the Lobos. He is 12-4 in games that he starts and finishes for the Lobos. In his third year, he is looking to take the leadership role over for the team. New Mexico will also be able to run the ball on the ground this year, and that will make up for an inexperienced defense; however, Rocky Long will have the defense ready to compete at strong level this season. The first three games of the season are crucial for the success of the Lobos. They start facing TCU, Texas A&M, and Arizona all at home. A quick start will lead to another bowl appearance for the Lobos this season.
6)Colorado St. - It is the start of a new era at Colorado St. It should be an instant improvement for the Rams. The old schemes that the Rams were running didn't match the personnel that they had on the field. The Rams have eight returning starters back, and a strong stable of running backs. Colorado State has the rivalry game against Colorado and a game at Cal; however, they play both BYU and TCU at home. Look for the Rams to bounce back this season and be playing for bowl eligibility.
7)UNLV - This is the year for Mike Sanford to produce and lead the Rebels back to relevance. It doesn't look good for the Rebels. Getting a win against Utah St to open the season is crucial. The next three games are brutal for the Rebels. Playing at Utah and Arizona State, followed by a home game against Iowa State. If the Rebels lose to Utah State, then they will go 0-4 to start the season. That will destroy another season of football at UNLV.
8)Air Force - No Hall, no Carney, no chance. Air Force is returning only three starters from last year's team. Look for this to be a rebuilding year as the team deals with the losses of personnel on the offensive side of the ball.
9)San Diego St - Starting a red shirt freshman is never a good sign; however, starting a red shirt freshman and putting him behind a young offensive line is a way to have a terrible season(or a normal season for SDSU). Another long season as Chuck Long tries to establish a program at San Diego St.
This is the year for the Mountain West Conference to put a team back in a BCS bowl game. BYU and Utah have teams that both have the ability to get into the BCS this season. They also have the ability to set up an undefeated Holy War showdown this season. Before a football is snapped for the 2008 season, here is how the power rankings look for the Mountain West Conference.
1a)BYU - They have the offense to beat any team in the nation, as long as they stay healthy. The defense is loaded with question marks. The secondary is basically new compared to last year. Although their are new players at new positions for BYU's defense, the players coming in this season are better than those who graduated. The schedule opens the door for the Cougars to play in a BCS game this season.
1b)Utah - Utah is also returning key players this season. They also have winnable game this season against a Michigan team that should be down this season. They also play a lower level Oregon State team at home this season. They also get TCU and BYU at home this season, which gives them an advantage over the other teams in the conference. This is Johnson's senior season. If Johnson is going to live up to the hype around him, then Johnson better lead the team to a conference championship and a big bowl game.
3)TCU - OVERRATED!!! Yes, I leave the tag on from last seasons power rankings regarding the Horned Frogs. Once again the national media has overrated what TCU will do this season. They claim that TCU's defense will be the class of the conference. Why? Just like BYU's defense they have a new Defensive line, and basically a new linebacker core. Yeah, I call that unproven and a weakness. Plus a game at Oklahoma should be tough in the middle of the season.
4)Wyoming - This is the bounce back year for the Pokes. I like Joe Glenn, and I think that he has his players ready to excel this season(he better because his job is on the line this season). A successful season for the Pokes would be to make it to a bowl game. Wyoming should start the season 3-0, with the first three games coming at home this season. They will be there with New Mexico and Colorado State fighting for a bowl birth at the end of the season.
5)New Mexico - Porterie returning to start at quarterback for the Lobos. He is 12-4 in games that he starts and finishes for the Lobos. In his third year, he is looking to take the leadership role over for the team. New Mexico will also be able to run the ball on the ground this year, and that will make up for an inexperienced defense; however, Rocky Long will have the defense ready to compete at strong level this season. The first three games of the season are crucial for the success of the Lobos. They start facing TCU, Texas A&M, and Arizona all at home. A quick start will lead to another bowl appearance for the Lobos this season.
6)Colorado St. - It is the start of a new era at Colorado St. It should be an instant improvement for the Rams. The old schemes that the Rams were running didn't match the personnel that they had on the field. The Rams have eight returning starters back, and a strong stable of running backs. Colorado State has the rivalry game against Colorado and a game at Cal; however, they play both BYU and TCU at home. Look for the Rams to bounce back this season and be playing for bowl eligibility.
7)UNLV - This is the year for Mike Sanford to produce and lead the Rebels back to relevance. It doesn't look good for the Rebels. Getting a win against Utah St to open the season is crucial. The next three games are brutal for the Rebels. Playing at Utah and Arizona State, followed by a home game against Iowa State. If the Rebels lose to Utah State, then they will go 0-4 to start the season. That will destroy another season of football at UNLV.
8)Air Force - No Hall, no Carney, no chance. Air Force is returning only three starters from last year's team. Look for this to be a rebuilding year as the team deals with the losses of personnel on the offensive side of the ball.
9)San Diego St - Starting a red shirt freshman is never a good sign; however, starting a red shirt freshman and putting him behind a young offensive line is a way to have a terrible season(or a normal season for SDSU). Another long season as Chuck Long tries to establish a program at San Diego St.
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