Mountain West Conference scouting report

By Jim Benton, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 28, 2008 at 7:24 p.m.

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1. Brigham Young

* Location: Provo, Utah.

* Coach: Bronco Mendenhall (28-10 overall and in three seasons at BYU).

*Last season: 11-2 overall, 8-0 in MWC. Beat UCLA 17-16 in Las Vegas Bowl.

*Returning starters: Ten on offense, three on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

QB Max Hall. Skills have been enhanced by a year of experience.

OT Dallas Reynolds. Outland Trophy candidate is part of an outstanding offensive line.

DE Jan Jorgensen. Talented junior is ringleader of a defense that holds the key to the Cougars' BCS hopes.

* Pivotal game: Nov. 22 at Utah.

* The lowdown: Bowl Championship Series bowl hopes will ride on early nonconference games at Washington and at home the next week, against UCLA. Later, the Cougars face Texas Christian and Utah on the road. The regular-season finale, against Utah, could determine a possible third straight MWC title.

2. Utah

* Location: Salt Lake City.

* Coach: Kyle Whittingham (24-14 overall and in three seasons at Utah).

* Last season: 9-4 overall, 5-3 in MWC. Beat Navy 35-32 in Poinsettia Bowl.

* Returning starters: Eight on offense, six on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

QB Brian Johnson. One of the best when healthy.

CB Brice McCain. Excellent cover corner who has been team's passbreakup leader for past two seasons.

P/PK Louie Sakoda. Two-time MWC special teams player of the year is consistently good at punting and kicking field goals.

* Pivotal game: Nov. 22 vs. BYU.

* The lowdown: The Utes, who start at Michigan, have a favorable MWC schedule and will challenge for the league title if they can avoid the rash of injuries they had last season.

3. Texas Christian

* Location: Fort Worth, Texas.

* Coach: Gary Patterson (62-25 overall and in seven seasons at TCU).

* Last season: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in MWC. Beat Houston 20-13 in Texas Bowl.

* Returning starters: Eight on offense, six on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

C Blake Schlueter. Second-team 2007 All-MWC selection should be even better.

QB Andy Dalton. Broke the school single-season completion record last season and reduced his turnovers.

LB Jason Phillips. Leading returning tackler has increased his tackle numbers each season.

* Pivotal game: Nov. 6 at Utah.

* The lowdown: With eight starters returning, the Horned Frogs should be improved offensively. If the turnover ratio can be improved and the defense plays up to TCU standards, it should be a successful season.

4. New Mexico

* Location: Albuquerque.

* Coach: Rocky Long (61-61 overall and in 10 seasons at New Mexico).

* Last season: 9-4 overall, 5-3 in MWC. Beat Nevada 23-0 in New Mexico Bowl.

* Returning starters: Six on offense, six on defense.

* Key players

QB Donovan Porterie. Talented junior is a 3,000-yard passer who has matured into a dangerous weapon.

DB DeAndre Wright. Returning All-MWC player leads a gifted Lobos secondary.

RB Rodney Ferguson. Two-time 1,000-yard rusher and all-MWC selection is a difference-maker.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 23 at Air Force.

* The lowdown: If the Lobos can survive a difficult start to the schedule and 12 consecutive games without a bye, then an eighth consecutive bowl-eligible season is possible.

5. Wyoming

* Location: Laramie.

* Coach: Joe Glenn (184-92-1 in 23 seasons overall; 26-33 in five years at Wyoming).

* Last season: 5-7 overall, 2-6 in MWC.

* Returning starters: Eight on offense, seven on defense.

* Key players

RB Devin Moore. A speedy threat whenever he touches the ball.

DT John Fletcher. On the Outland Trophy watch list.

QB Karsten Sween. Needs to improve productivity.

* Pivotal game: Sept. 6 vs. Air Force.

* The lowdown: The defense should be sound. If the offense is productive for new coordinator Bob Cole, the Cowboys could live up to Glenn's claim that, "We have the talent to be as good as any team we've had since I've been at Wyoming."

6. Air Force

* Location: Air Force Academy.

* Coach: Troy Calhoun (9-4 overall and in one season at Air Force).

* Last season: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in MWC. Lost to California 42-36 in Armed Forces Bowl.

* Returning starters: Three on offense, five on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

TE Travis Dekker. A good receiver who blocks like an offensive lineman.

OG Nick Charles. A preseason All-MWC selection who headlines a solid offensive line.

DE Ryan Kemp. This athletic senior is a resilient defender against the run.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 4 vs. Navy.

* The lowdown: The Falcons, one of the youngest teams in school history, must develop a capable quarterback and continue to overachieve to win close games as they did last season. Victories against service academy rivals Navy and Army would do wonders for Calhoun's rebuilding program.

7. Nevada-Las Vegas

* Location: Las Vegas.

* Coach: Mike Sanford (6-29 overall and in three seasons at UNLV).

* Last season: 2-10 overall, 1-7 in MWC.

* Returning starters: Nine on offense, five on defense, two specialists.

* Key players

RB Frank Summers. A bruising back who averaged 4.6 yards a carry.

QB Travis Dixon. A dual-threat QB who played in 12 games and started nine as a freshman.

WR Ryan Wolfe. A dandy possession receiver who runs excellent routes.

* Pivotal game: Sept. 27 vs. Nevada.

* The lowdown: The Rebels have a tough opening schedule that could take its toll. Sanford is on the hot seat to produce wins, but UNLV has a lot of experience returning.

8. Colorado State

* Location: Fort Collins.

* Coach: Steve Fairchild (first year at CSU).

* Last season: 3-9 overall, 2-6 in MWC.

* Returning starters: Eight on offense, six on defense, one specialist.

* Key players

LB Jeff Horinek. He's one of the playmakers Fairchild hopes will excel.

RB Gartrell Johnson. The top rusher last season will be a key if the Rams hope to employ a physical running game.

TE Kory Sperry. Talented senior is back after missing most of last season because of a knee injury.

* Pivotal game: Oct. 25 at San Diego State.

* The lowdown: Fairchild is trying to rebuild the toughness that was part of CSU's successful past. But glaring gaps of experience at quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback must be addressed. A refreshed attitude from the players will help.

9. San Diego State

* Location: San Diego.

* Coach: Chuck Long. (7-17 overall and in two seasons at San Diego State).

* Last season: 4-9 overall, 3-5 in MWC.

* Returning starters: Four on offense, eight on defense.

* Key players

LB Russell Allen. A physical player with excellent speed.

LB Andrew Preston. After an outstanding spring, big things are expected from the sophomore from Arapahoe High School.

WR Vincent Brown. Expectations are high for Brown, who had 31 receptions as a freshman last season.

* Pivotal game: Sept. 13 at San Jose State.

* The lowdown: The defense, which was the worst in the MWC last season, can only get better, but the offense also must improve if the Aztecs hope to top their four victories from last season.

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