12. New Mexico (26)
The Lobos last place ranking just shows that head coach Danny Gonzales still has a lot of work to do to get this program more competitive within the Mountain West. Losing star running back Aaron Dumas does not help in that rebuild process.
11. Hawaii (42)
Todd Graham may be gone from the islands but the damage has already been done with multiple starters electing to go into the portal to get away from the toxic environment he was alleged of harboring. The new coach will have a long way to go to get this team back.
10. UNLV (43)
This will be the third year for Marcus Arroyo and while the record was not there this past year there is reason for optimism with a few quarterbacks who played well with Cameron Friel, Justin Rodgers and Doug Brumfield. Plus, the Rebels played in six games that were one-possession losses. UNLV gets half of those and they are knocking on the door of bowl eligibility.
9. Wyoming (51)
The Cowboys are in a bit of limbo. Key players left like quarterbacks Levi Williams, Sean Chambers, WR Isaiah Neyor who is with Texas, running back Xavian Valladay. Four of their transfers went to a Power 5 school. However, the Cowboys did land a few transfers but a quarterback is a high priority, and the new starter might be Andrew Peasley who came in form Utah State.
8. Nevada (60)
The Wolf Pack have a new head coach in Ken Wilson who comes from Oregon to take over for the departed Jay Norvell who is now at Colorado State. While a lot of transfers left to follow Norvell, the Wolf Pack did land a few transfers from Oregon and a few other Power 5 programs.
7. San Jose State (65)
The 2021 year was not great for the Spartans as they had an injury issue at quarterback with Nick Starkel out for a number of games, and couple that with a lack of wide receiver depth did not help. The Spartans did land a few plug and play transfers in former Hawaii QB Chevan Cordeiro, Nevada wide receivers Elijah Cooks and Justin Lockhart.
6. Colorado State (81)
This spot might be a bit more projecting with Jay Norvell coming from Nevada and a number of his players joining him. There was already some talent that was already with the Rams including wide receiver Dante Wright.
5. Boise State (1 first-place vote, 123)
The coaching losses are a concern with four assistants no longer on the roster, but the Broncos don’t lose a lot of talent and they were close to winning the Mountain Division this past year. Andy Avalos in his second year should use the knowledge from his first year and improve.
4. San Diego State (2 first-place votes, 125)
Respect is there for the Aztecs as they earned a few first-place votes and the defense is always one of the best in the Mountain West. They do lose RB Greg Bell and Keagun Williams entered the transfer portal along with Lucas Johnson. Quarterback play is always a question with the Aztecs and if that play can improve just a bit then San Diego State should be able to be in conference title contention.
3. Air Force (126)
No one chose the Falcons as the best team but their votes were top heavy to be here at the third spot. Air Force returns a lot of talent at quarterback and running back to make a run at the conference title.
2. Fresno State (7 first-place votes, 135)
The Bulldogs keeping quarterback Jake Haener, wide receiver Jalen Cropper and others from the portal is a huge boond even despite the loss of head coach Kalen DeBoer. Jeff Tedford is back and fully healthy as the head coach and if he has similar results to how they played in his first tenure then Fresno State should be fine.
1. Utah State (3 first-place votes, 136 points)
Respect the defending champs. Utah State only earned three first-place votes, but they are the top. The loss of WR Deven Thompkins is huge but they have added Power 5 talent at that wide receier position and return quarterback Logan Bonner to sling the ball around. There was not much lost on defense and that unit should take a step forward.
