subject: 2010 Mountain West Football Predictions [print this page] 2010 Mountain West Football Predictions 2010 Mountain West Football Predictions
Even though the Mountain West Conference is not considered a BCS bowl conference, they have made their presence known the past two seasons with Utah stunning Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in 2008 and TCU nearly beating Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl last season. Both teams figure to be very good again in 2010, and either could wind up playing in a BCS bowl game again this season, but the question remains if a team from this conference will ever earn enough credit to play for the National Championship.
One of the bigger stories surrounding the MWC this season will be the future departure of Utah, who has accepted an invitation to play for the Pac-10 starting next year. The Utes will have to beat a very good TCU team if they want to go out on top in their final season of MWC play. It was all TCU in 2009, as the Horned Frogs cruised to a perfect 8-0 conference record, and it looks like they are going to be the team to beat again in 2010. Here is a look at my predictions on how the MWC will finish up this season.
1.)TCU Horned Frogs The Horned Frogs have 16 starters back in 2010, led by senior quarterback Andy Dalton. Who should have another monster season throwing the ball to a very talented wide receivers corps led by seniors Jimmy Young and Jeremy Kerley. Sophomore Matthew Tucker will take over for Joseph Turner at running back, and could put together an even better season than Turner's 754 yards and 11 touchdowns. The defense allowed just under 13 points a game in 2009, and figures to be just asan good if not better in 2010.
2.)Utah Utes The Utes will really have to improve if they want to take the division away from TCU, as the Horned Frogs beat up on them 55-28 last season. They do however get them on their home turf this season, in what very well could be the game that decides the conference champion. The Utes have just four starters back on defense, and it figures to be what keeps them from winning the MWC next season.
3.)Air Force Falcons A lot of people will expect BYU to come in at No.3, but that is not the case in my predictions. I believe that Falcons could not only finish in the top 3, but they could wind up winning the conference. They came the closest to beating TCU last season, losing by just three 17-20 at home, and nearly beat Utah on the road in an overtime thriller.
4.)San Diego State Aztecs The Aztecs had a rough finish to the 2009 season losing their final four games, but this team has 16 starters back and figures to be one of the most improved teams in the conference in 2010. We will see just how good this team is when they travel to take on a depleted BYU team on Oct. 9.
5.)BYU Cougars The Cougars have to replace a ton of production from a 2009 team that went 11-2, as quarterback Max Hall is gone and star running back Harvey Unga is no longer with the team after violating the school's honor code. That leaves just 11 returning starters, but I could be wrong here, as the Cougars haven't lost a conference game against anyone other than TCU and Utah the past two seasons.
6.)UNLV Rebels The Rebels have 15 starters back from a team that finished pretty strong with three wins in their final five games, but if this team is going to really compete this season they are going to need improved play out of senior quarterback Omar Clayton and the entire defensive side of the football.
7.)Wyoming Cowboys Here is another team that could surprise one of the top teams if not taken seriously. They Cowboys got a heck of a lot better when Austyn Carta-Samuels took over the starting quarterback job. They get seven starters back on defense, and I look for this unit to improve on their 27 points a game in 2009.
8.)Colorado State Rams The Rams were unable to win a conference game in 2009, and with just 12 starters back, only four on the offensive side of the ball, I don't think there will be a whole lot of improvement for this team in 2010.
9.)New Mexico Lobos I have the Lobos finishing at the bottom of the MWC in 2010, as they have just seven seniors expected to start on either offense or defense next season. With so much young talent getting playing time, the Lobos could be a team to watch out for in a couple years.
If you are interested in betting the MWC this season, be sure to check out our college football odds page each week for the best lines available. Also, feel free to check out if any of the MWC teams are listed in our overall 2010 college football predictions.
