College Football Preview 2017-2018: 18. Boise State Broncos

18. Boise State Broncos

They aren't the powerhouse they once were, but their consistency is incredible

Location: Boise, Idaho Conference: MWC (Mountain) Schedule Roster Coach: Bryan Harsin (fourth year) Last Years Record: 10-3 (6-2 MWC) Bowl Result: Loss in Cactus Bowl Overview After a down 2015 in which the Broncos went 9-4 and slipped to a relatively mediocre 5-3 in the Mountain West, head coach Bryan Harsin was hoping for a resurgent 2016. A 7-0 start seemed to show Boise was in serious New Year's Six conversation, but the Broncos would eventually lose to Wyoming and then finish the regular season with a deflating loss to Air Force. A frustrating loss to Baylor in the Cactus Bowl cast a bad shadow on what overall was a pretty successful season. However, it marked the second straight year Boise was not playing in a MWC Championship, a disappointment for a program that used to collect WAC titles consistently. Though the team has significant reason to believe that 2017 will be the year they finally are able to retake the conference. With an experienced signal-caller leading a dangerous offense and an aggressive front seven, all the signs point to a big fourth season at the helm for Harsin.

Brett Rypien

Offense: Now a junior, quarterback Brett Rypien has a chance to have a truly special season. Rypien won the quarterback job back in 2015 as a true freshman, and has been a staple at the position since then. He threw for 3,646 yards and 24 touchdowns this past season, and if he can continue to improve his decision-making and deep throws, he could end up being the best player Boise has at the position since record-setting signal-caller Kellen Moore graduated. Rypien will not have his backfield mate left after running back Jeremy McNichols departed. McNichols had a huge 2016, rushing for 1,709 yards and 23 touchdowns before he was selected in the fifth round of the Draft by Tampa Bay. McNichols wasn't the power-back Jay Ajayi was before him, but was incredibly elusive and a threat to make a big play every time he touched the ball. With his absence, Boise will likely turn to sophomore Alexander Mattison to take over feature back duties. Mattison had 328 yards on 67 attempts and showed the ability to make defenders miss. He certainly isn't at McNichols' level of playmaking, but Mattison should still be able to give the Broncos consistent yardage on the ground. Senior Ryan Wolpin could also get some snaps at the position after getting 13 carries a year ago. Boise State also has to identify some new targets on the outside for Rypien to work with after the extremely reliable Thomas Sperbeck left. Sperbeck had 80 receptions for 1,272 yards in '16 and leaves Boise as the program's all-time leading receiver. Senior Cedrick Wilson will certainly be the favorite to take over Sperbeck's departed No. 1 receiver role. Wilson isn't quite as consistent or reliable as Sperbeck but is extremely fast and a little bit more dynamic with the ball in his hands. After recording 56 catches for 1,129 yards in 2016 he could have an even bigger year in '17. Beyond Wilson, Boise is extremely inexperienced in the receivers corps, but there is plenty of potential. Juniors A.J. Richardson (2 catches in 2016) and Sean Modster (8) should both see much larger roles and have shown they break open up games. There is also a good chance we could see some true freshman see significant snaps, particularly Octavius Evans and Cartrell Thomas, two of the higher-rated prospects in the 2017 recruiting class. Evans was a huge pickup, as the 6'2", 220-pound wide out seems to have all the tools to be the next great Boise State receiver. At tight end, Boise has plenty of experience, namely senior Jake Roh. Roh played in just four games a season ago due to injury but had 68 receptions over the first two seasons of his career. Senior Alec Dhaenens took over his spot last year and should also see plenty of opportunities in the

Alec Dhaenens

passing game. On the offensive line, the Broncos are hoping that they can continue the immense progress they made last year, when they decreased their sack total by 12. Three starters depart, but senior left tackle Archie Lewis and senior center Mason Hampton are two experienced anchors they can point to. Junior college transfer Isiah Moore was very highly recruited, and should fight for a starting job right away.

Defense: While the Broncos' offense has gotten plenty of attention for it's impressive play over the years, the defense has long been underrated. That was, for the most part, once again the case last season, as Boise had the Mountain West's No. 2 scoring defense, and 29th nationally. They were rock-solid in the front seven for much of last season, and they return a difference-maker in junior David Moa. Playing at not-glamorous position like defensive tackle, Moa doesn't get the national respect he should but he had 8.5 sacks last season and can really get after the opposing quarterback. The Broncos will have to find out who will join him on the D-Line, where starters depart at both end and the other tackle spot. Junior Durant Miles really impressed in the spring and he has the speed off the edge to really have a breakout year at the end spot. The linebacker corps will also undergo somewhat of a transition as they break in plenty of fresh faces. Junior Jabril Frazier is the lone returning starter, as he is back to man the "Stud" position, an aggressive pass rushing spot off the edge, where he had four sacks in '16. The middle linebacker spot is up for grabs, with sophomore Tyson Maeva competing with redshirt freshman Benton Wickersham. Maeva has to be the favorite, but the position could be a question mark Boise State must address going forward. At the outside linebacker slots, Boise State has some veteran presences, namely senior Gabe Perez and Leighton Vander Esch. Perez had 7.5 tackles for loss in 2014, but has missed significant time over the past two seasons with injuries, as has Vander Esch. Perez will have to still fight for a starting spot, while Vander Esch's impressive spring could indicate he is on track for a breakout campaign. The clear-cut strength of the defense will be in the back, where Boise brings back plenty of talent. Junior Tyler Horton and senior Cameron Hartsfield are the two real stars of the unit. Horton is very experienced and fundamentally sound, which should help him lock down the No. 1 cornerback spot. Hartsfield is the Broncos' leading returning tackler, with 65, and has proven his worth as a fabulous run defender. The rest of the unit is less experienced, but upside is no question. Junior cornerback Michael Young is expected to lock down a starting role opposite of Horton, while the crazy athletic DeAndre Pierce is fighting for a safety job. Overall, the defense will undergo some adjustments as new starters are breaking in but there is no shortage of talent and plenty of playmakers. That should be important, considering the fact the Broncos' D managed just nine total turnovers a year ago, the fewest in school history.

Special Teams: Much like other parts of this roster, special teams will have some new faces, at both punter and kicker. Placekicker Tyler Rausa is gone after going 9/13 on field goals last season, while fabulous punter Sean Wale also departs. Both duties are expected to be taken over by big-legged redshirt freshman Joel Velasquez. The Broncos should be very dangerous in the return game, where Cedrick Wilson is expected to handle both punt and kick return duties.

After winning the Fiesta Bowl in his first season taking over for former head coach Chris Petersen, Bryan Harsin has yet to have a very complete encore, although 19 wins over the past two seasons isn't exactly terrible either. Talent should be no question, as the Broncos add another strong recruiting class to a roster that has impressive depth and a good dose of experience. Add in a quarterback only getting better, a solid offensive line and some breakout candidates on defense, and Boise State has the pieces they need to get back to the MWC Championship Game, after a two-year absence. Also working in the Broncos favor: one of the easier schedules they've had in years. Outside of a road trip to Washington State, there is a good chance Boise will be favored in every single game they play. It seems like a long time since we've been able to see Boise showcase their magical style of play on the national stage. If everything goes as planned, a return to a New Year's Six Bowl, where they'll have a chance to topple another college football power, should be able to change that.

Player to Watch
Alexander Mattison, RB
Not only is Mattison the replacement to the dynamic Jeremy McNichols, the sophomore is the next in a long line of great Boise running backs, which includes McNichols, Jay Ajayi and Doug Martin. Despite the fact he was behind McNichols in the depth chart, Mattison certainly showed enough that Broncos fans should feel very confident he can honor that impressive lineage. With his speed and shiftiness, a 1,000 yard season should be well within reach.

Five-Year Trend
2012: 11-2 (7-1 MWC)*
2013: 8-5 (6-2 MWC)*
2014: 12-2 (7-1 MWC)*
2015: 9-4 (5-3 MWC)*
2016: 10-3 (6-2 MWC)*

*= Bowl appearance

College Football Bowl Picks 2016-2017: New Mexico Bowl to New Orleans Bowl

Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego St.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl (December 17th)
UTSA Roadrunners (6-6) vs. New Mexico Lobos (8-4)

The 2016-2017 bowl season will kick off with a battle of two pretty big surprises. New Mexico has been solid over the last few years but they have had a better 2016 than many imagined, and are now just one victory away from just their fifth nine-win season in program history. Meanwhile, UTSA will be playing in their first bowl game ever after winning six games in the crowded Conference USA. The Roadrunners know what they need to stop to have a shot at beating UNM: the ground attack. With nearly 361 yards a game on the ground, the Lobos have the No. 1 rushing offense in the entire land, topping offenses that usually find themselves up there, like option-orientated Georgia Tech or Navy. Backs Teriyon Gipson and Tyrone Owens give New Mexico a dangerous two-headed attack, particularly Gipson, who is coming off a 217-yard day in the team's season finale over Wyoming. UTSA's rush defense is inconsistent and while it has faced many high-octane offenses in the C-USA, adjusting to this ground game could prove to be challenging. The Lobos don't do much through the air, but Washington State transfer Austin Apodaca has a big enough arm that the Roadrunners have to be prepared for the long pass. UTSA has a solid running back themselves in Jarveon Williams (775 yards in '16) and don't turn the ball over. However, the aerial attack is not very diversified and New Mexico has an athletic defense. Unless the Roadrunners can find some magic or completely shut down New Mexico on the ground, they are going to be in for a challenge. UTSA is a great story (the fastest program to go from a startup to bowl-eligible) but they could be overmatched against the skilled Lobos.
New Mexico, 35 UTSA, 21

Las Vegas Bowl presented by Geico (December 17th)
Houston Cougars (9-3) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (10-3)

Two of the nation's best non-Power Five teams are set to collide in Las Vegas, as the 9-3 Cougars hope to overtake the underrated Aztecs. Life after Tom Herman begins for the Cougars, who went 22-4 under the head coach, before he left to take the job at Texas. New head man Major Applewhite still has enough talent to lead UH to a victory. Senior signal-caller Greg Ward Jr. is still one of the nation's best, and his dual threat ability should give the SDSU defense issues. On defense, Houston not only has a ball-hawking secondary but one of the nation's top freshman in defensive linemen Ed Oliver. Oliver will hope to create enough chaos to disrupt the extremely efficient and methodical Aztec offense. That offense is headed by Donnel Pumphrey, who finished the year with 2,018 yards and 16 touchdowns. Pumphrey is a dynamic ball-carrier that can break the game open at any moment. The Cougars' defense has played well on the year, but is still prone to big plays, which could be extremely worrying. That defense will also be tasked with stopping quarterback Christian Chapman. Chapman does not exactly stuff the stat sheet full (1,866 yards and 19 passing touchdowns on the year) but he does the little things well and has proven he can overcome tough defenses. An important factor in this one could be the motivation level. The Aztecs are fresh off a Mountain West Conference Title and eager to prove they are a Top 25 team, while Houston's younger guys will hope to have a big day to insure their future under Applewhite. It should be a fun game, but the Aztecs are the more balanced team. They should be able to pull off this one in a thriller.
San Diego State, 27 Houston, 24

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (December 17th)
Appalachian State Moutaineers (9-3) vs. Toledo Rockets (9-3)

If you like offense, Toledo may just be the team for you. The Rockets went 9-3 this season, thanks in large part to their explosive O, which averaged nearly 530 yards per game, along with 38.8 points per game. They are hopeful that offense can lead them to a victory against a sound Appalachian State team, who finished off the season 9-3 and remains incredibly consistent. The Rockets will turn to their stars at the skill positions, namely gunslinger Logan Woodside, who finished off the season with 43 passing touchdowns. Woodside will be supported by fabulous back Kareem Hunt (1,355 yards, eight scores) and a number of weapons on the perimeter. That should be enough to give App. State enough issues on the defensive side of the ball, even though the Mountaineers have shown they can handle talented offenses (see the season opener against Tennessee). While Toledo is explosive and up-tempo, Appalachian State thrives because of a smart, controlled offense. Senior QB Taylor Lamb has a great mind for the game, and can hurt you with his legs just as much as his arm. Paired with sophomore Jalin Moore, the Mountaineers have enough to keep pace in the scoring battle. Turnovers could play a huge role in this one, as they often do. Toledo scores often, but they have struggled with turnovers on offense, as while as forcing them. Meanwhile, App. State doesn't turn the ball over very much, and the defense is much more consistent. With that in mind, they should be able to overcome Toledo's explosiveness. No matter what, expect plenty of points in another bowl that should be down to the wire.
Appalachian State, 37 Toledo, 33

AutoNation Cure Bowl (December 17th)
UCF Knights (6-6) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (7-5)

Last season at this point, Central Florida was coming off a disastrous 0-12 season and preparing for what appeared to be a long rebuild. Instead, they have made quick strides under former Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost, who already has them in a bowl. The Knight are a defense-orientated team that has plenty of experience on that side of the ball. Offensively, they are fairly balanced, but don't have many perimeter playmakers. They will get a tough test from one of the most consistent Group of Five programs in the country, Arkansas State. The Red Wolves started off the year slowly once more, but caught fire inside the Sun Belt. Arkansas State is extremely balanced offensively, with big-armed quarterback Justice Hansen joined by solid back Warren Wand. However, the real strength on this team is what can be a stifling defense. The group allows just around 22 points per game (tied for 24th nationally) and has had some dominant moments, like when they held 9-3 Troy to just three points, in a resounding 32-point victory. That group should be hyped up and ready for the Knights, and it could be very physical. While many of the early bowl matchups I could envision being shootouts, I could see this being more of a defensive struggle. This bowl will be played in Orlando, so it is basically at home for UCF. However, I think Arkansas State is very hot right now, and has a more experienced team ready to bring this one home.
Arkansas State, 26 UCF, 20

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (December 17th)
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (6-6) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (6-6)

Talk about different ways to start your season. Southern Miss opened up 2016 with a victory over an SEC program in Kentucky (who ended up 7-5, by the way) and started off 4-1 with their only loss being to Troy. Meanwhile, the Ragin' Cajuns opened up 2-4, including three straight losses towards the midpoint of the season. While Southern Miss has lost live of seven, Lafayette has trended the other way, and here they meet. The Golden Eagles have tons of talent, namely veteran quarterback Nick Mullens (2,926 yards, 26 touchdowns) and underrated back Ito Smith (1,321 yards), but they made too many mistakes last year. Defensively, they were putrid at times, surrendering 55 points to UTSA, and 45 to a pedestrian LSU offense. Controlling Elijah McGuire, the Cajuns' elusive back could be a trouble. LSU transfer Anthony Jennings has fit right in with the Cajuns, and should look to throw all over a weak Golden Eagles' secondary. However, that offense has had some poor moments all year, namely laying a zero against Appalachian State. With that in mind, the edge has to go to Southern Miss, even if they are trending in the wrong direction. If the defense can play hard and make a few stops, they should be in prime position to push to a victory.
Southern Miss, 34 Louisiana-Lafayette, 24

College Football Preview 2016-2017: 21. Boise State Broncos

Jeremy McNichols

21. Boise State Broncos

Conference: Mountain West (Mountain Division)
Location: Boise, Idaho
2015-2016 Record: 9-4 (5-3 MWC)
Bowl Result: Won in Poinsettia Bowl
Breakout Player: QB Brett Rypien
Heisman Hopeful: RB Jeremy McNichols
X-Factor: QB Brett Rypien
Recruiting Rundown (via Rivals)
Schedule
Roster

Coming off a big debut that led to a Fiesta Bowl victory over Arizona, even greater things were expected of Bryan Harsin's second season at Boise State. The former Arkansas State head coach oversaw some controversy at QB to begin the year and missed NFL running back Jay Ajayi. In the end, Boise finished off 9-4 in his second year. Although it was disappointing they didn't return to the Mountain West Championship Game and they lost three conference games, a 55-7 pounding of Northern Illinois in their bowl game showed how good they could be. Quarterback Brett Rypien returns after a magical debut, and brings with him plenty of offensive talent. If the defense can continue to be stout, this isn't just the best team in a weak conference, they have a very legitimate chance of returning to a New Year's Six Bowl.

Backfield: The nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, Brett had to fight for QB duties. He got a strong push from Ryan Finley and others, but he locked down the gig, and was wonderful. He showed fantastic poise and arm strength, leading to 3,353 yards and 20 touchdowns. Plus, he did it in a conference that has some strong defensive teams, and can actually boast some intimidating environments. The fact of the matter is that Rypien could be even better than he was last year, if he continues to grow. He should be more comfortable with Boise State's talented receivers, but he is also breaking in two new co-offensive coordinators in Zak Hill and Scott Huff after former OC Eliah Drinkwitz left for NC State. He has great arm strength and impressive mobility, which should only grow more this season. I listed him as a breakout player (despite his impressive numbers) only because I think he could become even better, possibly the Mountain West's most complete quarterback. Joining in the backfield is vastly underrated back Jeremy McNichols, who quietly did a great job filling Jay Ajayi's shoes. McNichols used his agility and elusiveness to 20 touchdowns, while showing consistency, averaging 111.4 yards per game in 2015. McNichols also showed amazing ability last season as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, with 51 catches for 460 yards and six touchdowns. Now a junior, McNichols could become even better this season, as he grew plenty stronger this offseason. Expect a number of others players to contribute as well beyond McNichols, particularly senior Devan Demas. Much like McNichols (5'9"), Demas is small and uses it to his advantage, bursting through tough lanes. He ran for 171 yards and two scores a year ago, and he has big play potential. Also sure to see some action is incoming freshman Alex Mattison, a consensus three-star prospect. Mattison was fantastic in high school, running for two straight 2,000 yard seasons at San Bernardino High School in California. If he can bring his wonderful playmaking ability to Boise, the Broncos could have a potential star.

Chaz Anderson

Receivers: Helping out Rypien will be the Mountain West's best receiver corps, with tons of talent and experience. The No. 1 option is senior Thomas Sperbeck, one of the most reliable weapons in the nation. Sperbeck had 88 receptions for 1,412 yards with eight touchdowns. Sperbeck was a scary deep threat last season but also showed his ability to move the chains consistently. Joining the experienced Sperbeck will be fellow senior Chaz Anderson Much like Sperbeck, Anderson is gifted with game-changing speed and explosiveness, and he is also a proven route runner. Anderson helped out with 42 receptions and 578 yards last year and continues to grow as a wide out. Beyond those two, Boise will look for some younger receivers to play larger roles. Sophomore A.J. Richardson has all the looks of a breakout candidate. Although inexperienced, Richardson has shown flashes of stardom in his short time with the Broncos, and looked good in the spring. Both Sperbeck and Anderson can stretch the field if necessary, but neither is a real home run threat. Richardson isn't lightning quick, but he possesses decent size and leaping ability to go up and get those home run balls, which will help Rypien out quite a bit. Sophomore Sean Modster is another pretty unproven commodity that could take huge strides in 2016. Modster has good speed and finds ways to create space between him and defenders. Harsin also did a good job on the recruiting trail landing high-upside guys at the receiver position. He went south to land three-star Julian Carter out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Carter has fabulous athleticism and could sneak into the depth chart and make some plays. Fellow three-star recruit Jordan Happle is a deceptively fast player who has a bright future with the Broncos. Boise State is also extremely strong at tight end, thanks in large part to the return of junior Jake Roh. Roh was an All-Conference pick a year ago after picking up 33 catches, 357 yards and one score, and will now not have any competition, as red zone specialist Holden Huff graduated. Roh isn't massive but he is a solid blocker with soft hands. He has to improve in the red zone however, as Rypien needs more consistency from his receivers when the field gets short. Junior Alec Dhaenens may be able to find some opportunities, while incoming freshman John Bates is going to continue to improve.

Offensive Line: Boise State doesn't produce a ton of NFL talent in the trenches, but their offensive line is solid every single year because they recruit high quality guys that stay all four years. They should once more be bullies on the line of scrimmage, thanks to four returning starters to their O-Line. It begins on the perimeter for Boise, who brings back two talented tackles, in junior Archie Lewis and senior Mario Yakoo. Both are established in every facet of blocking, with Lewis shutting down pass rushers on the left, and Yakoo patrolling the right side. Neither are insanely athletic but make plays when they need to and are established veterans. Senior Steven Baggett returns to lock down one guard slot, while Travis Averill is the favorite on the other side. Both are great run blockers, and McNichols should have big holes to run through with them leading the charge. Up the middle, Boise is searching for a new center with last year's stater Marcus Henry, moving on. Mason Hampton is the favorite to replace Henry, but will face stiff competition from a number of other young guys. Depth in this unit shouldn't be much of an issue, with a number of linemen being able to help out. Guys like sophomore Andres Preciado and Auburn transfer Will Adams are going to get snaps at multiple positions. Expect newcomers like Kole Bailey (Twin Falls, Idaho) and Donte Harrington to possibly receive redshirts and likely learn from some of these veterans.

Defensive Line: There was hope this past winter that Kamalei Correa may stay for his final season in Boise, and not ditch Idaho for the bright lights of the NFL. However, Correa ended up leaving which appeared to be a smart decision, as he was drafted in the second round by Baltimore. While things have worked out so far for Correa, the Broncos will sorely miss him. He was never dominant, but the explosive edge rusher did have six sacks this past season, and was only growing bigger and bulkier. The absence of Correa, Tyler Horn and Armand Nance leaves Boise State very weak and inexperienced up front. That isn't a good thing, but that doesn't mean Boise can't still be strong on the defensive line, as talent still remains. Horn and Nance didn't stuff a stat sheet too full either but were disruptive presences, and new guys like Elliot Hoyte will have to step up. Hoyte is a senior defensive end who had 10 tackles in very limited action last season. While there isn't much stats to back it up, Hoyte has loads of talent, and should become quite the reliable defender this year. Senior Sam McCaskill is the likely starter on the end spot opposite of Hoyte, and is slightly more proven. Both McCaskill and Hoyte have good size and bulked up even more in the off season. Up the middle, first year defensive coordinator Andy Avalos will have to replace Nance's tenacity and heart. Expect either sophomore Paul Semons or sophomore David Moa to start at nose tackle. Moa is the favorite, because of his grit and high motor, but various Broncos will likely find ways to contribute. Harsin also did a good job in recruiting and finding talented young pieces to contribute in this unit. None are five-star, Under Armour All-Americans, but there is plenty of talent and potential. Defensive end Kayode Rufai may be the most talented player in Boise State's entire 2016 class and could see snaps early, while fellow end Curtis Weaver arrives from California with plenty of merit.

Linebackers: Not only will the Broncos miss Correa on their defensive line, but they will miss him at the "Stud" linebacker position. Correa's versatility allowed him to play in numerous places all across the front seven, but he was most dangerous and stable at the "Stud" spot, where he played a hybrid end/outside linebacker where he was allowed to run wild. Avalos will be eager to find a player to take over the spot, considering how vital it is to getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Even without Correa and solid Tyler Gray, this group could still be the best group on the team, or at least the defense. Senior Tanner Vallejo is an All-Conference talent who had moments where he was absolutely spectacular. He finished off with 52 tackles, with six of them going for a loss. Although not huge or imposing, Vallejo can lay down the hammer on opponents and is still growing to be a complete linebacker. Senior Ben Weaver led Boise in tackles a year ago and is back to keep up that production this year. Weaver finished off with 63 tackles on the year but made his presence felt in other ways as well. He forced opponents to make mistakes, picking off three passes and recovering two crucial fumbles. Weaver is blessed with terrific range and gets all over the field, and the Broncos will lean on him in coverage. Junior Gabe Perez is hoping to contribute at linebacker, but he could also play at defensive end. Perez missed all of 2015 due to injury, and was very limited in the spring. While Boise State will hope to have the talented run stopper back in action, they won't rush him. Sophomore Jabril Frazier has the chance to be really good in 2016, after oozing with potential last season. Frazier is another guy that is plays in the end/linebacker hybrid role, and he could even lock down the "Stud" spot. He showed that he could get to the quarterback last year, with 2.5 sacks as a reserve. Despite the fact Correa got after the quarterback, Boise didn't get much of a pass rush on the quarterback, something that has a staple of their defense during their glory years here. They could certainly turn to Frazier to be that explosive guy off the edge that plays with fearlessness. Senior middle linebacker Darren Lee is going to fight for snaps and brings a proven tackler, while there is plenty of depth at the outside linebacker positions.

Secondary: Boise State is not immune to losses in their back-end either, as safety Darian Thompson is gone. Much like Correa, Thompson will be playing on Sundays after he was selected in Round 3 by the New York Giants, who desperately needed his range and playmaking. Thompson proved to be a valuable asset as a run defender and in coverage, but really made his presence felt helping get Boise the ball back, with five interceptions last year. Five interceptions are not easy to replace, but the Broncos have a number of guys that could fill Thompson's shoes, somewhat. Senior Chanceller James is the most talented safety on the roster and the most proven, with 50 tackles and six pass deflections last season. However, sophomore Dylan Summer-Gardner has the chance to be something pretty special. Summer-Gardner hasn't been on campus long but has shown his vast potential in practice and in spring. He has good size and has Thompson's long arms, that allow him to grab the ball and either pick it off or bat it down. He only had 10 tackles last season, but Boise is really excited about what he could be for them. The cornerback spot should be okay, with enough talent back for it to at least not be a serious liability. Senior Jonathan Moxey is going to be the Broncos' No. 1 cornerback. Moxey had 33 tackles and two picks last season and while he does get pushed around a little bit in coverage, he is very solid. Senior Raymond Ford is the likely starter opposite him, and Ford brings plenty of ability to the equation. He is another player that showed great play in spurts last year that Boise State is hoping will become more common in 2016. He had two interceptions in limited duties a year ago, so they know he can make plays. Junior Kameron Miles, once a JUCO transfer, and a wide host of others are going to be seeing action as well, particularly Miles, because of his ball skills and the fact he plays safety.

Special Teams: Having a good kicker is such an underrated asset to contenders, and the Broncos have a star in senior kicker Tyler Rausa. Rausa knocked down 25 of 30 field goals in 2015, with 59 of 61 extra points. Punter should be in good hands with senior Sean Wale, while McNichols could take over a large role in the return game.

Last season was a transition year in Boise and while they were incredibly young, 9-4 was still a little bit disappointing, considering the Mountain Division is not a division of heavyweights. Expect the Broncos to see major improvements in that win total, behind the big arm of Rypien and the pure speed of McNichols and Sperbeck. The questions will be defensively, where they have a new coordinator and lose plenty of proven talent. Vallejo and Weaver can help lead things, but it is still a defense that will need a lot of pieces to step up. The schedule is no easy breeze, but there isn't a really brutal part of it. BYU is a tough non-conference team, and Washington State will test their secondary. Oregon State should be a victory, while sneaky Louisiana-Lafayette loses some guys. Overall, Boise State should be a solid football team across the board this year. They should battle with San Diego State for conference supremacy and if things go right, get back to their second New Year's Six Bowl in Harsin's third year.

College Football Preview 2015-2016: 23. Boise State Broncos

Thomas Sperbeck

23. Boise State Broncos

2014-2015 Record: 12-2 (7-1 Mountain West)
Coach: Bryan Harsin, 2nd year (12-2 overall)
Schedule
Roster
Recruiting Rundown
Key Losses: RB Jay Ajayi, QB Grant Hedrick
Heisman Hopeful: WR/RB Shane Williams-Rhodes
Breakout Player: RB Jeremy McNichols

Life after Chris Petersen was a scary thought for years in Boise, Idaho, as Broncos fans lived in fear that the coveted coach would eventually skip town to a BCS school. Petersen eventually would leave to Washington, but the winning in Boise didn't stop. Under former Arkansas State head coach Bryan Harsin, the Broncos won 12 games and did their usual crashing of big-time football programs, by thoroughly punishing Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl in the first year of the College Football Playoff era. Tailback Jay Ajayi left a year early for the riches and bright lights of the NFL, and quarterback Grant Hedrick graduated, hurting the Broncos' offense, which was wonderful last season. Even so, Harsin once more has the talent returning to win the Mountain West and lead the Broncos right back to a big-time bowl, where they can wreak even more havoc.

Backfield: Hedrick showed off an amazing array of talents in his lone season as starter in 2014-2015. He threw for 3,696 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also showing off his dual threat abilities, running for 592 yards. His departure certainly hurts, but Harsin has options waiting in the wings. Sophomore Ryan Finley is the most experienced returning QB. Finley threw 27 times last season, but completed just 12 of them. If Finley doesn't prove himself the clear starter, incoming freshman Brett Rypien could overtake the veteran. Rypien is certainly the gem of the 2015 recruiting class for Boise, a four-star prospect out of Spokane, Washington who chose the Broncos over Washington and other Pac-12 schools. Finley has the edge only because of slightly better experience, but Rypien has the accuracy and potential to become quite the quarterback in offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz's system. After running for 1,823 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, Jay Ajayi decided it was time to test the pro waters. He was selected in the fifth round of the Draft by Miami, and has a chance to see plenty of action with Lamar Miller this next year. That type of production is not easily replaced, but there is reason to believe that sophomore Jeremy McNichols could put together a breakout season. Unlike Ajayi, a powerful runner with considerable size, McNichols is smaller and quicker. At 5'9", the sophomore is always ready for a big play. Receiving 17 attempts behind Ajayi and others, McNichols ran for 159 yards, an average of 9.4 yards per carry. Joining McNichols in the backfield will be redshirt junior Devan Demas, who ran for 173 yards and 2 scores last year. Demas is a little bit more of a physical runner than McNichols, but neither are the bulldozer that Ajayi proved to be throughout last season. But, for an offense that loves to spread the ball around and has a lot of speed, they fit in nearly perfectly.

Receivers: Not only was Ajayi an excellent runner, he was one of the Broncos' top receivers. The back proved to have wonderful hands, reeling in 50 catches for 535 yards and four scores. But, let's move on from the obvious Ajayi-will-be-missed theme here. Boise still has a number of weapons returning in the passing game, including junior Thomas Sperbeck. Sperbeck was the leading receiver on the team a season ago, picking up 877 yards. While not the biggest guy on the field, Sperbeck has proven to be an exceptional route runner and has great hands. Not having Ajayi to work underneath routes may hurt Sperbeck and the other Bronco receivers on deep routes and over the top, but they will figure things out. Senior Shane Williams-Rhodes is perhaps the team's top returning playmaker and could be in line for a monster year. Williams-Rhodes had 68 receptions and 585 yards last season as a receiver, but also proved just how dangerous he could be in other aspects. On flanker reverses and jet sweeps, Williams-Rhodes rushed for 179 yards on 15 carries, averaging nearly 12 yards per carry. Williams-Rhodes is 5'6", a shifty veteran who is lightning on a bottle and can score any moment he touches the ball. Players like that are becoming more common every single year in college football, but Williams-Rhodes is even more explosive than most. He could easily be the most entertaining player to watch in the Mountain West this season. Also back to help guide Finley or someone else at quarterback will be junior Chaz Anderson, a solid weapon in the passing game. Anderson is also very fast with proven hands. A trio of Sperbeck, Williams-Rhodes and Anderson gives opposing defenses real problems, with the mix of experience, reliability and pure explosiveness. While not having Ajayi is clearly a problem, those three alone should help keep this offense among the nation's elite and most exciting to watch. At tight end, the Broncos bring back an impact weapon in redshirt sophomore Jake Roh. Roh is a decent blocker, but certainly excels more as a receiver. Roh recorded 408 receiving yards in 2014-2015 along with two touchdowns, and averaged over 11 yards per reception. He is very quick for a tight end, often too quick for linebackers in coverage. But, at 6'3" he is often too big and physical for defensive backs, making him the perfect mix of speed and size and a dangerous option through the air. Senior Holden Huff will also see opportunities through the air at tight end. Not an incredibly gifted pass catcher, Huff does most of his damage in the red zone, where he is extremely effective.

Bowl Predictions 2014-2015: New Orleans Bowl to Miami Beach Bowl

Cody Fajardo

New Orleans Bowl: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, on December 20th
Nevada Wolfpack (7-5) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (8-4)

Two of the nation's most underrated quarterbacks, Nevada senior Cody Fajardo and Lafayette's Terrance Broadway, will hope to kick off bowl season with a bang. Fajardo, a four-year starter for Nevada, has even drawn comparisons to former Wolfpack star Collin Kaepernick, though his arm is not anywhere close to the level of Kaepernick. Fajardo has accounted for 31 total touchdowns this year, 18 through the air and 13 with his legs and his dangerous mobility will almost certainly cause an inconsistent Lafayette defense some major problems. The Ragin' Cajuns will also bring a scary rushing offense to the equation led by Broadway and the two-headed monster of Alonzo Harris and Elijah McGuire. Much like Fajardo, Broadway is about as dangerous as they come as a runner, gifted with superb agility and speed, but his arm is something to be desired. When pressured, he is prone to mistakes, especially when flushed out of the pocket, considering his arm is not strong enough to make good throws on the run. McGuire and Harris beat up on Arkansas State's rush defense earlier in the year, with McGuire having a huge day, accounting for 265 yards and four scores. While Broadway, McGuire and Harris should lead the way for a dangerous ULL offense, the defense has evidently struggled. The defense allowed 533 yards of total offense to a very pedestrian Louisiana Tech team earlier in the year and they've constantly struggled against quicker, more up-tempo teams. Though, the Ragin' Cajuns have on other thing working very much in the favor: their ability to win in New Orleans. Head coach Mark Hudspeth and Lafayette have won three straight games here. Even with an inconsistent defense, their offense has the talent to make up for it.
Louisiana-Lafayette, 40 Nevada, 31

Gildan New Mexico Bowl: University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 20th
Utah State Aggies (9-4) vs. UTEP Miners (7-5)

Another injury to star quarterback Chuckie Keeton once more threatened Utah State's season. But, led by a stout defense and methodical offense, the Aggies managed to win nine games and earn a bowl berth against a sneaky 7-5 UTEP team. The Aggies' defense will almost certainly be challenged by a pretty explosive Miners' offense led by gunslinger Jammeil Showers, once the starter at Texas A&M over Johnny Manziel. UTEP also has a great back in sophomore Aaron Jones, who makes plays as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Jones has enjoyed the luxury of playing some weak defenses in the offensive-minded Conference USA, and it will interesting to see how effective he is against a Utah State rush defense that includes the tough and rangy Vigil brothers, Zach and Nick. Though, considering the Aggies just allowed 229 yards on the ground to Jay Ajayi of Boise State a couple weeks ago, maybe that rush defense is not as good as previously thought. If the rush defense does not find itself Showers will be forced to throw a lot, something that is relatively worrying for the Miners. While Showers is a good quarterback, he will still attempt to do too much, evidenced when he helped orchestrate a five-turnover night for the Miners in a 52-point loss to Louisiana Tech. If Utah State can contain Showers and Jones, they have a smart, strong offense that won't turn the ball over much. Freshman LaJuan Hunt has done an admirable job taking over the lead back role from more experienced Jojo Natson. While UTEP has a ton of momentum, considering they have improved from a disastrous 2-10 in 2013-2014 to a very respectable 7-5 this year, they will be tested by a very tough Utah State team. If the defense contains some of the Miners' playmakers, the Aggies should win comfortably.
Utah State, 28 UTEP, 14

College Football Preview 2014-2015: Previewing the Non-Power Five Conferences

Deontay Greenberry

American Athletic Conference
Rankings 
 
 
1. UCF
2. Cincinnati
3. Houston
4. East Carolina
5. SMU
6. Temple
7. Memphis
8. UConn
9. Tulane
10. Tulsa
11. South Florida


Top Players to Watch:
Terrance Plummer, LB, UCF
The senior was an All-AAC player a year ago and should lead a fantastic Central Florida defense. He moves exceptionally well and is gifted with incredible instincts.
Deontay Greenberry, WR, Houston
Expect the Cougars to throw the ball all around the field this year, with Greenberry and quarterback John O'Korn returning. Greenberry is extremely fast and should be a very scary deep threat this season.
Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane
A big reason for the Green Wave's surprising 7-6 mark in 2013 was Doss, an All-Conference USA corner a year ago. He picked off seven passes last year and is one of the nation's elite shutdown cornerbacks.



Rakeem Cato

Conference USA
Rankings:
East Division

1. Marshall
2. Western Kentucky
3. Middle Tennessee
4. Old Dominion
5. Florida Atlantic
6. UAB
7. Florida International

West Division

1. North Texas
2. UTSA
3. Rice
4. Louisiana Tech
5. UTEP
6. Southern Mississippi

Top Players to Watch:
Rakeem Cato, QB, Marshall
Cato has put up huge numbers so far in his Marshall career, and he should do much the same in 2013. He has a huge arm and is a dual threat, he could be a dark horse Heisman candidate if Marshall runs the table or wins the conference.

Cyril Lemon, OG, North Texas
The three-year starter for the Mean Green is extremely durable and hard-working. The senior isn't the biggest player on the field but he is very mobile and he is extremely powerful.

Taylor Heinicke, QB, Old Dominion
Heinicke, the Walter Payton Award winner in 2012 (award given to best FCS offensive player) has the talent to keep the Monarchs in the mix in their first full year in FBS football. He has thrown for career marks of 11,483 yards and 102, while completing 70% of his passes.

Conference USA Championship: Marshall over North Texas

MAC
Rankings:

Jawon Chisholm

East Division

1. Bowling Green
2. Buffalo
3. Akron
4. Ohio
5. Kent State
6. Miami (Ohio)
7. UMass

West Division

1. Northern Illinois
2. Toledo
3. Ball State
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Western Michigan

Top Players to Watch:
Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green
In new head coach Dino Babers' air raid offense, Johnson should put up huge numbers. He has the strong arm, smarts and mobility to give defenses serious fits.

Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan
The senior playmaker is a talent you rarely see inside the MAC. He has a scary mix of size (6'2", 190 pounds) and speed to really have a fantastic final season in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Jawon Chisholm, RB, Akron
Now a senior, Chisholm has been a playmaker for the Zips for years. Last season, the playmaker ran for 869 yards and caught 27 passes, proving that he can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. If he can stay healthy, Chisholm could compete for Offensive Player of the Year honors.

MAC Championship: Bowling Green over Northern Illinois

Mountain West
Rankings:

West Division

Chuckie Keeton

1. San Diego State
2. Fresno State
3. UNLV
4. Nevada
5. San Jose State
6. Hawaii

Mountain Division

1. Utah State
2. Boise State
3. Colorado State
4. New Mexico
5. Wyoming
6. Air Force

Top Players to Watch:
Chuckie Keeton, QB, Utah State
Keeton could have put up huge numbers last year before a knee injury sidelined him for the last eight games of 2013. Now healthy, Keeton's huge arm and his plethora of options makes him a dark horse for the Heisman.

Derron Smith, S, Fresno State
The senior free safety is an elite playmaker; he has picked off 14 career interceptions, the FBS' active leader. He is also a dangerous blitzer who will be very disruptive in 2014.

Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State
The talented junior linebacker does it all. In 2013, he recorded 82 tackles, 13 tackles for loss along with five sacks. He leads a talented linebacker corps that also includes the two Vigil brothers, Nick and Zach.

Terrance Broadway

Mountain West Championship: Utah State over San Diego State

Sun Belt
Rankings:

1. Louisiana-Lafayette
2. Arkansas State
3. Troy
4. South Alabama
5. Texas State
6. Louisiana-Monroe
7. Georgia Southern
8. Appalachian State
9. Idaho
10. Georgia State
11. New Mexico State

Top Players to Watch:
Wes Saxton, TE, South Alabama
Saxton will be South Alabama's most dangerous weapon this year after a strong 2013. The 6'4", 240 pound playmaker is not only an exceptional blocker but also has receivers' hands and superb speed.

Terrance Broadway, QB, Louisiana-Lafayette
Few quarterbacks in the history of the Sun Belt are as talented as Broadway, a dual threat who is so tough to stop. He threw for 2,419 yards and ran for 442 more, while completing over 62 percent of his passes.

Michael Orakpo, LB, Texas State
Orakpo was terrific a year ago, and he might only grow as a pass rusher this season. He picked up 4.5 sacks and 71 tackles in 2013 but has looked stronger this spring. He will be a monster this season for the Bobcats.

College Football Preview: All-American Team

First Team
QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
RB Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona

Shayne Skov

WR Marqise Lee, USC
WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
OL Taylor Lewan, Michigan
OL Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
OL Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma
OL Weston Richburg, Colorado State
OL David Yankey, Stanford
DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
DT Will Sutton, Arizona State
DT Louis Nix, Notre Dame
DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
LB Anthony Barr, UCLA
LB Shayne Skov, Stanford
CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
S Ed Reynolds, Stanford
S Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State
Second Team
QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State
RB Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
RB Todd Gurley, Georgia

Braxton Miller

WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
TE Nick O'Leary, Florida State
OL Anthony Steen, Alabama
OL Cyril Richardson, Baylor
OL Bryan Stork, Florida State
OL James Hurt, UNC
OL La'El Collins, LSU
DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State
DT Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
DT Anthony Johnson, LSU
DE Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
LB Kyle Van Noy, BYU
LB Chris Borland, Wisconsin
LB Trent Murphy, Stanford
CB Quandre Diggs, Texas
CB Jason Verrett, TCU
S HaHa Clinton-Dix, Alabama
S Hakeem Smith, Louisville

Others to Watch:
QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland
S Craig Loston, LSU
LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
RB/WR Dri Archer, Kent State

Impressions on Coaches Preseason Poll

View full poll here

It is no surprise to see the Crimson Tide top the nation once more. They are the

A.J. McCarron, Alabama

overwhelming favorite to win a third straight national title and fourth in five years thanks to the return of QB A.J. McCarron, wide receiver Amari Cooper and a dominant defense. If they can get through the rematch against Texas A&M early in the year they should definitely run the table.

Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford and Georgia finished off the rest of the Top 5. The Buckeyes have possibly the nation's best player in junior quarterback Braxton Miller and an easy schedule. Michigan is always a test, and Devin Gardner should be completely comfortable by then but the Buckeyes should still get a win. Oregon is a little bit agressive at No.3 in my opinion. Sure their offense will still be dangerous with the returns of sophomore Marcus Mariota, electric junior De'Anthony Thomas and tight end Colt Lyerla. But, they have to break in a new coach, their defense lost a ton of leadership and the Pac 12 North is brutal (Stanford, Washington, Oregon State). Stanford's defense should carry them to the national championship game even with a young quarterback. They should remind a lot of people of 2012 Notre Dame. Aaron Murray and coach Mark Richt have won a lot of games throughout their relationship but they have yet to break through. The team was a couple of yards away from a national championship appearance after outplaying Alabama for 60 minutes. After that loss, questions have started to emerge about Richt's ability to win big games.

Louisville settled down at the No. 9 spot, the only American Athletic team in the Top 25. They have a legitimate chance at running the table thanks to a weak conference and average non-conference schedule. It will be probably be a magical year for Louisville. Teddy Bridgewater will compete for the Heisman then be a high NFL pick. The Cardinals will cruise into a BCS bowl maybe even higher honors. And Charlie Strong, despite the fact he did just sign an extension, should get plenty of big-time offers.

I think Boise really likes the fact that they are No. 19. This is a team, that on paper, is Top 10 caliber. With the lower rating the Broncos can sneak up on people which is becoming hard considering their recent success. Senior QB Joe Southwick should improve in big ways after a mediocre first year as starter. Matt Miller is the best receiver in the Mountain West, Kellen Moore's brother, Kirby, is an exciting threat and this defense now has leadership and talent everywhere. Boise's schedule isn't a complete breeze; they do face a tough Washington team, Fresno State and a dark horse Utah State squad but they definitely have the look of a BCS buster.

Some notable teams that were snubbed from the poll include: Baylor, Kansas State, Miami, Ole Miss, Fresno State and Michigan State. Baylor has the looks of a dangerous offensive threat but their defense should take big steps. If K-State finds a quarterback, with their great receivers and proven back John Hubert they will fight for another Big 12 crown. Miami has an impressive offense led by Stephen Morris, Duke Johnson and Phillip Dorsett and is in the easy ACC Coastal Division. Ole Miss will compete even in the scary SEC thanks to the return of QB Bo Wallace, back Jeff Scott, linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche and their infamous 2013 recruiting class. Fresno will put up a lot of points with the return of Derek Carr and Davante Adams and Michigan State's defense should be stout.

College Football Preview: Mountain West

Brett Smith, Wyoming

All Mountain West Team
QB Derek Carr, Fresno State
RB Tim Cornett, UNLV
RB Kasey Carrier, New Mexico
WR Davante Adams, Fresno State
WR Matt Miller, Boise State
OL Weston Richburg, Colorado State
OL Matt Paradis, Boise State
OL Charles Leno, Boise State
OL Tyler Larsen, Utah State
OL Austin Wentworth, Fresno State
DE Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
DT Tyeler Davison, Fresno State
DT Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Boise State
DE Brock Hekking, Nevada
LB Jake Fely, San Diego State
LB Zach Vigil, Utah State
LB Tyler Gray, Boise State
CB Shaq Bell, Colorado State
CB Sean Alston, Fresno State
S Derron Smith, Fresno State
S Nat Berhe, San Diego State

Conference Realignment for Mountain West: After snagging long time WAC members Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii earlier, the Mountain West continued to pick up former members of the now defunct conference. This year they will add two rising programs in Utah State and San Jose State, both who won 11 games in 2012. With the addition of the Aggies and Spartans the league increases to a 12 team, two-division conference. Boise, Utah State, Air Force, Wyoming, Colorado State and New Mexico will form the Mountain Division. Fresno, SDSU, San Jose State, Nevada, UNLV and Hawaii form the West Division.

Mountain

1. Boise State Broncos National Rank: 12
Boise went 11-2 last season even when breaking in a new quarterback, some new receivers and replacing most of the defense. Joe Southwick returns at quarterback after a solid 2012 and forms a great combo with senior wide out Matt Miller. The return of some other great receivers include senior tight end Gabe Linehan and Kirby Moore. The defense is also great with the return of end Demarcus Lawrence, linebacker Tyler Gray and safety Jeremy Ioane. Even with some holes it is Boise, who has gone 84-8 in the Chris Petersen era, and they are in a weak conference meaning they could sneak into a BCS bowl.

2. Utah State Aggies National Rank: Unranked
Gary Andersen is off to Wisconsin but new head coach Matt Wells still has the talent to win even in a tougher conference. Junior quarterback Chuckie Keeton returns and is one of the most underrated players in the nation. The dual threat had a total of 35 touchdowns and completed 68 percent of his passes. The Aggies had a shutdown year on defense and junior linebacker Zach Vigil returns to that unit.

3. Wyoming Cowboys National Rank: Unranked
The Cowboys had a pretty disappoint 2012 as they went from a 8-5 mark in 2011 to a 4-8 record last season. Junior QB Brett Smith enters his third year as starter and has proven he can give opposing defenses issues. Senior back Brandon Miller is very versatile, as he can be a threat on the ground and also has great hands out of the backfield. If Wyoming wants to get back to a bowl the defense has to get pressure on opponents as they had just 14 sacks last year, the worst in the conference.

4. Air Force Falcons National Rank: Unranked
Head coach Troy Calhoun returns for his seventh year and brings back his tricky triple-option attack. He has the tools to have a domiant offense with the return of junior quarterback Kale Pearson who is ready to step into a bigger role. Senior back Anthony LaCoste and junior Broam Hart should make a lot of plays. The Falcons have proven that they can stop the pass thanks to safety Christian Spears and cornerback Steffon Batts but their rush defense was pretty weak throughout 2012. That is an issue with all the talented backs inside this conference (Adam Muema, Tim Cornett, Chris Nwoke, Kasey Carrier and more).

5. Colorado State Rams National Rank: Unranked
The Rams record only improved by one win in Jim McElwain's firt year in Fort Collins but they played a ton better than the 2011 season. 15 starters return along with the conference's best backfield and an improving defense. Sophomore Donnell Alexander and senior Chris Nwoke lead the ground attack and center Weston Richburg should also help. There is a quarterback competition as McElwain must decide between junior Garrett Grayson and Conner Smith both who have expansive skill sets. The defense is led by a fantastic coverage cornerback Shaq Bell and sophomore linebacker Cory James who had 7.5 sacks last season.

6. New Mexico Lobos National Rank: Unranked
The Lobos averaged one win the past three years before last year's 4-9 mark. Bob Davie's team even looked like they could challenge for a bowl as they started off 4-4 in 2012 before suffering five straight losses. The passing game should be an issue this year as the Lobos will be forced to rely on sophomore Cole Gautsche who had just 42 percent accuracy last season, and New Mexico also lost their top two receivers. The air attack won't be great but the ground game should be with the return of senior back Kasey Carrier who had 14 touchdowns last year and also averaged 128.2 yards per game.

West

1. Fresno State Bulldogs National Rank: 25
Fresno's first year in the Mountain West was a huge success as the Bulldogs went from a 4-9 record to a 9-4 one in 2012. Senior quarterback Derek Carr might sneak into the Heisman race after an amazing junior year in which he had 4,104 passing yards and 37 touchdowns and was named the MWC's Offensive Player of the Year. He has one of the nation's most explosive receivers in sophomore Davante Adams who can make plays down the field, to throw to. The Bulldogs can put up a lot of points (37.9 per game in 2012) but their defense isn't too bad either. Safety Derron Smith can change games and junior Sean Alston had five interceptions last season.

2. San Jose State Spartans National Rank: Unranked
It seems like it was a while ago that the Spartans were the embarrassment of the WAC. Last year San Jose State went 11-2, won a bowl, finished last year in the Top 25 and are picked by many to challenge for a Mountain West title. Coach Mike McIntyre is off to Colorado but enough talent remains for the Spartans to match last year's win total. Senior QB David Fales is a true talent and he has some fantastic receivers to throw to including senior Noel Grigsby and junior Jabari Carr. The defense also has talent with the return of linemen Travis Raciti and All-WAC cornerback Bene Benwikere.

3. San Diego State Aztecs National Rank: Unranked
After flirting with the Big East along with Boise State the Aztecs return to the Mountain West hoping to win their second straight conference crown. SDSU returns a solid core with the return of junior back Adam Muema and junior quarterback Adam Dingwell. Though it remains to be seen whether Dingwell can adjust to new offensive coordinator Bob Toledo's offense, which will be up-tempo and a pass first attack. Part of the Aztecs' success the past few years has been a great defense and that shouldn't change this year either thanks to the return of middle linebacker Jake Fely and strong safety Nat Berhe.

4. Nevada Wolfpack National Rank: Unranked
Long-time coach Chris Ault is now gone and will be replaced by Brian Polian who will still run Ault's infamous Pistol offense. Junior QB Cody Fajardo returns after rushing for 1,121 yards which should definitely help this ground game after the Wolfpack lose Stefphon Jefferson who led the Mountain West in 2012. Fajardo isn't just a runner; he also can make some great throws and has some great targets including Brandon Wimberly. If the Wolfpack want to reach another bowl they must fix a weak defense, one that allowed 211.8 yards on the ground a year ago. Junior end Brock Hekking had eight sacks last year and is a constant disruptive force.

5. Hawaii Warriors National Rank: Unranked
Last year's 3-9 mark made sense; the Warriors were joining a new, tougher conference, were breaking in a new QB, coach and offense and had little overall talent. Norm Chow enters his second season as head coach at Hawaii and has the talent to improve. Junior back Joey Iosefa returns to lead an evolving rush attack and senior wide out Billy Ray Stutzmann returns to help out whoever the quarterback will be. Junior Ohio State transfer Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins should battle for the job. The Warriors played 32 first time starters and six true freshman so more action will help the Warriors out.

6. UNLV Rebels National Rank: Unranked
The Rebels may have their best team in years so the fact I am still predicting them last in the West shows how bad they have been the past couple of years. This team should be much improved with the returns of sophomore Nick Sherry and senior Tim Cornett. Cornett is one of the Mountain West's best backs but it is unknown if he will be ready for the season opener against Minnesota due to shoulder issues. Along with Cornett in the backfield, UNLV has a dangerous threat in Northwestern transfer Adonis Smith. Cornett is a power back while Smith makes plays with his speed and agility. Senior linebacker Tani Maka had 70 tackles last season and all four defensive linemen return.

College Football Preview: 25. Fresno State Bulldogs

25. Fresno State Bulldogs

New head coach Tim DeRuyter orchestrated a quick turnaround in Fresno State's first year in the Mountain West, improving from a 4-9 mark to a a 9-4 record. Their star quarterback returns along with a talented group of receivers and a great defense. Even in the improving Mountain West, Fresno should reach the conference's first ever championship game.

Backfield: It may hard to believe but quarterback Derek Carr could be even better than his brother, David, who was the first pick in the history of the Houston Texans. Derek threw for 4,104 yards and 37 touchdown passes in 2012 and is a a dark horse Heisman threat. Carr, a talented senior, has a huge arm and can make all the throws, from deep passes to short, intermediate passes. Carr has also proven that he has good pocket awareness and he is just as good of a NFL prospect as his brother. Fantastic running back Robbie Rouse is gone

Derek Carr

after rushing for 1,490 yards last year. Sophomore Marteze Waller should be the top candidate to replace Rouse after only getting 41 carries last year. He is small and quick a lot of Rouse but Rouse was a little bit more powerful. Freshman quarterback Zack Greenlee was an in-state find who is the quarterback of the future in Fresno.

Receivers: The return of sophomore Davante Adams was huge for the Bulldogs. Adams was Carr's favorite target throughout 2012, picking 102 receptions and racking up 14 touchdowns. Adams who set multiple records for a freshman is always a deep threat and has great of blend of smarts and speed. Also back is the playmaking senior Isaiah Burse who can hurt defenses in a number of ways. Burse has great hands and finds ways to seperate himself from defensive backs and he can make plays. Burse also is a force on special teams as he can help in punting and kickoff returns. Massive junior Victor Dean returns after a solid 2012 in which he had 30 receptions and 2 touchdowns. He uses his 6-6 frame to dominate defenders on jump balls and contested passes. The return of another big threat in tight end Marcel Jensen who can move the chains might help Carr and this team just as much as the return of Adams. Jensen has pretty good hands, is a quality blocker and is very durable. Freshman Delvon Hardaway, who is from LA, isn't the fastest player on the field (4.91 40-yard dash) but he just finds ways to make an impact.

Offensive Line: Part of the reason for Carr's dominance and the success of Rouse was the great offensive line. The Bulldogs should rely heavily on All-Mountain West tackle Austin Wentworth. The senior is very athletic but he isn't small; he is 6-5, 300 pounds with long arms and long legs. Also returning is another linemen with experience in junior Lars Bramer who anchors this line. Bramer who should likely start at center is a lot like Wentworth. He is pretty athletic for his position and he recognizes pass rushers well. Massive junior guard Cody Wichmann has the potential and size to be a force but experiene is an issue for him. JUCO tackle Josh Tremblay, from American River College in Sacremento will be counted on to make impact.

Defensive Line: The Bulldogs will run a 3-4 defense this year and those three possess pass rushers and run stoppers. Junior nose guard Tyeler Davison returns to fill running lanes. The 311 pound beast had 3 sacks last year but is versatile as he also proved that he can really help in the rush defense, recording 7 tackles in wins over San Diego State and New Mexico. On the end Fresno will rely on senior Andy Jennings who is incredibly quick to the ball. He has good moves and is extremely athletic which has helped him become a force over his career. On the other end spot the Bulldogs also have a very athletic senior in Nikko Motta who isn't very big but he has incredible instincts. Massive JUCO transfer Claudell Louis has proven that he can play a number of different roles. This unit combined for 11.5 sacks and it has the experience, smarts and faces some weak offensive lines in the Mountain West to increase that number. Freshman end Jaylen Ruiz might end up at either end or tackle but he has the size and strength to be a pass rusher wherever he ends up.

Linebackers: Senior linebacker Patrick Su'a returns after a solid 2012 season. The experienced talent doesn't wow you in any areas; he isn't extremely fast and isn't much of a pass rusher but he has a force during the first half of last season, picking up 38 tackles in seven games and he also had two sacks. The rest of this unit is also experienced with the return of seniors Nat Harrison and Jeremiah Toma. While Su'a made an impact early in the year last season Toma started playing fantastic to end the season. Toma has a nose for the ball and has very good range though he has some holes in his game. Harrison also has fantastic range but he struggled to make much of an impact throughout last season. Also returning is junior Donavon Lewis who has the biggest potential. Lewis is a great tackler who can hit hard and make a variety of different plays.

Secondary: Fresno may have the most talented secondary in the Mountain West even with the loss of impact defensive back Phillip Thomas. Junior Derron Smith returns to start at the free safety position after a 2012 in which he recorded 6 interceptions. Smith is quick and agile and is always a big play threat no matter what the offense throws at him. At cornerback the Bulldogs return another pick machine in junior Sean Alston who had five last year. Alston sticks to receivers and is very good at jumping routes. Alston isn't too big but he does have the size to still make an impact. The other cornerback position is also in good hands with the return of senior L.J. Jones. He can make an impact in a lot of different ways as he can force turnovers and also swat down balls. The strong safety slot should be handled by sophomore Charles Washington who has the talent to have a big year. He also forces turnovers and is a hard hitter. Yet another JUCO transfer, safety Rodney Matthews will be counted on to play a lot of snaps from the beginning.

With a very dangerous passing game the Bulldogs should be able to score a ton of points every game. Their secondary and solid pass rushers should help Fresno compete for their first Mountain West crown and possibly become a BCS buster.

College Football Preview: 12. Boise State Broncos

12. Boise State Broncos

Last season even without Kellen Moore and a number of other important pieces the Broncos won 11 games. With the return of quarterback Joe Southwick and the maturity of a number of players the Broncos have the talent to be once more BCS busters. If they can get past a couple of tough Mountain West games a BCS bowl could still be on the horizon.


Backfield: Southwick wasn't great in 2012 but he should really improve his senior year. He was smart and accurate through much of last season completing 66.8 percent of his throws. Though he wasn't much of a downfield threat and

Joe Southwick

 didn't feel out pressure well. Those both should take big leaps in '13. The Broncos must replace D.J. Harper and his 15 touchdowns at the running back spot. Sophomore Jay Ajayi is the leading candidate to replace Harper. With Southwick more of a threat Boise won't have to lean too much on their ground game which is definitely a good thing for Ajayi. Freshman Aaron Baltazar and sophomore Jack Fields should get their fair share of carries.

Receivers: Junior Matt Miller returns to make a fabulous duo with Southwick that should give defensive coordinators headaches. Miller was always a threat to make big plays after recording 66 receptions a year ago, averaging 11.7 yards per catch. He is a very psychical receiver who makes catches in traffic but also has the speed to beat defensive backs down the field. Senior Kirby Moore also returns after a strong season in 2012. He also makes plays in traffic but he doesn't have the home-run ability that Miller possesses at times. Another senior, Aaron Burks, will finally get the chance to prove himself after years of sitting on the bench. 5-10 junior Dallas Burroughs has game-breaking speed and has the potential to be the next big thing in Boise. Although he had some issues with drops last year he was pretty effective. The tight end position is in good hands with sophomore Holden Huff and senior Gabe Linehan. Both are important pieces to their teams as both are Southwick's security blankets. They have good hands and constantly pick up tough yards.

Matt Miller

Offensive Line: Throughout the years Boise has had great offensive lines, something that might change this season. Senior tackle Charles Leno returns after a great '12 year. He has great leadership abilities and is extremely athletic constantly able to move to pick up additional pass rushers. The only other returner on the line is senior center Matt Paradis. He is smart and can find and push around rushing tacklers and he was a big part of breaking in Southwick. Although there are some new starters on the line they are very experienced with two seniors, Jake Broyles and Spencer Gerke, starting at the guard spots. Both are big and great at opening up running lanes which should help develop Ajayi. Even with some good experience and proven studs in Paradis and Leno the Broncos don't have much depth so they will have to rely on some redshirts and upperclassmen.

Defensive Line: This appears to be the real strength of the Boise State defense. Junior Demarcus Lawrence is one of the best pass rushers in the Mountain West and even the nation. Lawrence had 9.5 sacks in 2012 and he only played 11 games meaning that 9.5 should go up. He uses his very athletic body to constantly disrupt opposing squad's backfields. Another junior, Beau Martin, has the chance to start at the other end or maybe be a quality backup to Lawrence. With Lawrence wreaking havoc on the perimeter teams should struggle to run up the middle as well. Nose guard Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe doesn't just have a cool name; he is also a great player. He can some backs from getting any easy yards but also is quick enough to get after them before they break the line after recording 4.5 tackles for loss a year ago. Sure to start alongside Tjong-A-Tjoe in the middle is junior Tyler Horn. Horn isn't proven yet though he definitely has the potential to be a great tackle.

Linebackers: For years the Broncos have had some great linebackers and also are tough to run on. Their linebacker corps only includes two due to the way Pete Kwiatkowski runs his defense. Although J.C. Percy and Tommy Smith are both gone the Broncos have a ton of potential at these positions. Sophomore Tyler Gray has the potential to be a great player this year and for years to come. He is quick to the ball and has the chance to mature a lot in 2013. Junior Blake Renaud should also contribute. He also has a nose for the ball and is athletic enough to rack up a bunch of tackles. It appears coach Chris Petersen and staff will rely on a number of freshman to play a lot of snaps immediately. Outside linebacker Gabe Perez is extremely athletic and has the thick, solid frame to push around backs. California product Tanner Vallejo is a tackling machine and should make an impact right away.

Secondary:  It was tough to pass against Boise last season as the Broncos let up just 169.5 yards per game in 2012. That should continue this year with the return of a number of players including safety Jeremy Ioane who is the leading returning tackler this year and picked the ball off 3 times last season. Sophomore Darian Thompson was a great freshman a year ago and will also be tough to pass in the open field. Both Thompson and Ioane combined for 113 tackles in '12. The Broncos also have two great coverage defensive backs in sophomore Donte Deayon and junior Bryan Douglas. Both are quick and tough to beat down the field but they both have a big weakness. Both of these cornerbacks are 5-9 meaning that they can get pushed around by physical receivers and jump balls.

Although this isn't the most talented Broncos team in Boise the fact remains that they are 61-5 the past five years and still are the best team in the Mountain West. This means once more Boise is a double-digit win squad that can find themselves in a great bowl.

Oregon vs. Oklahoma State, Colorado State vs. Missouri Game Previews

5 Oklahoma State vs. 12 Oregon, 4:40 PM ET

Marcus Smart

The disrespected Oregon Ducks (26-8, 12-6 Pac 12) take on an Oklahoma State team with a fantastic freshman in Marcus Smart. Smart has proved he can score anytime he touches the ball and also is a great passer. That should be key against an Oregon team that plays aggressive defense. Not only do the Cowboys possess Smart who does everything on the floor, they have a load of other scoring threats including deadeye shooter Phil Forte, Michael Cobbins and improving sophomore Le'Bryan Nash. Oregon, meanwhile looks to turn their season with point guard Dominic Artis, who has struggled with injuries this year. Artis is the key to the Ducks' offensive success as his speed is important in transition, his smarts are key late in games and his shooting is very big. The Ducks advantage, though, lies in the paint. Oregon has strong Tony Woods to snatch rebounds and score and Arsalan Kazemi has shown he can make big contributions to the team. With very little low post presences to speak of it could end up being Oklahoma State's downfall. This one should be a end to end game as both teams appear pretty evenly matched. The key will be how Smart and the rest of an inexperienced Cowboys' squad performs on the big stage of the NCAA tournament. If the Big 12 Player of the Year plays the way he has all season the Cowboys walk away with the win.
Oklahoma State, 70 Oregon, 63

8 Colorado State vs. 9 Missouri, 9:20 PM ET

Phil Pressey

Colorado State returns to the NCAA tournament after being upset by Murray State in last year's second round. The Rams have relied heavily on center Colton Iverson, who is averaging 14.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. This year, Frank Haith's team finally has the size to deal with the dangerous Iverson after last year's stunning loss to Norfolk State in which Kyle O'Quinn carved them up down low. UConn transfer Alex Oriakhi needs to play the way he did when the Huskies went on their tournament run two years ago. He needs to play big and smart to lead these Tigers. Another key player for Mizzou is point guard Phil Pressey who has proven he can run the offense smoothly. He has also proven at the end of games he'll take crazy shots and commit too many turnovers. Haith needs Pressey to play under control and the rest of these Tigers to play good defense against a Colorado State squad with a lot of scoring threats in the backcourt including Wes Eikmeier who averages nearly 13 points a game. If the Rams out rebound the Tigers like they have against nearly every other opponent in could be a long game for Missouri no matter how many points Pressey, Oriakhi and Laurence Bowers (14.4 points per game) score against CSU's tough defense.
Colorado State, 66 Missouri, 58