Boise State has won two of the last three Mountain West titles. Can the Broncos do it again?
The Mountain West released its preseason predicted order of finish Tuesday, and Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division for the 10th year in a row.
The Broncos received 20 of 21 first-place votes from conference media members. Wyoming earned the remaining first-place vote and was picked to finish second, followed by Air Force.
San Diego State was picked to win the West Division, earning 19 first-place votes. Nevada followed in second, receiving the remaining two first-place votes, and Hawaii was picked third. Check out the full preseason standings below.
Boise State completed an undefeated run through the conference last fall with a win over Hawaii in the Mountain West championship game. The Broncos finished the season 12-2 after a loss to Washington in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Sophomore quarterback Hank Bachmeier returns after going 7-1 as the starter and completing 60 percent of his passes last season.
He’s joined offensively by sophomore running back George Holani, who posted 1,014 rushing yards last fall, and wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who scored 10 total touchdowns a years ago: six receiving, three rushing and one passing.
The Broncos have to replace four starters on the defensive line, including sack leader Curtis Weaver. They have plenty of experience on the back end, though, with cornerbacks Jalen Walker and Avery Williams, nickel Kekaula Kaniho and safeties Tyreque Jones, Jordan Happle and JL Skinner all returning after starting games last season.
San Diego State went 10-3 and 5-3 in the conference and finished the season with a 48-11 win over Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl.
The Aztecs have two of the conference’s top defensive backs in safety Tariq Thompson and cornerback Darren Hall. They have to replace quarterback Ryan Agnew, who completed 63 percent of his passes as a senior, but sophomore Carson Baker appears poised to step in after starting last year’s regular-season finale — a 13-3 win over BYU.
On Monday, the Mountain West suspended its virtual media days until further notice. Boise State’s season opener remains scheduled for Sept. 5 at home against Georgia Southern.
2020 Mountain West order of finish
Mountain Division
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Boise State (20) 125
2. Wyoming (1) 90
3. Air Force 86
4. Utah State 60
5. Colorado State 59
6. New Mexico 21
West Division
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
1. San Diego State (19) 122
2. Nevada (2) 100
3. Hawai‘i 74
4. Fresno State 73
5. San José State 43
6. UNLV 29
This story was originally published July 21, 2020 at 1:56 PM.
