Mountain West: A look at Boise State’s opponents

AIR FORCE

Plays Boise State on Nov. 25

Coach: Troy Calhoun

Record: 67-50 (10th season); 67-50 career

Last bowl: 2015 Armed Forces (L, 55-36 vs. California)

Returning starters: 4 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists

Storyline: This could be Calhoun’s most talented team at the academy, getting back starting QB Nate Romine after he tore his ACL in September. Jacobi Owens (1,096 rushing yards) and all-MW defensive backs Weston Steelhammer and Roland Ladipo are back, too. Can they make it three straight wins against Boise State? If so, a division title could be theirs.

COLORADO STATE

Plays at Boise State on Oct. 15

Coach: Mike Bobo

Record: 7-6 (second season); 7-6 career

Last bowl: 2015 Arizona (L, 28-23 vs. Nevada)

Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense, 3 specialists

Storyline: The Rams lose a bulk of their defensive starters off a team that was 106th nationally against the run and created only 15 turnovers. There also is a QB controversy, with three candidates (a senior, junior and true freshman) that Bobo won’t unveil until the opener. Outstanding WR Rashard Higgins departs, too, but the offensive line is among the MW’s best.

NEW MEXICO

Plays Boise State on Oct. 7

Coach: Bob Davie

Record: 18-32 (fifth season); 53-57 career (nine seasons)

Last bowl: 2015 New Mexico (L, 45-37 vs. Arizona)

Returning starters: 5 offense, 10 defense, 2 specialists

Storyline: The Lobos were a feel-good story last season, making their first bowl since 2007 and beating Boise State on the road. The defense improved greatly, allowing 7.5 points and 80 yards per game fewer than 2014, and returns 10 starters. They lose top rusher Jhurell Pressley but return speedy QB Lamar Jordan. UNM has only three true MW road games, getting Air Force on a neutral field.

UTAH STATE

Plays at Boise State on Oct. 1

Coach: Matt Wells

Record: 25-16 (fourth season); 25-16 career

Returning starters: 9 offense, 3 defense, 3 specialists

Storyline: Chuckie Keeton won’t be back for a seventh year, but Kent Myers has extensive experience at QB, plus the Aggies return RB Devante Mays (966 yards last season). However, their defense, which at times was sensational, loses some serious talent in seven of its top eight tacklers, including LBs Nick Vigil and Kyler Fackrell. The Aggies have six new coaches on staff.

WYOMING

Plays Boise State on Oct. 29

Coach: Craig Bohl

Record: 6-18 (third season); 110-50 career (13 seasons)

Last bowl: 2011 New Mexico (L, 35-17 vs. Temple)

Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense, 1 specialist

Storyline: The Cowboys had just nine seniors last season, and it showed. Now with a much more experienced team, they should be more competitive. They boast an NFL-caliber back in junior Brian Hill (1,631 yards last season). For a fourth straight season, there will be a new starting QB (sophomore Josh Allen). The top four tacklers return, but the schedule is tough.

FRESNO STATE

Coach: Tim DeRuyter

Record: 29-23 (fifth season); 29-23 career

Last year: 3-9 overall, 2-6 MW

Last bowl: 2014 Hawaii (L, 30-6 vs. Rice)

Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist

Storyline: The Bulldogs had some brutal luck at quarterback, starting four during the course of last season. Freshman Chason Virgil got a medical redshirt and is the presumed starter, a strong dual-threat presence. Fresno State loses its top rusher and the defense, which yielded 38.1 ppg, loses its best player. All three coordinators are new, too. Looks like a rebuild year.

HAWAII

Plays Boise State on Nov. 12

Coach: Nick Rolovich

Record: 0-0 (first season); 0-0 career

Last year: 3-10 overall, 0-8 MW

Last bowl: 2010 Hawaii (L, 62-35 vs. Tulsa)

Returning starters: 9 offense, 4 defense, 3 specialists

Storyline: An offensive rebirth under Norm Chow never appeared, and in steps Rolovich, a former Warriors QB. He inherits an experienced offense, including 1,000-yard rusher Paul Harris. He’ll slowly incorporate some run-and-shoot concepts that made the offense great a decade ago. The defense yielded 35.6 ppg and is still fairly inexperienced. Expect some high scores.

NEVADA

Coach: Brian Polian

Record: 18-20 (fourth season); 18-20 career

Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-4 MW

Last bowl: 2015 Arizona (W, 28-23 vs. Colorado State)

Returning starters: 9 offense, 5 defense, 0 specialists

Storyline: This could be Polian’s best offense, returning starting QB Tyler Stewart, RB James Butler (1,342 yards last season) and WRs Hasaan Henderson and Jerico Richardson (combined 1,491 yards last season). They’ll need to find plenty of answers on the front seven on defense, losing six starters, but return four starters at defensive back.

SAN DIEGO STATE

Coach: Rocky Long

Record: 43-23 (sixth season); 108-92 career (16 seasons)

Last year: 11-3 overall, 8-0 MW

Last bowl: 2015 Hawaii (W, 42-7 vs. Cincinnati)

Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense, 4 specialists

Storyline: The Aztecs have a ton of talent back, led by Mountain West POY Donnel Pumphrey. Sophomore Christian Chapman is the new starting QB who won’t throw a ton, but has to be accurate. The defense will be nasty after allowing 16.4 ppg last season, returning its top two sack leaders and pass interceptors. It’ll be shocking if they aren’t in the MW title game.

SAN JOSE STATE

Plays at Boise State on Nov. 4

Coach: Ron Caragher

Record: 15-22 (fourth season); 59-44 career (nine seasons)

Last bowl: 2015 Cure (W, 27-16 vs. Georgia State)

Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialists

Storyline: A team trending upward, the Spartans return a solid QB in Kenny Potter and an excellent TE in Billy Freeman (586 yards and six TDs last year). Four starters return on the offensive line, too, but they lose do-everything RB Tyler Ervin. The top three tacklers return to a defense that was No. 2 in the nation against the pass, 102nd against the run.

UNLV

Plays at Boise State on Nov. 18

Coach: Tony Sanchez

Record: 3-9 (second season); 3-9 career

Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialists

Storyline: Coming from the high school ranks, Sanchez’s first season was a success, showing potential with three wins (second most since 2010) and four losses by eight or less. Some talented receivers will help out 245-pound Johnny Stanton, a former Nebraska QB. The defense has some experience, and if it can improve its 457.3 ypg allowed, UNLV may contend for a bowl.

Note: Boise State does not play Western Division teams Fresno State, Nevada and San Diego State this season.

This story was originally published August 28, 2016 at 12:10 AM with the headline "Mountain West: A look at Boise State’s opponents."