By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
The Mountain West, as the most effective Group of 5 convention for not less than another 12 months, will as soon as once more have the within observe to a spot within the Playoff.
Clearly, the AAC might have one thing to say about that, however as we begin the 2025 marketing campaign, it appears seemingly that the winner of the Mountain West can be sitting fairly.
Subsequent 12 months, we can be approaching a season with a totally totally different appear and feel—however that’s a subject for one more day.
So, let’s set the desk for the ultimate season of the MW as we at present realize it.
The convention has some separation on the prime, with a number of groups seemingly standing above the remainder. Past them, the league might not provide a transparent second-tier chief, which ought to make for some thrilling toss-up video games.
Listed here are mini previews for every crew with my predicted order of end.
1. Boise State Broncos
As a lot as issues change, some issues stay the identical. Boise State is poised for one more run on the convention crown and the Playoff beginning that seemingly comes with it.
The Broncos have two large possibilities within the nonconference to make noise this season as properly.
The opener at USF can be a take a look at, but additionally an early likelihood for the MW to go head-to-head with the AAC. The October journey to Notre Dame offers a possibility to shine on the nationwide stage.
Ashton Jeanty has taken his companies to Oakland, however the Bronco offense ought to nonetheless be clicking at a excessive stage.
Maddux Madsen will take the offense on his shoulders and is poised to interrupt out in 2025. He could have numerous assist, although, with a pair of backs carrying the load in Sire Gaines and Malik Sherrod.
The road would be the greatest within the convention, and the receiving crew ought to enhance over its efficiency in 2024. Matt Lauter ought to once more be the highest goal.
The Bronco protection took successful with Andrew Simpson transferring to North Carolina, however the unit can be stable. BSU goes to create strain with Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Sterling Lane coming off the sting.
The again finish of the protection can be an actual energy with Ty Bennefield, Jeremiah Erby, and Davon Banks anchoring a lockdown secondary that may enable the entrance to make performs within the backfield.
2. San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans are poised for a breakout season in 12 months Two below Ken Niumatalolo. San Jose State has a gifted roster and a really forgiving schedule.
With house video games in convention play towards Air Pressure and Fresno State, whereas additionally lacking each Boise State and UNLV, the Spartans have a very good shot at touchdown within the MW title sport.
With that may come an opportunity to crack the nationwide stage with a Playoff run. San Jose State has a street date at Texas and can journey to Stanford two weeks later.
Past these assessments, the non-con video games are winnable. It isn’t past the realm of chance for the Spartans to complete the common season at 11-1.
The offense will put up factors with Walker Eget directing issues and Floyd Chalk operating the ball. The protection has playmakers in Gafa Faga and Jordan Pollard.
3. UNLV Rebels
Barry Odem took UNLV to a different stage in increase this system, however now he’s off to Purdue.
In Dan Mullen, the Rebels have a longtime and succesful head man to step into these sneakers.
Mullen has stuffed out the roster with transfers from Energy 4 packages and may have UNLV able to take the following step.
Simply over 77% of the slated starters on the roster are transfers from final season.
The Rebels have the expertise to compete with Boise State for convention supremacy, and their assembly on the Blue Turf in October could possibly be for a possible Playoff bid.
If the Rebels can proceed to drive turnovers and play opportunistic protection, the offense will be capable to pounce on opponents.
The debut season in Vegas for Mullen could possibly be a particular one.
4. Colorado State Rams
The Rams appeared like a crew set to take the following step final season, but it surely become a slight step again.
This season, CSU might want to capitalize on its third 12 months with Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi at quarterback.
Maybe the larger key for the Rams can be to get good penetration from their defensive entrance, and particularly, Mukendi Wa-Kalonji.
If the senior can get extra manufacturing disrupting the QB, together with Ja’Ques Evans on the sting, the Rams might make that bounce this season.
5. Air Pressure Falcons
The Falcons want to rebound from a disappointing 2024, during which they struggled to run the ball as much as their requirements within the first half of the season.
Formally, it was the worst operating marketing campaign below Troy Calhoun, marking the one time—apart from the abbreviated 2020 season—that Air Pressure failed to succeed in 3,000 dashing yards in his tenure.
The bottom assault improved on the finish of final season, and the Falcons received some video games. No coincidence there!
Air Pressure’s floor sport is anticipated to return to its regular manufacturing ranges, and that, together with a stable protection, ought to get the Falcons again to their profitable methods.
6. Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State has a observe file of hiring the proper head coach on the proper time. Because the Bulldogs put together to transition to the Pac-12, Matt Entz looks like one other good match.
However maybe extra importantly, Entz appears to have some gamers who can cleared the path.
E.J. Warner has a ton of expertise and can direct an offense that, whereas needing to switch some key elements, is a veteran group.
Final season, the offense lacked any kind of operating sport in any respect. If the Bulldogs are to enhance this season, the bottom assault might want to produce at a better charge.
7. Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
This ought to be Timmy Chang’s greatest crew at Hawai’i, and with the offense he needs lastly in place, he may simply attain the mark.
Micah Alejado got here up large within the closing two video games final 12 months and may have the run-and-shoot offense buzzing this season.
He didn’t throw an interception in 2024, tossing six landing passes.
That effectivity is what this offense wants with Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle main a gifted group of receivers that may assist the younger QB proceed to develop.
Let’s not neglect the whole rebuild that Chang inherited. Progress has been made, as evidenced by his 10 wins over the previous two seasons.
This 12 months ought to see an enormous bounce within the on-field product, however the Warriors may nonetheless fall wanting their final objectives.
8. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs are simply 14-23 within the final two seasons.
Now in its third 12 months as the house of San Diego State, spectacular Snapdragon Stadium deserves higher than a program with a win share of .378.
The fast-paced assault of Sean Lewis by no means fairly bought off the bottom in 2024.
Far too many three-and-outs created points on either side of the ball. Transferring quick for 3 performs on offense does nothing however tax your protection.
The offense must maintain drives this season.
And if it does that, the protection will present loads of pleasure as properly, with Trey White, one of many nation’s most dominant rush ends, inflicting havoc off the sting.
9. Utah State Aggies
The Aggies are in full rebuild mode, however Bronco Mendenhall has been in that place earlier than. We are going to see if he can work his magic as soon as once more.
This Utah State rebuild might take a bit bit longer than his prior stops. The portal was not type to USU, they usually have some holes within the roster.
The offense may not be as explosive as final season, however the Aggies will nonetheless be potent behind Bryson Barnes, supplied the quarterback limits his turnovers.
The largest points for Utah State in 2024 have been on the defensive facet of the ball, as they allowed nearly 500 yards and 38 factors per sport.
If the turnaround is to be instant, the protection will should be significantly better.
10. New Mexico Lobos
The Lobos are on their fifth head coach within the final 16 seasons. That’s not a very good observe file of turnover on the prime.
It looks like that they had gotten out of the revolving door with the hiring of Bronco Mendenhall—till he bolted for Utah State.
Enter Jason Eck, who is anticipated to deliver stability and success after a 23-13 run at Idaho.
Shedding Devon Dampier was an enormous blow, however the operating sport ought to nonetheless produce with Scottre Humphrey changing into a star. The workhorse again ought to churn out yards this season.
The MW has some actually good groups on the prime, however there are sufficient stable groups all through the remainder of the league to offer a number of 50/50 video games throughout the board.
If the Lobos can win a few of these tossups, they might produce a surprisingly enjoyable first season for Eck.
However let’s not get too excited but; these tossups might go the opposite approach, remodeling 2025 into an extended season.
11. Wyoming Cowboys
Things went south shortly final season for the Cowboys. The offense was abysmal, and the protection couldn’t provide you with large stops when wanted.
This season, the offense can be higher, and the Cowboys might see among the shut losses from final season flip into wins.
Kaden Anderson ought to provide the Cowboys much more at quarterback than a season in the past.
The protection ought to get a lift from the offense bettering and be stable on the again finish.
The Cowboys may not be the place they wish to be but, however issues ought to be shifting in the proper route.
12. Nevada Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack can be higher this season than final, however they nonetheless have a option to go earlier than this program is again to being good.
Jeff Choate and his employees have been confronted with a serious rebuild final season, and the expertise stage is healthier now than it was 12 months in the past.
This season, the offense can be below the management of Chubby Purdy, who takes over from Brendan Lewis. The query is what he must work with within the receiver division.
The protection might want to make extra stops.
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Heart (SERC).
