Conference 2008 Preview

With the 2008 season less than 20 days away its probably time to throw out a brief overview of the Mountain West Conference. Five teams were able to play in post season play last year. The MWC will have four new defensive coordinators this season. Although, none of the four coordinators are new to each of their respective schools. Both BYU and the yewts once again will be playing thursday games.


BYU has some key defensive holes to fill at LB and the entire secondary is completely untested. Jan Jorgensen (Nagurski Award candidate) will again wreck havoc in offenses after a 14 sack sophomore campaign. David Nixon (Butkus Award candidate) threw down 66 tackles last year. While the DL will be even stronger with the presence at nose tackle Russ Tialavea (starter in 2006) who returns from knee injury. The transfer of Tevita Hola (JC All American) provides even more depth to the DL. In the secondary Scott Johnson has been turning heads during fall camp. Vic So'oto switched to LB and seems to be making the transition rather smoothlessly. He is however being pushed by Coleby Clawson (former JC All American from Snow College). On offense there have been a few changes in recent weeks. Projected starting center Tom Sorensen is dealing with some shoulder problems which may require surgery. Thus on the OL Dallas Reynolds has switched to the center position while his brother Matt steps in at left tackle. Ray Feinga begins the season on the watch list for the Outland Trophy Award. The rest of the OL remains intact and should provide Heisman Candidate Max Hall ample amount of time to once again work his magic. Hall came out flinging in 2007 finishing with over 3800 yards. Tight end Dennis Pitta was the recipient of that in over 8013 yards with 5 TDs. Fui Vakapuna has been struggling with the hamstring issue again (or is it still?). Will freshman JJ Di Luigi emerge out from his shadow? As a redshirt freshman Doak Walker Award candidate Harvey Unga quickly became nationally known rushing for over 1200 yards. All everything Austin Collie (Biletnikoff Candidate) has been nursing a stress fracture throughout fall camp but should be ready to go full strength in a few more weeks. Collie has been seen continually with a bone stimulator attached to his leg. With yet another amazing recruiting class BYU added even more depth to the Cougar den. Look for the Cougs to pretty much run the tables in hoisting yet another conference trophy. That is not arrogance just simply a matter of talent, discipline, great coaching and being fully invested. A BCS berth is very possible.
TCU will look to contend for a conference title assuming some things fall into place. The horned frogs must replace possibly the best tandem of ends it ever had in Tommy Blake and Chase Ortiz who combined for over 43 career sacks. Matt Panfil filled in nicely when Blake was dealing with personal issues last fall. Jason Phillips is a preseason All American candidate at LB. Senior running back Aaron Brown looks to bounce back after missing much of last season. Andy Dalton is a great scrambler but must clearly make better decisions (10TDs and 11 INTs is not a good ratio). Sophomore Jimmy Young likely will be Dalton's long ball wideout. The offensive weaponry is there and with the Horned Frogs defense they are usually never too far from contention.
Yewts can be hard to figure out. Every year on paper they seem to contend but always seem to shoot themselves in the foot via injury (Asiata or Brian Johnson as example) or simply lackluster play (see last years shutout at UNLV 0-27). On the bright side they always bring their best for the Holy War. However, in three years under Whittingham the yewts conference record is 14-10. This years schedule won't provide any relief (at Michigan, Oregon State, TCU, at New Mexico and BYU) either. All five of those games are not exactly a walk in the park. Darrell Mack has emerged at RB with over 1200 yards. At QB Brian Johnson is apparently fully healthy again (we'll see how long that lasts). The yewts OL returns 4 solid starters. Although the offense run seems sometimes to rely on gimmicks (triple reverses, fumblerooski, etc) rather than straight up smashmouth football. On defense the secondary is solid. The special teams are amazing in thanks to Louis Sakoda the nation's premier P/K combo. Sakoda was a solid 10 of 13 from 40 plus yards. With a tough schedule but having your best player as the P/K could make a rather interesting year for the yewts.
New Mexico could very well start out 0-3 (TCU, Texas A/M and Arizona). On top of that there is no available bye week in 2008 for New Mexico. On the bright side the Lobo's do have some skilled centerpieces in place. Set at QB is Donovon Porterie who in 2007 threw for over 3000 yards. Tailback Rodney Ferguson returns and has piled up nearly 2500 yards and 23 TDs in the last two years. Last year's Lobo defense finished at 13 nationally. Gone are all 3 starting LBs and both ends. However, the secondary is still a major strength. DeAndre Wright enters his 3rd year as a full time starter. Assuming the incoming LBs and DL find a way to step up look for the Lobo's to sneak up on a few teams.
Wyoming finished 2007 their third straight season without a bowl game. Don't look for it to happen in 2008. Quarterback Karsten Sween will have an edge as a starter but will have a very short leash (17 INTs last year). The cowboys bring a great running game with Wynel Seldon and Devin Moore (over 1500 yards between the two). Moore has been clocked at 4.3 seconds. However, the thunder and lightning didn't rain down consistently enough (see 9 total yards against the Cougs in 2007) on opponents. On defense the strength is in the trenches. John Fletcher (6.6/280 DT) was named to the Outland Trophy watch list. Last year the Cowboys finished losing 6 of 7. Too many questions linger for the struggling cowboys to contend.
UNLV has only managed two victories in four consecutive seasons. The rebels return Frank "The Tank" Summers who rolled through the yewts for 190 yards and 2 TDs (finished with over 900 rushing yards for the season). UNLV also returns two outstanding WRs in Casey Flair and deep threat Ryan Wolfe. Four out of the five positions on the OL return. One of the rebels best LBs in history Beau Bell will likely be replaced by Starr Fuimaono who returns from a shoulder injury. With a 2-10 season in 2007 time is drawing near for some results rebel fans are growing impatient.
Air Force surprised opponents in 2007 but could honestly struggle this year. Coach Troy Calhoun was a former offensive coordinator of the Houston Texans. Without the personnel (namely graduating centerpieces Chad Hall and Shaun Carney) Calhoun will have to work some serious magic. The falcons will be rebuilding almost everywhere. If a QB doesn't emerge and with too many graduating seniors could make it a difficult year.
Colorado State returns some experience in the backfield with Kyle Bell (over 1200 yards in 2005) who returns from a torn ACL. Gartrell Johnson rushed for 950+ yards last season. Also returning from an ACL injury is tight end Kory Sperry (took one of every 7 RECs to the end zone). Incoming head coach Steve Fairchild certainly faces an uphill struggle. The rams likely are a couple years from competing for a conference title but will not make things easy for conference foes.
San Diego State is the only MWC team in history yet to qualify for a bowl. Good news 8 of 11 defensive starters return. Bad news is that the Aztecs fielded one of the worst defenses in the country. San Diego State ranked last in the MWC and 105th nationally in rushing. Sophomore wide receiver Vincent Brown could be prime for something big and will definately be the go to receiver. Special teams might not be so special when breaking in a new kicker, punter and deep snapper.