MWC meetings Day 1: BYU picked No. 1
Back from Fish Lake where I’ve been pounding splake and rainbows the past two weeks, walking into this giant Las Vegas hotel for the MWC football meetings was a big time change of pace.
First things first, the league released the results of the media poll this morning. No surprises. Here?s how the writers guessed the league would finish:
1. BYU (29)299
2. Utah (5)274
3. TCU239
4. New Mexico197
5. Wyoming156
6. Air Force141
7. SDSU 92
8. CSU73
9. UNLV59
2008 ALL-MWC PRESEASON TEAM
Offensive Player of the Year: Max Hall, BYU
Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Phillips, TCU
Special Teams Player of the Year: Louie Sakoda, Utah
Freshman of the Year: Braylon Broughton, TCU
OFFENSE
WR: Austin Collie, BYU
WR: Ryan Wolfe, UNLV
OL: Nick Charles, Air Force
OL: Ray Feinga, BYU
OL: Dallas Reynolds, BYU
OL: Blake Schlueter, TCU
OL: Robert Conley, Utah
TE: Dennis Pitta, BYU
QB: Max Hall, BYU
RB: Harvey Unga, BYU
RB: Rodney Ferguson, New Mexico
DEFENSE
DL: Jan Jorgensen, BYU
DL: Paul Kruger, Utah
DL: John Fletcher, Wyoming
DL/LB: Ryan Kemp, Air Force
LB: Ward Dobbs, Wyoming
LB: Russell Allen, San Diego State
LB: Jason Phillips, TCU
DB: Brice McCain, Utah
DB: DeAndre Wright
DB: Stephen Hodge, TCU
DB: Robert Johnson, Utah
SPECIALISTS
P: Louie Sakoda, Utah
PK: Louie Sakoda, Utah
RS: Devin Moore, Wyoming
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Here is my preseason ballot, filed two weeks ago:
1. BYU
2. Utah
3. TCU
4. New Mexico
5. Air Force
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. San Diego State
9. UNLV
Preseason stuff is interesting, but there is little science to it. Bronco Mendenhall doesn’t buy into polls, other than recognizing that there is some attention drawn to the program.
Here is an interesting preseason football poll blog by a writer for an Ohio State football site by the name of Michael Amman. He has the Cougars No. 5.
Link: http://uweekly.com/newsmag/07-16-2008/8798
5. BYU: The Cougars probably have the best mid-major team since Utah in 2004. Of course, this is not to say they are actually better than probably the next ten teams, but they have the ability to navigate their schedule unbeaten. Their ability to actually play defense should help them out, as well. Lastly, Bronco Mendenhall has proven a very competent coach, and if they can get by Utah in 2008, it should be gravy for those in Provo.