The little guy looked like they were going to be an AQ after adding Boise State, but then they go ahead and lose TCU, Utah, and BYU in short order… The last year for the Frogs will be a fun one…
Boise State Broncos (12-1, beat Utah in the Vegas Bowl 26-3)
What’s Good: All the seniors coming back for one last chance at a Bee-Cee-Ess Bowl Game including Kellen Moore, Doug Martin, and the 14 returning starters… the Broncos get TCU at home on the blue turf on November 12th. 8 seniors on defense will keep the scores low for the rest of the mtn.
What’s Bad: The fact that the move to the Mountain West may keep the team from a big bowl if they lose their season opener to the University of Georgia in Week One.
Nelson Prediction: The Georgia game shouldn’t be a problem, but Boise will have a bull’s eye on their front, back, and all sides all season long. The game at Fresno October 7th should be the one obvious chance for a trip-up, but Boise has been here before.
Wilkie’s Prediction: Same ole same ole from the Broncos, just a new scene. Can’t wait for the Boise State-TCU game November 12th on the Smurf Turf, appointment television right there.
Phil Says: They will be good, they always are. Contrary to Jon, the Georgia game isn’t a gimme because of it being in Georgia and TCU lost too much in theory to keep up, they won’t run the table...11-1 this season.
TCU Horned Frogs (13-0, beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl 21-19)
What’s Good: Gary Patterson has created a monster in the Metroplex and even with the lack of returning starters (3 on offense, 5 on defense), the system and schedule are in place for success. So is the schedule, for that matter, as the only challenge seems to be the game at Boise.
What’s Bad: The lack of returning starters, including QB Andy Dalton… Casey Paschall only threw 9 passes mopping up. WR Jimmy Young is gone as are a lot of the secondary.
Nelson Prediction: Once again, just like the Boise schedule, the winner will get the title and the BCS bid- the loser will be closer to playing to Christmas than New Year’s… 11-1 and probably heading to Vegas…
Wilkie’s Prediction: Double digit wins again before the Frogs head into the Big East Conference.
Phil Says: Another good year, but they’ll struggle early with a lot of new faces. Baylor won’t be a gimme either to open. I say 9-2.
Air Force Falcons (9-4, beat Georgia Tech 14-7 in Independence Bowl)
What’s Good: 8 defensive starters return including six seniors in the front seven, Asher Clark returns for his senior season after having rushed for over 1,000 yards in the Troy Calhoun offense, 14 returning starters are the most Calhoun has had to work with…
What’s Bad: Getting TCU in week two and not later, traveling to Notre Dame and Boise in a three-week period...
Nelson Prediction: The week two game will determine who goes to the Vegas Bowl and who goes to San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl… 9-3 should be about right…
Wilkie’s Prediction: Scheduling aside Air Force has the talent to make a MWC title run. 10-2 might happen but I wouldn’t be surprised if they defeated TCU or Boise State but not both.
Phil Says: TCU, Notre Dame and Boise will create problems. Otherwise, they’re just plain better than most on their schedule. They DO have a shot at beating TCU though. This season: 8-4
San Diego State Aztecs (9-4, beat Navy 35-14 in the Poinsettia Bowl)
What’s Good: 13 starters return- 8 on offense, including QB Ryan Lindley. Ronnie Hillman, MWC Freshman Player of the Year, can add to his 1,500-yards plus season last year. QB Coach Brian Sipe stays for Lindley’s well-being. Only 3 road games exist on the schedule.
What’s Bad: Brady Hoke has gone for Michigan, and Rocky Long takes over. The end of the schedule is a bear, eventhough the games against Boise and Fresno are both in San Diego. Only 5 starters return for the defense…
Nelson Prediction: Those last few games on the schedule will test Lindley and the Aztec defense. Unfortunately, the opposition will score more than the home team. Looks like 7-5 or 8-4 will be here with an outside shot at a bowl game.
Wilkie’s Prediction: Eight wins and the Aztecs go bowling in December.
Phil Says: Good, not great team. Boise and TCU come to them and Michigan and Washington State are out of conference games. 7-5 sounds about right.
Colorado State Rams (3-9, last bowl game was in 2008)
What’s Good: 8 starters on offense return, including Sophomore QB Pete Thomas who threw for a 65-percent completion percentage- the highest ever for a D1 freshman. His experienced offensive linemen should keep him safe.
What’s Bad: Leading tackler Ricky Brewer is gone. Leading rusher Leonard Mason is gone.
Nelson Prediction: Looks like an improvement for Steve Fairchild over last year’s performance and a 6-6 season will be a step in the right direction…
Wilkie’s Prediction: Six wins is about right for the sheep.
Phil Says: Improving, the program is heading in the right direction. Not on the level...yet, of the teams ahead of them. 6-6 is possible and would be a good season.
Wyoming Cowboys (3-9, last bowl game was in 2009)
What’s Good: 7 starters return on both sides of the ball including leading rusher Alvester Alexander and the depth at back and receiver…
What’s Bad: QB Austin Carta-Samuels transferred out leaving the position the hands of, probably, a true freshman in Brett Smith or Adam Pittser. The top two leading receivers and tacklers are also gone.
Nelson Prediction: 6-6 with Colorado State in the middle of the pack for Dave Christensen…
Wilkie’s Prediction: Six wins for the Pokes.
Phil Says: Both of you are being really optimistic. Did you read the above? An awful lot of changes here. Not everyone can have a winning record. 4-8
UNLV Rebels (2-11, last bowl game was in 2000)
What’s Good: Rushing and receiving depth are still around for head coach Bobby Hauck- he’ll need it…
What’s Bad: Starting QB Omar Clayton is gone. The top four tacklers from 2010 are gone as well. Only 4 starters are back to add to that…
Nelson Prediction: 2-10 beating Southern Utah and…
Wilkie’s Prediction: I’m rooting for you Bobby Hauck but this year maybe two wins and the Rebels will be better than New Mexico.
Phil Says: Good luck with this schedule. The opener at Wisconsin will be ugly. 3-9 is the call here.
New Mexico Lobos (1-11, last bowl game was in 2007)
What’s Good: We’re still searching on that one… you can talk about the 9 starters on defense coming back if you like…
What’s Bad: Mike Locksley still has this job… the HQ still wonders why while still knowing why… the University hierarchy doesn’t want to pay a buyout in a financial and emotional crisis on campus…
Nelson Prediction: If we could predict negatives numbers for UNM, the HQ would. But we think one game, Homecoming against Sam Houston State, might be the only win on the year. And, mercifully, Locksley might still be fired at season’s end…
Wilkie’s Prediction: Don’t worry about the buyout because UMN restructured that in case they have to pull the trigger which might come before the season ends. Another dreadful year in Albuquerque for Lobo football fans.
Phil Says: As long as Mike Locksley is the coach, this team will suck. It will take a decade to fix his damage..at least. And yet he still has a job? If you look at the schedule on the website, they might win the Fan Photo Day and Scrimmage and maybe Sam Houston State. 1-11 and please get rid of Locksley, your program is a national disgrace.
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