2008 Mountain West Conference Predictions
Written July 21, 2008 by Jason Lowry
Professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to bring you his 2008 Mountain West Conference football predictions. Last year BYU was able to run the table in conference play going 8-0 and finishing the season in the top 25. This year it looks like it could be a little tougher road for the Cougars as some other teams look ready to make a run this season. Here is a look at our take on the upcoming season in the Mountain West.
1) Utah Utes
The Utes come back with some of the best offensive talent in the conference, as they have big time play makers at all the skilled positions. The defense will slip a little from last year, but it should be plenty good for this team to have a chance at running the table in conference play this season.
2) BYU Cougars
The Cougars are one of three teams that look primed for a big season. They have handled their Mountain West opponents with ease over the last two seasons going a perfect 8-0 in each. The defense only brings back 3 starters and thats why we got them slightly behind the Utes.
3) TCU Horned Frogs
The Horned Frogs are another team that you don’t want to take lightly if you have them on your schedule this season. With 15 returning starters, and a defense that looks primed to be a force this season, we think that this team could give BYU all it wants at home when they lock up on Oct. 16.
4) New Mexico Lobos
The Lobos put together a solid season last year going 9-4, including a shutout win over Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl. This team is hurting with only 5 starters coming back on each the offense and defensive sides. We still think this team is good enough for another winning season and a third straight bowl appearance.
5) UNLV Rebels
The Rebels had a pretty ugly season going just 2-10 last year, and have finished at the bottom of this conference each of the last 3 seasons, going 1-7 each year. We think that with 9 starters coming back on offense, and plenty of talent on the defensive side of things this team can make a run at going 4-4 in conference play and maybe get to 6 wins this season.
6) Wyoming Cowboys
The Cowboys came into last season with 12 starters coming back and it didn’t go well for them as they finished just 2-6 in conference play. This year they up their numbers with 14 guys coming back, and we think its good enough to improve on their 2 win performance, but not enough to be a real threat.
7) Air Force Falcons
Air Force is coming off a pretty special year as the Falcons put together one of their best seasons in years going 9-4 and finished 2nd to BYU at 6-2 in conference play. The thing is all that talent is gone, as only 8 starters come back this season. If the young talent can just improve over the season, this team could be in the mix again in 2009.
San Diego Aztecs
We got the Aztecs bringing up the bottom of the Mountain West Conference, and its easy to see why with only 3 starters coming back on offense, and team that hasn’t put together a bowl worthy season in nearly a decade. We are thinking 1 or 2 wins top this season for the Aztecs.
If you are looking for a place to do all your Mountain West betting this upcoming season, head over to Sportsbook.com and get an account going today. Also be sure to check all our team and conference preview and predictions, and check back soon for our NFL predictions.