Power ranking: 7
Deseret Morning News staff poll
Team ... Points
1. TCU ... 132 (12)
2. Utah ... 116 (2)
3. BYU ... 108 (1)
4. New Mexico ... 80
5. Wyoming ... 67
6. Colorado State ... 66
7. Air Force ... 46
8. San Diego State ... 40
9. UNLV ... 20
(First-place votes)
3 PLAYERS TO WATCH
RODNEY FERGUSON, RB, New Mexico: As a sophomore, led the conference in rushing with 94.9 yards per game. He was one of only two backs in the conference, along with BYU's Curtis Brown, to top 1,000 yards (1,234).
TOMMY BLAKE, DE, TCU: One of two Bednarik Award candidates on the Frogs' defensive line, Blake tied for the conference lead with seven sacks in 2006. The senior is the best player on what should be the league's best defense.
KARSTEN SWEEN, QB, Wyoming: Proved capable as a freshman starter for the Cowboys, who had a much-better-than-expected third-place finish. Sween was fourth in the conference in completion percentage.
3 DEGREES NONCONFERENCE
Gauging the importance of the MWC's biggest out-of-league games:
1ST DEGREE
Utah at Oregon State (Aug. 30) — Beating team that defeated USC last year would be great start.
Arizona at BYU (Sept. 1) — Defending champs shouldn't lose at home to average Pac-10 team.
Virginia at Wyoming (Sept. 1) — Great opportunity, even though Virginia isn't strongest ACC team.
2ND DEGREE
BYU at UCLA (Sept. 8) — A win would be great for the conference, but it's not especially likely.
Wyoming at Boise St. (Sept. 15) — Beating the Broncos on the blue turf would be a major story.
Utah at Louisville (Oct. 5) — Same as BYU-UCLA. Beating Brohm and the Cardinals is a tall order.
3RD DEGREE
TCU at Texas (Sept. 8) — Upset unlikely, but Frogs did win on Oklahoma's home field in 2005.
Cal at Colorado St. (Sept. 8) — The No. 12 Bears will be coming off game against Tennessee.
UCLA at Utah (Sept. 15) — This game at Rice-Eccles may be MWC's best shot at major upset.
3 DEGREES CONFERENCE
Gauging the importance of the MWC's biggest league games:
1ST DEGREE
New Mexico at Wyoming (Oct. 13) — Winner of this game could be in position for unlikely title run.
BYU at San Diego State (Oct. 27) — It's homecoming for a program desperate for a big victory.
Wyoming at Colorado State (Nov. 23) — "Border War" could be great matchup this season.
2ND DEGREE
BYU at New Mexico (Sept. 29) — BYU's hopes of repeating could be derailed early in Albuquerque.
TCU at Wyoming (Oct. 6) — Joe Glenn can prove his team is legitimate contender with home win.
New Mexico at Utah (Nov. 17) — Revenge game? Loss to Lobos in 2005 was low point of Utes' season.
3RD DEGREE
Utah at TCU (Oct. 18) — Both teams should be 3-0 in conference heading into this game.
TCU at BYU (Nov. 8) — Home team has yet to win a game in this series between MWC powers.
Utah at BYU (Nov. 24) — If both teams manage to beat TCU, implications could be major.