Mountain West Football: Early Media Poll Likes Boise State, Utah State

Mountain West media days do not start for another week but The Las Vegas Review-Journal gave us an early treat. The Review-Journal polled one media member at each of the 12 conference schools to rank the top-five choices in 10 categories. Boise state won best program in the only unanimous vote. In another shocking result Las Vegas was voted best night life with the only first place they didn't get went to Hawaii.

Best offensive player vote has Colorado State's electric wide receiver Rashard Higgins beating out San Diego State's running back Donnel Pumphrey. Four players received first place votes for best defensive player. Nick Vigil ultimately beat out Kamalei Correa, Kyler Fackrell, and Darian Thompson for the top spot.

Utah State's coach Matt Wells just beat out Boise State's Harsin for best coach. Air Force's Troy Calhoun grabbed two first place votes to finish third. See the full poll results below.

BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

1. Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State (8) 54

2. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State (3) 45

3. Chuckie Keeton, QB, Utah State (1) 33

4. Devonte Boyd, WR, UNLV 17

5. Marteze Waller, RB, Fresno State 16

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

1. Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State (3) 42

2. Kamalei Correa, DL, Boise State (3) 33

3. Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State (1) 20

4. Darian Thompson, DB, Boise State (2) 18

5. Eddie Yarbrough, DL, Wyoming (1) 17

BEST COACHES

1. Matt Wells, Utah State (6) 51

2. Bryan Harsin, Boise State (4) 43

3T. Troy Calhoun, Air Force (2) 32

3T. Rocky Long, San Diego State 32

5. Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State 15

BEST PROGRAMS

1. Boise State (12) 60

2. Utah State 36

3. Fresno State 28

4. San Diego State 26

5T. Air Force 15

5T. Colorado State 15

TOP EXPECTED STORYLINES

1. Will Boise State take a step back or again be the face of the Mountain West? (7) 41

2. Can Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton remain healthy? (1) 32

3. Who will be the conference's starting quarterbacks? (2) 19

4. How will UNLV coach Tony Sanchez do after making the leap from high school? 17

5T. Can Colorado State first-year coach Mike Bobo successfully follow Jim McElwain? 12

5T. Will the Mountain Division dominate the West again? (1) 12

BEST GAME-DAY ATMOSPHERES

1. Boise State (8) 52

2. Fresno State (3) 38

3. Air Force (1) 29

4. Utah State 15

5T. UNR 14

5T. Wyoming 14

BEST COLLEGE TOWNS

1. Fort Collins, Colo. (6) 45

2. Boise, Idaho (4) 39

3T. Laramie, Wyo. (1) 27

3T. Logan, Utah 27

5T. Fresno, Calif. 10

5T. Reno 10

BEST ROAD TRIPS

1. San Diego (5) 51

2. Las Vegas (3) 40

3. Honolulu (3) 31

4T. Fort Collins, Colo. (1) 14

4T. Reno 14

BEST CITIES FOR RESTAURANTS

1. Las Vegas (7) 52

2. San Diego (4) 46

3. Honolulu (1) 25

4. San Jose, Calif. 19

5. Boise, Idaho 10

BEST CITIES FOR NIGHTLIFE

1. Las Vegas (11) 57

2. San Diego 42

3. Honolulu (1) 28

4T. Fort Collins, Colo. 14

4T. San Jose, Calif. 14