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Football is back! (almost)
Day one of the Mountain West Media Days began in Las Vegas Henderson, Nevada at the Green Valley Ranch Resort with the usual first step: the releasing of the all-conference teams and predicted order of finish.
- Stunning nobody, Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division. The Broncos received 15/21 first place votes. Utah State received the other six votes.
- Fresno State was picked to win the West Division, garnering 17/21 first place votes. Three other votes went to San Diego State, and one bold voter gave one vote to Hawaii.
IT'S TIME ⏰
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) July 23, 2019
Preseason Football Awards + Predicted Order of Finish pic.twitter.com/Gpfk7MN5ea
Next up, the offensive, defensive, and special teams players of the year were released. Nothing earth-shattering on that front. Utah State quarterback Jordan Love was selected preseason offensive player of the year, Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver won preseason defensive player of the year, and Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe preseason special teams player of the year.
Utah State quarterback Jordan Love
The LOVE story continues.
— USU Football (@USUFootball) July 23, 2019
Congrats to @jordan3love on being named the @MountainWest Offensive Player of the Year!
➡️ https://t.co/4HyETv3mjc#10VEforHeisman #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/bbF0PTwaCE
Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver
The Preseason All- @MountainWest Teams and order of finish have been announced, and @curtisweaver99 headlines 5️⃣ Bronco selections by being named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year!
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) July 23, 2019
https://t.co/2O70GMXMdl#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/zpjqriQl4K
Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe
.@rothe_coop was tabbed as the MW Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year on Tuesday morning on the opening day of Mountain West Media Days!
— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) July 23, 2019
: https://t.co/vnQgVJuRMH#RideForTheBrand #OneWyoming #GoWyo pic.twitter.com/Vr5Gn13uUB
Finally, along with these other releases, of course the preseason all-conference teams were released:
Offense
QB Jordan Love - Utah State
WR John Hightower - Boise State
WR Cedric Byrd II - Hawai‘i
RB Juwan Washington - San Diego State
RB Toa Taua - Nevada
OL Ezra Cleveland - Boise State
OL John Molchon - Boise State
OL Jake Nelson - Nevada
OL Keith Ismael - San Diego State
OL Justin Polu - UNLV
TE Jared Rice - Fresno State
Defense
DL Jordan Jackson - Air Force
DL David Moa - Boise State
DL Curtis Weaver - Boise State
DL Tipa Galeai - Utah State
LB Mykal Walker - Fresno State
LB Kyahva Tezino - San Diego State
LB David Woodward - Utah State
DB Jeremy Fejedelem - Air Force
DB Juju Hughes - Fresno State
DB Tariq Thompson - San Diego State
DB DJ Williams - Utah State
Specialists
P Ryan Stonehouse - Colorado State
K Cooper Rothe - Wyoming
KR/PR Savon Scarver - Utah State
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Commissioner Craig Thompson kicked off the interview portion of Mountain West Media Days. Few notes from that:
- Conference is still in negotiations for the TV deal that will begin in 2020-2021. Thompson is “very confident” it will provide more revenue. Hinted at some kind of digital component to it. Doesn’t want to do a long-term deal. FWIW, he said it could be announced by the fall.
- Boise State home games will still be negotiated separately. (cue outrage)
- UConn’s departure from the AAC has led to speculation of the conference chasing Mountain West teams. Thompson said there have been “zero conversations” about that.
- No league-wide system for a replay system for trainers to deal with concussions.
- Conference will be back to six contracted bowl games starting in 2020. Look for the announcement on Wednesday.
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It’s not Mountain West Media Days without Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich catching attention. Last year it was a Britney Spears impersonator, this year psychic Samina showed up. Turns out Hawaii is winning the conference in 2019.
Fortune says #HawaiiFB will win the @MountainWest this year!!! #AtthePeak #MWFB pic.twitter.com/209E3zqvKo
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) July 23, 2019
Rolo wasn’t just fun and games. He talked about his unique offense as well.
Ever wonder what goes into the thinking of the #HawaiiFB offense? @NickRolovich explains how it works from the mentality of the wide receivers.#MWFB #AtthePeak #LiveAlohaPlayWarrior pic.twitter.com/zfMvNClnc4
— Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) July 23, 2019
Rocky Long said the San Diego State Aztecs are looking to open things up on offense. Also offered a hot take later in the day that he thinks Hawaii should be the favorite in the West.
SDSU will shift to a spread offense in 2019, but their offensive philosophy won’t change. Coach Long explains at the Mountain West Football Media Day in Las Vegas.#AtThePeak #Win22 pic.twitter.com/GGwEtO22dM
— SDSU Football (@SDSUFootball) July 23, 2019
Long also spoke about his starting QB Ryan Agnew.
Coach Long on what to expect from QB Ryan Agnew in 2019.#AtThePeak #Win22 pic.twitter.com/66WqX7PiQM
— SDSU Football (@SDSUFootball) July 23, 2019
There was some fun and games going on as well.
The nicest so far @unlvfootball starring @A_Rogers4 & Javin White pic.twitter.com/i9EGw3haKY
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) July 23, 2019
And for @SJSUSpartanFB we have @Josh12Love & @ea_31_ pic.twitter.com/YstJ6MaWfG
— Mountain West (@MountainWest) July 23, 2019