Mountain West Media Days Recap: Day One

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.

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

Boise State defensive end Curtis Weaver

Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe

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.

Rolo wasn’t just fun and games. He talked about his unique offense as well.

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.

Long also spoke about his starting QB Ryan Agnew.

There was some fun and games going on as well.