MWCConnection Roundtable: Which team will have the best offense this year?

Football is on track to be back, so let’s discuss the upcoming season. Which team will have the best offense in the Mountain West?

James: (response given back in August before Jackson declared for the NFL)

I believe the best offense of 2020 will go to Colorado State. Patrick O’Brien is entering his second season under center for the Rams and will likely piece together his best year yet. A key reason to expect a big leap in O’Brien’s play from 2019 to 2020 is his talented receiving trio at his disposal. Wide receiver Warren Jackson proved to be one of, if not the, best in the Mountain West, Dante Wright flashed his immense potential as a versatile weapon and Trey McBride became a top-20 tight end across the country.

CSU also owns an exceptional offensive tackle in Barry Wesley who, like the rest of the Rams offense, should only improve in 2020. With all that firepower there is no doubt in my mind Colorado State could rival Boise State and even take the crown for best offense in the conference.

Zach:

Boise State. They have the best quarterback room, best group of running backs, and best wide receivers. The only question is the offensive line and it is a big enough question that it might hold them back. I think Colorado State will also be in the conversation, but I am not sure that their running game will be efficient enough.

Boise State should have the best offense for years to come. Bachmeier and Holani are only sophomores and Khalil Shakir is only a junior. I think the Broncos will put up plenty of points whenever football season takes place.

NittanyFalcon:

I would have picked Colorado State a couple months ago, but i have to think with all the upheaval in that program, that might not happen now. They also have a recent history of lots of mistakes on offense. So I’ll agree with Zach on this one, Boise State has a very well-rounded offense, and should come out on top. I will add, however, that Air Force was very impressive using a very simple smashmouth running attack against Navy. If their new quarterbacks can get more comfortable executing the triple option, they will be very hard to handle with that offensive line. They will not lead the league in scoring or overall yardage, but should be very efficient with a ball control offense.

Mike:

Echoing NittanyFalcon above, if this question went live in August as was originally intended, I would have said Colorado State, with their major weapons at wide receiver and tight end. I still think the Rams will have a strong offense, but without Warren Jackson, I no longer thing they are top in the conference. Air Force will probably have the most consistent offense, but I think Boise State will have the most well-rounded and best.

The Broncos will be strong at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and even pretty good at tight end. QB Hank Bachmeier showed lots of flashes in an injury-plagued true freshman campaign. If he stays healthy, he could end up the best QB in the Mountain West. Fellow true sophomore George Holani finds himself among a talented running back group in the conference, but he is the youngest one and was a 1,000 yard rusher in his first season when he didn’t start until the second half of the year. The wide receiver room lost a starter, but still boasts a deep group with returning starters CT Thomas and Khalil Shakir, the latter being one of the most versatile offensive players in the MWC. Then there is senior tight end John Bates, who is a big impressive target, although a mix of ineffectiveness and under-utilization has kept his numbers meager his first three seasons. He started to break out last year with Bachmeier targeting him and should be a valuable weapon.