Mountain West Connection - 2013 Mountain West football media daysAll you need to know about the Mountain West, and then somehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50409/mwc-fav.png2013-07-26T13:00:04-07:00http://www.mwcconnection.com/rss/stream/43082012013-07-26T13:00:04-07:002013-07-26T13:00:04-07:00MW Newcomers got a lot of hugs this week
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<figcaption>MW commissioner Craig Thompson doing a radio interview during media days on Monday in LasVegas. | courtesy of Ryan Howe, TIMES-NEWS</figcaption>
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<p>San Jose State and Utah State both drew a lot of attention at the Mountain West Media Days that concluded Tuesday in Las Vegas.</p> <p>Mountain West newbies Utah State and San Jose State got a bunch of hugs from their new conference mates this week during the Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas. And both teams <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/videos/2013/7/24/4554894/mountain-west-connection-live-media-day-recap/in/4308201">earned a place </a>in the higher ranks of the 2013 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll.</p>
<p>The Utah State Aggies were voted to finish second in the Mountain Division behind Boise State but ahead of division members Air Force, Wyoming, Colorado State and New Mexico. The Aggies <a href="http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072213aab.html">also had </a>two players (center Tyler Larsen and linebacker Kyler Fackrell) named to the league's 25-player first team of the 2013 Preseason All-Mountain West Football Team. The San Jose State Spartans were voted to finish third in the West Division behind Fresno State and San Diego State, but ahead of Nevada, UNLV and Hawaii. They also had five players named to the first team of the 2013 Preseason All-Mountain West Football Team: WR Noel Grisgby, DL Travis Raciti, LB Keith Smith, DB Bené Benwikere and PK Austin Lopez.</p>
<p>Mountain West commissioner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Craig Thompson</a> couldn’t have been more pleased with the vote of confidence for the new schools. "Personally I felt very strong about San Jose State before an 11-win season," <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/sjsu-spartans/ci_23715909/rival-coaches-say-san-jose-state-makes-mountain">he said.</a> "I think San Jose State is just ready to explode."</p>
<p>"I think the teams we've added add great strengths to the conference," Wyoming coach Dave Christensen offered, while San Diego State coach <a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_23715912/rival-coaches-say-san-jose-state-makes-mountain">Rocky Long noted </a>that the Spartans have improved the conference overall.</p>
<p>Boise State coach Chris Petersen was a little more open with his praise of his former WAC foes. "We played those guys so often over the years that it kind of feels like they were never out, just like we were never out," <a href="http://%20http://www.ksl.com/?sid=26114947&nid=858&title=utah-state-picked-to-finish-second-in-mwc-mountain-division">he said</a>. "I think it's a good fit. Certainly the programs are on the rise, which helps everybody.”</p>
<p>Petersen's sentiments were echoed in the enthusiasm of Utah State QB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/137583/chuckie-keeton">Chuckie Keeton</a>. "We're thankful for the second expected pick," Keeton said. "At the same time it's only an expected pick. We still have to go out and perform on Saturdays. We're definitely up for the challenge."</p>
<h4>More from Mountain West Connection:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/football-5/2013/7/26/4557186/best-quarterback-in-the-mw-derek-carr-vs-david-fales">Best Quarterback in the MW? Derek Carr Vs. David Fales</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4558640/2013-mountain-west-player-rankings-eric-schultz">2013 Mountain West player rankings, No. 35: Utah State OT Eric Schultz</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556554/mountain-west-to-cut-ties-armed-forces-bowl">Mountain West to cut ties with Armed Forces Bowl after 2013 season</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556456/video-norm-chow-discusses-hawaii-football">VIDEO: Norm Chow discusses Hawaii football</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556396/fresno-state-uniform-black-out-nevada">Fresno State to wear black uniforms against Nevada on Nov. 2</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/26/4559210/mountain-west-newcomers-get-a-lot-of-respectHank Corless2013-07-25T10:23:02-07:002013-07-25T10:23:02-07:00MWC, Armed Forces Bowl to part ways
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<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Armed Forces Bowl will no longer be part of the Mountain West bowl lineup.</p> <p>The Armed Forces Bowl was initially <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/football-5/2013/7/9/4509096/mountain-west-six-bowl-games">reported to stay with the Mountain West from 2014-19</a>, but that is not the case as the 2013 version of the bowl game will be the last year that the Mountain West will be sending a representative there.</p>
<p>While the Armed Forces Bowl will no longer be affiliated with the Mountain West, commissioner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Craig Thompson</a> emphasized at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/21/4544160/2013-mountain-west-football-media-days">Mountain West media days</a> that the league will be <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rgj.com/article/20130725/SPORTS/307250019/College-football-Mountain-West-will-end-ties-Armed-Forces-Bowl">partnering soon with a sixth bowl in the Southeast part of the country:</a></p>
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<p>"It will probably be a situation where two of six years we will go to one site, one of six another site and three of six a third site," Thompson said of the plan (bowl agreements most often are on six-year contracts). "We'll move them around. And that sixth bowl will in all likelihood be in the Southeast. ESPN's talking about starting a new bowl in Montgomery, the New Orleans Bowl, the Independence Bowl in Shreveport (La.)."</p>
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<p>The Mountain West did have a previous tie-in to the Independence Bowl for a few seasons. Thompson also mentioned that he expects the Mountain West champion to be part of the playoff in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/7/23/4549808/college-football-playoff-bowls-new-years-six" target="_blank">New Year's Six</a> which includes the semifinal games plus the two other big money bowl game, and that would give the league seven bowl games almost every year.</p>
<h4>More from Mountain West Connection:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556456/video-norm-chow-discusses-hawaii-football">Norm Chow had to pay for strength coach out of own pocket</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556396/fresno-state-uniform-black-out-nevada">Fresno State to wear black uniforms against Nevada on Nov. 2</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4555078/nevada-football-loses-more-players">Nevada Football Loses More Players</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4555196/podcast-wrapping-up-media-days">PODCAST: Wrapping up media days</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/21/4544160/2013-mountain-west-football-media-days">Complete media days coverage</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556554/mountain-west-to-cut-ties-armed-forces-bowlJeremy Mauss2013-07-25T10:00:04-07:002013-07-25T10:00:04-07:00Norm Chow talks about Hawaii's upcoming season
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Hawaii head coach Norm Chow discussed some of the issues at Hawaii and the upcoming 2013 season.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/15142/colt-brennan">Colt Brennan</a> was apparently right when things needed to change at Hawaii when he <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/10175044" target="_blank">talked about there being a lack soap in the locker room.</a> </p>
<p>Current Hawaii head coach Norm Chow discussed at <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/21/4544160/2013-mountain-west-football-media-days">Mountain West media days </a>that the team <a href="http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013307240037">did not have a strength and conditioning coach until January</a>, and that it came out of his own pocket. However, Chow did get the new locker room that has been promised for years, and also was able to get the cost of scholarships to cover summer school.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/25/4556456/video-norm-chow-discusses-hawaii-footballJeremy Mauss2013-07-24T20:41:02-07:002013-07-24T20:41:02-07:00AUDIO: Wrapping up MWC media days
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<p>Chris and Jeremy wrap up media days, and this is the audio version of the live video show.</p> <p>Here is the audio version of the <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/videos/2013/7/24/4554894/mountain-west-connection-live-media-day-recap" target="_blank">video show</a> discussing Mountain West media days.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.81818199157715px; color: #292929; font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">Here are your many ways to listen to the show: Obviously listen below, over at <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7f8482; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fmountain-west-connection&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mwcconnection.com%2F2013%2F7%2F24%2F4555196%2Fpodcast-wrapping-up-media-days" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Sound Cloud</a>, <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7f8482; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/mountain-west-connection-podcast/mountain-west-connection">Stitcher Radio</a> and also <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #7f8482; font-weight: bold;" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-west-connection/id657653171?ign-mpt=uo%3D7&mt=2" target="_blank">iTunes</a>.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F102498451" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" height="166" width="100%"></iframe></p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4555196/podcast-wrapping-up-media-daysJeremy Mauss2013-07-24T18:56:27-07:002013-07-24T18:56:27-07:00Mountain West Live: Media day recap
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<figcaption>Brian Losness-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Jeremy and Chris breakdown all things from the Mountain West media days.</p> <p>Jeremy and Chris breakdown all things from the Mountain West media days, and a complete breakdown of our written work can be found right here in our<a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/21/4544160/2013-mountain-west-football-media-days"> StoryStream</a>.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/videos/2013/7/24/4554894/mountain-west-connection-live-media-day-recapJeremy Mauss2013-07-24T17:25:11-07:002013-07-24T17:25:11-07:00UNLV RB Tim Cornett upset over all-league snubs
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<figcaption>Ethan Miller</figcaption>
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<p>UNLV running back Tim Cornett is upset over his team being shut out of the<a href="http://mylvsports.com/unlv/cornett-feeling-disrespected-after-rebels-blanked-on-all-mountain-west-team/"> preseason all-league honors</a>.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4554636/video-unlv-rb-tim-cornett-upset-over-all-league-snubsJeremy Mauss2013-07-24T16:58:59-07:002013-07-24T16:58:59-07:00VIDEO: UNLV's Bobby Hauck is optimistic about 2013
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<figcaption>Ethan Miller</figcaption>
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<p>Bobby Hauck is on the hot seat and knows that he needs to get more wins to be around for the 2014 season.</p> <p>UNLV Bobby Hauck knows the pressure is on for him to greatly improve off of the three-straight seasons of just two wins. Hauck is <a href="http://mylvsports.com/unlv/hauck-optimistic-2013-will-be-a-fun-season-for-rebels/">optimistic since the team is returning 18 starters</a> and has an experienced squad coming back with 17 seniors and 31 juniors.</p>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4554608/video-unlvs-bobby-hauck-optimistic-about-2013-seasonJeremy Mauss2013-07-24T16:42:42-07:002013-07-24T16:42:42-07:00Nevada motivated by lack of respect
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nevada was picked fourth in the Mountain Division, and that did not make defensive lineman Jordan Hanson all that happy.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/nevada-wolf-pack" class="sbn-auto-link">Nevada Wolf Pack</a> were <a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/22/4545890/mountain-west-champions-boise-state-fresno-state/in/4308201" target="_blank">picked to finish fourth place in the West Division</a>, and that was not popular with defensive lineman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116347/jordan-hanson" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Hanson</a>. Teams ahead of Nevada are Fresno State, San Jose State and San Diego State.</p>
<p>Hanson let his frustration out about being <a href="http://www.rgj.com/article/20130723/SPORTS06/307230021" target="_blank">extremely upset over being projected so low</a>:</p>
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<p>"To me, it p***es me off," Hanson, a junior tackle for Nevada, said at the conference's annual media day event at the Cosmopolitan Hotel-Casino on Monday. "I'm pretty sure it p***es everyone on the team off."</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>"It gives us fuel going into camp," Hanson added. "You never want to be complacent. I think something like this shakes up a lot of guys in their minds. Everyone's counting us out. In my mind, that's a pretty good place to be because you can shock the world. I'd rather be the underdog."</p>
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<p>Being projected fourth better light a fire under those players who think they were this great team, but now they have this bulletin board material to prove themselves to be better than the projected fourth place spot.</p>
<p>The offense led behind quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116318/cody-fajardo" class="sbn-auto-link">Cody Fajardo</a> running the pistol offense, and they have <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37095/brandon-wimberly" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Wimberly</a> plus whatever running backs they plug into the pistol offense. The defense is the issue and Hanson needs to uplift his unit to perform better if Nevada wants to finish better than fourth in the West Division.</p>
<h4>More from Mountain West Connection:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4543914/10-things-to-watch-this-csu-season-pt2">10 Things to Watch this Colorado State Season</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4553004/mwc-media-days-media-had-predicted-correct-champion-just-six-times">MWC Media Days: Media had predicted correct champion just six times</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/podcast/2013/7/24/4553168/podcast-recapping-mountain-west-football-media-days">PODCAST: Recapping Mountain West football media days</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4554408/derek-carr-2012-abdominal-tear" target="_blank">Derek Carr played all of 2012 hurt</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4551484/san-diego-state-has-goal-to-make-a-bcs-game">San Diego State has goal to make a BCS game</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/24/4554532/nevadas-fourth-place-finish-provides-motivation-for-teamJeremy Mauss