Last season, the Mountain West Conference had co-champions in Boise State, Fresno State, and San Diego State. With the expansion of the MWC in 2013, there will be a definitive champ by playing a conference championship game to end the season. 

The additions of San Jose State and Utah State from the former Western Athletic Conference boosts the strength of the MWC. There are six teams projected to become bowl eligible, but Nevada and Wyoming are predicted to finish just outside the six wins needed for eligibility. 

Boise State is projected to win the MWC Championship, but the Broncos could easily falter along the way. In 2013, Boise plays on the road at Washington, Fresno State, Utah State, BYU, and San Diego State; those opponents had a home winning percent of over 90 percent last season (28-3). It looks very likely that they will lose at least one road game, most likely at Washington or BYU. 

In conference play, Boise State at Utah State could be a game to decide the Mountain Division, but San Diego State also beat Boise on the Blue last season so the Aztecs are definitely a dangerous cross-division conference matchup. Another challenge for Boise State will be Fresno State, especially since the Bulldogs have possibly the best quarterback in the MWC.

However, the Broncos' schedule is ranked 83rd in the CFU strength of schedule rating so another double digit win season should be expected if they do not gather a conference title. Boise State coach Chris Petersen has a knack for developing winning teams. If Utah State could have kept Gary Andersen, the boys in blue would have a more certain test in the Mountain Division.   

There is a lot of parity in the upper half of the MWC and the West Division could be tightly contested. San Jose State is projected to win the West, but San Diego State and Fresno State could easily contend in or win the West.  

Nevada is a team that is not necessarily bad, but will likely struggle with bowl eligibility in 2013. The Wolf Pack is ranked 50th in the CFU Strength of Schedule rankings and play tough away games at UCLA, Florida State, San Diego State, Boise State, and Fresno State (27-6 combined home record in 2012). They also play tough games at home including BYU and San Jose State. Nevada could grind out a couple more wins than the projected 5-7 record, but it will be a tough road to get to a bowl game for the Wolf Pack. Departure of longtime coach Chris Ault is also bound to have an effect on Nevada in some way. 

Team, Overall Record, Conference Record

Each school is linked to a 2013 preview.

*Division Champions.

The 2013 Preseason All-Mountain West Conference Team by College Football Universe is posted below. Fresno State has the most players listed on the first team with six; next teams up with the most first team players are San Jose State with five, Boise State and San Diego State with four each. New Mexico and Utah State have two apiece as well as Colorado and Nevada both had one player make the first team. 

While the Mountain West Conference does have talent on defense and maybe more overall than offense, there are some stand-out quarterbacks in the MWC that are poised to have great seasons. If Fresno State QB Derek Carr has another spectacular year, he could be a top five rated NFL quarterback by the end of 2013. MWC quarterbacks Cody Fajardo (Nevada), David Fales (San Jose State), and Chuckie Keeton (Utah State) are all players to watch.

Boise State looks to once again continue the success that has been established under head coach Chris Petersen. The Broncos are the only FBS program that has 10-or-more wins in each of the last seven seasons and that is largely due to Petersen, the winningest active coach in the FBS. 

The schedule is definitely backloaded for Boise State, who were co-champions of the league last year, along with Fresno State and San Diego State. Each team posted 7-1 conference marks in the final year of the league as a 10-team conference. 

Boise closes its 2013 slate with four straight conference road games against some of the league’s better teams - Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State. The last two games in particular could go a long way in deciding who plays for the conference title in December.

The Broncos return 12 starters, including five on either side of the ball, from the team that beat Washington in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas. Fifth-year senior quarterback Joe Southwick is back after throwing for 2,730 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. Southwick is one of four fifth-year seniors back to lead the offense. 

The others are left tackle Charles Leno, Jr., center Matt Paradis and wideout Kirby Moore. Redshirt junior receiver Matt Miller is the other returning offensive starter. Moore and Miller give Southwick sizable options on the outside. Both are 6-foot-3 and combined for 102 catches for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns last season. 

The Broncos will have to find a replacement for running back DJ Harper, who has moved on after rushing for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. Sophomore Jay Ajayi is the probable choice after rushing for 548 yards and four scores as a redshirt freshman. Sophomore Jack Fields, who totaled 135 yards on the ground last year, should see increased playing time.

"I think we’re making progress there," Petersen said about the run game this spring. "We’ll put the tape on, but it’s been fairly consistent a lot of spring." 

The Broncos defense allowed just 15.8 points per game and forced 36 turnovers with a plus 20 turnover margin. The defense will again be led by end Demarcus Lawrence, who tallied 9.5 sacks as a redshirt sophomore. The 6-3, 244-pound Aiken, S.C., native will be joined by senior tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, sophomore end Sam Ukwuachu, and safeties Jeremy Ioane and Darian Thompson as returning starters on a unit that led the MWC and ranked 12th nationally in total defense. 

The biggest losses were at linebacker and cornerback, where leading tackler J.C. Perry and top corner Jamar Taylor have graduated. But there's a reason the Broncos have seven straight 10-win seasons, they have great depth. Defensive linemen Tyler Horn and Corey Bell, linebacker Blake Renaud and cornerbacks Bryan Douglas, Donte Deayon and Ebo Makinde should all help keep the Broncos among the league's best.

Boise State will have a new placekicker, but senior punter Trevor Harman is back while Shane Williams-Rhodes returns to handle kick return duties and will likely handle punt return duties as well. Junior receiver Dallas Burroughs could also be in the mix.

Boise's recruiting class includes 19 freshmen and several junior college transfers - cornerbacks Cleshawn Page and Mercy Maston, running back Derrick Thomas, kicker Tyler Raush and defensive tackles Justin Taimatuia and Tutulupeatau Mataele.

With a new coach and a new conference for the program this season, Utah State could immediately contend with Boise State for supremacy in the expanded Mountain West Conference. In 2012, the Aggies were the champions of the Western Athletic Conference in its last season and defeated rival Utah for the first time since 1997.  

Wells takes over for Gary Andersen, who departed to become the new coach at Wisconsin after Bret Bielema bolted for Arkansas. Wells, a Utah State alumnus, spent two seasons as an assistant under Andersen, including as offensive coordinator last season. Under Wells, the offense ranked 23rd nationally. He definitely has plenty to work with as the Aggies return 18 starters, including eight on offense, seven on defense and three on special teams.

Junior quarterback Chuckie Keeton started all 13 games last season and has 21 career starts. A dual threat quarterback, Keeton posted some pretty good numbers in his first full season as a starter. He threw for 3,373 yards with 27 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions and also ran for 619 yards and eight scores. His rushing total was second-best on the team, behind the 1,519 yards put up by Kerwynn Williams, who has moved on. Junior running back Joe Hill will slide in to replace Williams. Hill ran for 269 yards and seven scores while catching 10 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns last season.

The Aggies also bring back all five offensive line starters, including four seniors and junior left tackle Kevin Whimpey, whose brother, Kyle is the starting right guard. They should ease Hill's transition to starter while giving Keeton enough time to find returning pass catchers Travis Reynolds and DJ Tialavea. The Aggies graduated their top five receivers, with Reynolds as the leading returner with just 25 receptions for 244 yards and a score last year. Tialavea, a senior tight end, caught just six passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Last season, Utah State had a stellar defense allowing just 15.4 points per game (7th overall), ranking 14th nationally in yards allowed per game, and blocking six kicks. For 2013, the Aggies must replace most of the secondary with four lettermen now gone. Back are senior cornerback Nevin Lawson and junior safety Brian Suite. The biggest loss in the secondary may be Will Davis, who led the team with five interceptions in 2012. 

The defense will be led by senior linebacker Jake Doughty and junior linebacker Zach Vigil, who both tallied more than 100 tackles last season. They'll be joined at linebacker by sophomore Kyler Fackrell while sophomore defensive end Jordan Nielsen could be a starter opposite senior Connor Williams, who led the team with six sacks last season. Doughty was arrested in March for purchasing alcohol for minors, but the university declined to comment on the arrest. 

The Aggies return most of their special teams units intact. Junior punter Jaron Bentrude will again serve double duty as the holder on field goals for junior kicker Nick Diaz, who made 10 of 13 field goal attempts and converted all 40 point after attempts. Hill and  sophomore receiver Bruce Natson will again return kicks and punts. Bentrude will replace Tyler Bennett as the full-time punter.

Wells' first recruiting class has 16 freshmen, two players returning from LDS missions and six JuCo transfers, including two each at the team's biggest need positions - cornerback and wide receiver. Expect immediate contributions from receivers Ronald Butler and Ryan Watson and corners Marwin Evans and Jeremy Morris.

"This class was really geared toward bringing in young, talented players on the offensive line and then junior college players at the skilled positions," Wells said. "We added talent in the back end of our defense in the secondary, along with at running back and wide receiver on offense." (UtahStateAggies.com)

The Spartans had a great 2012, finishing second in the WAC and defeating Bowling Green in the Military Bowl. After the season, head coach Mike MacIntyre resigned to take the same position at Colorado and Caragher came over from the University of San Diego to replace MacIntyre. The Spartans enter their first season in the Mountain West Conference with high expectations and hope to build on the successful 2012 campaign. 

Senior David Fales returns under center after having a breakout 2012 season. He threw for 4,193 yards with 33 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Fales was also the most accurate passer in the FBS in 2012. The departure of De'Leon Eskridge at running back will leave junior Tyler Ervin to carry the load, after only rushing for 205 yards in 2012. 

The Spartans have a good core of wide receivers. All-WAC selection Noel Grisby will be returning for his senior year after an 82-catch, 1,307-yard, and nine-touchdown season. Also returning at wideouts are senior Chandler Jones (54 receptions, 691 yards, and 11 touchdowns) and junior Jabari Carr (62 receptions, 639 yards and 4 touchdowns). 

A huge void will be left at tight end with the departure of Ryan Otten, as the Spartans will look for someone to step up. The offensive line is anchored by All-WAC selection senior Nicholas Kaspar at guard. Senior tackles Jon Meyer and Pal Amar will try to replace the departed David Quessenberry.

The defensive line features two All-WAC selections at defensive tackle in senior Anthony Larceval and junior Travis Raciti, who will have to step up after the departure of WAC Defensive Player of the Year Travis Johnson. Two senior linebackers return as starters after a standout 2012 season, in All-WAC honorees Vince Buhagiar and Keith Smith. The defensive backfield is led by senior cornerback Bene Benwikere, who led the Spartans in interceptions last season with seven. Junior defensive back Forrest Hightower also returns.

On special teams, standout sophomore kicker Austin Lopez after being named All-WAC as a freshman. Senior Harrison Waid returns as punter after averaging 42.3 yards last season. Tyler Ervin was the return specialist last season returning kickoffs for 599 yards and two scores, but may see that role diminished if he becomes a featured back in the offense.

Fresno State's first year in the Mountain West Conference went about as well as one could expect. The Bulldogs finished co-champions of the MWC with a 7-1 conference record. The Bulldogs put up big numbers all season long, including a 69-14 win against Colorado, but saw themselves outgunned by SMU in the Hawaii Bowl during a 43-10 defeat.

Senior quarterback Derek Carr returns after putting up amazing numbers on his way to being named MWC Offensive Player of the Year. Carr threw for 4,104 yards with 37 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. 

"I think that as good of a quarterback as he is, he could be the greatest in Fresno State history and he's got one more year to do that," DeRuyter said. "We haven't had a Heisman Trophy winner here. We haven't gone to a BCS bowl. Those things are out there for a great leader like him and I think that's a challenge he's looking forward to." (GoBulldogs.com)

Sophomore running back Marteze Waller will try to fill the hole left by the departing Robbie Rouse, who made up almost all of the rushing attack last season with 1,490 yards and 12 scores. At wide receiver, Davante Adams returns after a record-breaking freshman year that saw him grab 102 catches for 1,312 yards and 14 scores and a unanimous vote for the All-MWC team. Senior receiver Isaiah Burse is another receiver returning after a 57-catch and 851-yard season with six scores. 

Senior tight end Marcel Jensen is back as well after posting 20 grabs for 339 yards and four touchdowns.  The offensive line features three starters coming back for 2013 in seniors Lars Bramer and Austin Wentworth and junior Cody Wichmann.

The defensive line is anchored by junior nose tackle Tyeler Davison, who recorded 43 tackles and was selected to the All-MWC team. Senior defensive ends Andy Jennings and Nikko Motta return as starters. Returning starters at linebackers include senior Patrick Su'a (who recorded 37 tackles in 2012) and junior Donovan Lewis. 

The defensive backfield will be in recovery mode after the departure of MWC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American safety Phillip Thomas, but will still feature standout free safety junior Derron Smith, who was named to the All-MWC team after 79 tackles and 6 interceptions in 2012. Junior cornerback Sean Alston returns after picking off five passes last season.

The Bulldogs special teams will be in the hands of new kickers with senior Blake Dunn taking over field goal duties from the departed Quentin Breshears and sophomore Garrett Swanson handling punts and kickoffs. Isaiah Burse should handle kick return duties again after a 651-yard season in 2012.

San Diego State improved in coach Rocky Long’s second year, finishing co-champion of the Mountain West Conference and only losing one conference game in a 52-40 loss to Fresno State. The Aztecs finished out the year with a seven-game win streak before suffering a 23-6 loss to BYU in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Before the spring game, Long said, "This team will not be the same team as last year. Hopefully, we'll be as good or better than we were last year, but the personality of the team will change."

Junior quarterback Adam Dingwell should take over as the full-time starter after sharing time under center with the departed Ryan Katz last season. In 2012, Dingwell threw for 939 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in limited action. What will help Dingwell is having running back Adam Muema back after a stellar campaign that saw him rush for 1,458 yards and 16 scores last season. Senior fullback Chad Young should continue to grow as a pass-catching back after posting 18 catches and three scores. 

Returning wide receivers include senior Colin Lockett with 293 yards along with three touchdowns last season and junior Ezell Ruffin with 319 yards in 2012. The departure of tight end Gavin Escobar will hinder the Aztec offense, as returning junior Adam Roberts only had three catches. The offensive line is made up of mostly inexperienced juniors, with the exception of senior Bryce Quigley.

The defensive line features returning starters junior Sam Meredith and sophomore Jon Sanchez.  The linebacking corps has two solid returning starters in juniors Jake Fely and Derek Largent, as well as senior Nick Tenhaeff. 

Standout defensive backs include senior safety Nat Berhe, who led the team last season with 94 tackles and had two interceptions, senior Eric Pinkins, who recorded 65 tackles and tied for the team lead with three picks, and junior King Holder, who had 33 tackles.

Senior kicker Wes Feer is back for the Aztecs, as is sophomore punter Seamu McMorrow, who averaged 41.7 yards per punt last season. Colin Lockett should again be the featured kick returner after having an excellent 2012 with 777 yards and two touchdowns on kick returns.

Brian Polian, the son of former NFL executive Bill Polian, has some big shoes to fill by taking over a Nevada program that has become synonymous with former coach Chris Ault. In Ault’s 28 years in Reno, he won 233 games and led the Wolf Pack to 10 bowl games while overseeing the program’s transition from I-AA to the FBS ranks in the Western Athletic Conference and then the Mountain West. 

While Nevada did have four players at the NFL Combine last February and had two defensive backs drafted in April, the cupboard isn’t exactly bare for Polian.

The former special teams coordinator at the University of Buffalo, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Texas A&M has the luxury of having junior quarterback Cody Fajardo returning. Fajardo is an early dark horse for the Heisman after throwing for 2,786 yards and 20 touchdowns with seven interceptions last season while rushing for 1,121 yards and 12 more scores. 

Fajardo’s rushing yards were second only to now-graduated Stepfon Jefferson’s 1,883. The main rushing duties this season could fall to Fajardo or backup quarterback Devin Combs as the Wolf Pack do not return a single running back with a career rushing attempt. Junior transfer Don Jackson is one of four JuCo transfers and could slide immediately into a starting role. Guard Chris Barker has also graduated after starting 53 games in his four years as a starter. 

Senior wideout Brandon Wimberly led the team with 845 receiving yards and he returns, but Zach Sudfeld, who had a team-high eight TD receptions, has moved on. Junior wideout Richy Turner was second with 752 receiving yards and his 71-yard score against Wyoming was a season best for Nevada. 

The loss of cornerback Khalid Wooten will be felt in the return game and on defense. Wooten, who was a sixth-round draft pick in April by the Tennessee Titans, was Nevada’s primary punt returner and led the team with two interceptions. Safety Duke Williams was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round. Williams was second on the team in tackles to linebacker Albert Rosette, who has also moved on. 

Junior defensive end Brock Hekking, third on the team with 75 tackles and a team-high eight sacks, is back. Hekking is one of three defensive lineman returning, along with senior Jack Reynoso and junior Jordan Hanson. It will be a complete rebuild mode at linebacker and in the secondary.

In the return game, junior receiver Kendall Brock, who caught seven passes for 76 yards and a score last year, should be used more. Senior punter Chase Tenpenny returns, but junior Colin Ditsworth will assume the full-time kicking duties left by Allen Hardison. 

Last year, coach Troy Calhoun had his first losing season at Air Force, but still took the Falcons to their sixth straight bowl game. The Falcons will have a bit of a rebuilding season in 2013 with just 10 total starters returning and only three on offense; punter David Baska and long snapper Harrison Elliott return on special teams. 

One thing that has kept Air Force on track is its ability to control the clock with a dominant rushing game and playing disciplined football. The Falcons were among the fewest penalized teams in the nation last season.

That could bode well for Air Force this season as the Falcons hope to make a seventh straight bowl appearance. Air Force was one of the youngest teams in the country last year, with 25 players making their first starts at some point during the season. That trend will continue in 2013.

"We just got to come up with ways at least as you get later in the year if you are going to run into somebody that has 40 or 50 more pounds," Calhoun said in a post-game bowl interview. "We got to find a way to fix some things and just tinker a little bit and yet still make sure we’re doing something we are completely committed to doing."

Senior quarterback Connor Dietz has graduated and running back Cody Getz has also moved on after rushing for 1,248 yards. Junior Jon Lee should assume the starting role at tailback. Lee rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Ty McDonald is the only starting skill position player. He caught 24 of the team's 83 completions for 411 yards and two touchdowns. Two of the three returning offensive starters are on the line and that should help Air Force maintain its strong ground attack.

The biggest weakness on defense is at linebacker, where the Falcons will have to find replacements at each spot. Junior safety Christian Spears was fourth on the team last year with 91 tackles and is the team's leading returning tackler. Junior defensive back Steffon Batts is also back after making 77 stops and two interceptions last season. Senior Chris Miller gives the Falcons three returning starters in the secondary. 

Sophomore defensive end Alex Hansen and junior defensive end Joseph Champaign are back after having four and 2.5 sacks, respectively. Both ends weigh 240 pounds and should see improvements in 2013. Hansen’s four sacks tied with now-graduated linebacker Alex Means for the team high.

Wyoming had a shaky start to 2012, losing three straight to open the season before edging out last place Idaho in overtime 40-37. The season's biggest headlines came after a loss to Air Force on October 13, when coach Dave Christensen got into an altercation with Falcons coach Troy Calhoun, as Christensen accused Calhoun of having his quarterback fake an injury in order to manipulate the clock.

Junior quarterback Brett Smith returns after having a solid 2012, throwing for 2,832 yards with 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The Cowboys running game is in need of help, as sophomore running back D.J. May only ran for 369 yards and is the projected starter again this season. 

The receiving corps will suffer with the departure of Chris McNeill, but should see good productivity from senior Robert Herron and Dominic Rufran. Junior J.D. Krill, a JuCo transfer from Mission Viejo, Calif., is the projected starter at tight end, while the offensive line is led by senior guard Tyler Strong. Redshirt freshman Chase Roullier is projected to be the starter at center.

The Cowboys defense will need to rebuild in 2013, after the departure of its three top tacklers. The defensive line features senior tackle Patrick Mertens and sophomore end Eddie Yarbrough, the 2012 team sack leader. The lone returning starter at linebacker is junior Mark Nzeocha. 

The most experienced facet of the Wyoming defense is the backfield, as junior cornerback Blair Burns returns after a 60-tackle season and is accompanied by senior corner Marqueston Huff. Junior Darren White will start at strong safety, while junior Chad Reese will return at free safety after leading the team with three interceptions last season.

Junior Stuart Williams will return as the Cowboys' kicker after hitting only 58.3 percent of field goal attempts last season and is also projected to take over punting duties. Wyoming's return game was dismal last season and will need more productivity from May and Burns.