LAS VEGAS – Boise State has been chosen to finish atop the Mountain Division, while three-time Mountain West champion Fresno State has been predicted to win the West Division title, as announced today by the Mountain West at its annual media days, being held at Green Valley Ranch.
This marks the seventh season of divisional play for the Conference, which moved to the two, six-team divisional format in 2013 following the additions of San José State and Utah State. The Mountain Division is comprised of Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Utah State and Wyoming, while Fresno State, Hawai‘i, Nevada, San Diego State, San José State and UNLV make up the West Division. The two divisional winners will meet in the MW Championship Game on Dec. 7, 2019 at the home stadium of the divisional champion with the highest winning percentage in Conference games only.
Boise State, which has been predicted to win the Mountain Division the last six seasons, returns 14 starters, including six on offense and seven on defense, from a 2018 squad that finished with a 7-1 Conference record. The Broncos garnered 15 first-place votes and 120 total points.
Fresno State earned 17 first-place votes in the West Division, earning 122 total points. This is the second-consecutive year the Bulldogs have been favored to win the division. Last year, Fresno State compiled a 7-1 record in MW play and won its third MW championship with a 19-16 overtime victory over Boise State. The Bulldogs, who ended the 2018 campaign with a victory over Arizona State in the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl, returns 12 starters from last season.
Utah State received 108 points for second place in the Mountain Division, with Air Force’s 73 total points good for third place. Wyoming (66), Colorado State (52) and New Mexico (22) round out the Mountain Division poll.
This is the highest Utah State has been picked to finish since 2015.
San Diego State picked up three first-place votes and 106 total points, good for second place in the West Division. Nevada was third with 74 points, followed by Hawai‘i (67), UNLV (51) and San José State (21). The Rainbow Warriors earned the other first-place vote.
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
- 1. Boise State (15) 120
- 2. Utah State (6) 108
- 3. Air Force 73
- 4. Wyoming 66
- 5. Colorado State 52
- 6. New Mexico 22
WEST DIVISION
Rank Team (first-place votes) Points
- 1. Fresno State (17) 122
- 2. San Diego State (3) 106
- 3. Nevada 74
- 4. Hawai‘i (1) 67
- 5. UNLV 51
- 6. San José State 21
