Utah State picked to finish fourth in Mountain Division in pre-season poll
The Utah State football team was picked by the media to finish fourth in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference, as announced this morning at the league’s annual media summit in Las Vegas.
Boise State was unanimously picked to win the six-team Mountain Division, with Wyoming and Colorado State also finishing ahead of the Aggies respectively.
Last season the Aggies were picked last in the Mountain Division before posting a 6-7 overall record, 4-4 in conference play, and finishing fourth in the MWC. This year’s pre-season poll directly reflects the final standings and order of finish in the division from last season.
Utah State returns nine starters on offense as well as nine on defense from last year as head coach Matt Wells leads the Aggies into his sixth season at the helm.
On the other side of the poll in the West Division, defending-champ Fresno State was narrowly picked to repeat as winners of the division with 16 first-place votes and 126 total points, while San Diego State earned six first-place votes and 116 total points. UNLV, Nevada, Hawai’i and San Jose State follow respectively.
Winners of each division will square off in the MW Championship Game which is set for Dec. 1 and will be held at the home stadium of the divisional champion with the best conference record.
Utah State will kick off the season Aug. 31 when they take on Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. The first home game will be held Sept. 8 when USU plays New Mexico State.
Mountain Division
Team Points
1. Boise State (22) 132
2. Wyoming 95
3. Colorado State 82
4. Utah State 78
5. Air Force 52
6. New Mexico 23
West Division
Team Points
1. Fresno State (16) 126
2. San Diego State (6) 116
3. UNLV 78
4. Nevada 72
5. Hawai’i 45
6. San Jose State 25
(first place votes)