Shane Illingworth, shown against Boise State last season, is one of three quarterbacks expected to compete for the Wolf Pack’s starting role.
Photo by Thomas Ranson.
Boise State was named Wednesday as a solid favorite to win the 2023 Mountain West football title in voting done by the conference’s media contingent.
The Broncos received 28 of the 37 first-place votes in the media poll, released Wednesday by the conference. Boise State’s 433 points easily outdistanced second-place Air Force’s 364.
Nevada wound up 11th in the balloting, totaling 92 points and finishing in front of only New Mexico. The Wolf Pack is coming off a 2-10 season in coach Ken Wilson’s first year leading the team.
Rounding out the top five in Wednesday’s voting were Fresno State, San Diego State, and San Jose State.
Boise State and Air Force are scheduled to meet Nov. 25 in Boise. With the MW also scrapping its two-division format this season, the teams are also the early favorites to have a rematch at the Mountain West Championship Game on Dec. 2.
Nevada does not play either the Broncos or the Falcons this season. In addition to rivalry games against UNLV and Colorado State, the Wolf Pack’s key conference games are against Fresno State, San Diego State and Wyoming.
Air Force (2), Fresno State (5), San Diego State (1), and UNLV (1) also received first-place votes.
Also Wednesday, Nevada was shut out in the balloting for the preseason All-Mountain West team.
The major honors went to San Jose State’s Chevan Cordeiro (offensive player of the year); Wyoming’s Easton Gibbs (defensive player of the year); and San Diego State’s Jack Browning (special teams player of the year).
The 2023 college football season opens Aug 26, with three MW teams playing. All 12 conference teams will be in action the next weekend, including Nevada traveling to face USC.
The annual two-day Mountain West football media event is Wednesday and Thursday at the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
The complete Mountain West preseason poll:
1. Boise State, 433 points (28 first-place)
2. Air Force, 364 (2)
3. Fresno State, 351 (5)
4. San Diego State, 338 (1)
5. San Jose State, 293
6. Wyoming, 281
7. Colorado State, 201
8. Utah State, 194
9. UNLV, 177 (1)
10. Hawaii, 102
11. Nevada, 92
12. New Mexico, 60
