Christensen: Breeding Optimism

By Todd Christensen
August 1, 2011

The recent Mountain West football meetings in Las Vegas for the coaches and media were an interesting study in promoting excitement and winning possibilities.  I’ve drawn the analogy of Spring Training in baseball before, that being that everyone is even at this juncture and no one has lost yet, thus the Sanguine mindsets.

Here’s what I observed being around the coaches and some of the key players for these teams.  Beginning with Boise State, there was a quiet confidence among the Broncos that belied their record.  If I were Chris Peterson with a 61-5 career mark I might have a marching band follow me everywhere I go!   But, they are the new guys on the block and wisely played themselves as low-key, being content to let their record and their two BCS victories speak for themselves.  In Kellen Moore, they have one of the two favorites for the Heisman Trophy, the other being Andrew Luck of Stanford.  But when you see him up-close, or "on-the-hoof" as old coaches liked to say, he’s not an intimidating physical specimen.  It reinforces how meticulous the Boise State brass is in the recruiting process as they see more than just the measurables.

TCU had arguably their greatest football season in their history in 2010, going undefeated and winning the Rose Bowl.  The downside is that 27 seniors are gone from that team, including four-year starter at quarterback, Andy Dalton.  But the Horned Frogs always play quality defense and with skill players like Wesley, Boyce and Hicks, they’ll be in the hunt every game this season.  

Air Force has possibly their most athletic team in a decade, led by Tim Jefferson and Asher Clark on offense.  Coach Calhoun's ongoing lamentation about the lack of athleticism in his charges may fall on deaf ears now, as this might be his best team yet.  The second game of the season should be interesting when TCU visits Colorado Springs.

San Diego State broke through in a big way in 2010 with a nine-win season and a bowl victory.  Gone are DeMarco Sampson and Vincent Brown, who accounted for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns receiving but with the return of Ryan Lindley and Ronnie Hillman, who broke a number of Marshall Faulk's records as a freshman, the Aztecs will certainly be competitive.  With Brady Hoke now in Ann Arbor, the lot falls to Rocky Long to lead the black and red to another successful campaign.

Year Two in the career of Pete Thomas as the quarterback for the Colorado State Rams will certainly be an improvement upon his true freshman campaign.  If the offensive line jells and Raymond Carter can stay healthy, they could put up some points.  But there’s a definite improvement that needs to be made on the defensive side of the ball.  Michael Sisson and his mates need to raise their level of play, particularly in the run defense.   

Wyoming is going to have three freshmen battle for the signal-caller rights after Austin Carta-Samuels abruptly left school.  But with the return of Alvester Alexander, their running game appears to be in good shape and with the front seven returning in tact on defense led by Brian Hendricks and Kosh Biezuns, the Cowboys could surprise some people.

If BJ Holbrook can stay healthy and get the ball downfield to Ty Kirk and Lucas Reed, then the Lobos might be a threat to some opponents.  UNLV played a lot of young people with Tim Cornett and Caleb Herring showing some promise.  But it is holdover Philip Payne who will need to make some big plays for the Rebels to make a dent.
 
But this is all on paper.  On the field can be a different matter, so let's get started.
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