Mountain West 2025 Conference Preview

2025 Mountain West Championship: Boise St. over SJSU

Regular Season Predicted Order of Finish

1. Boise State University Broncos

Head Coach: Spencer Danielson- At School and Overall: (15-3) 2 Years

Impact Players: QB Maddux Madsen, RB Sire Gaines, RB Malik Sherrod, RB Jambres Dubar, LT Kage Casey, WR Latrell Caples, WR Austin Bolt, TE Matt Lauter, DE Jayden-Virgin Morgan, DT Braxton Fely, LB Marco Notarainni, CB A’marion McCoy, S Zion Washington, S Ty Benefield

Preview: 

Broncos fans really couldn’t have asked for a better 2024 campaign. Boise St won 12 games, won the Mountain West, got a bye in the College Football Playoffs, and had the Heisman runner up. The hope is to repeat that success in 2025. Losing a player of Jenaty’s caliber is never easy, but Boise was able to keep the rest of their offense more or less intact. QB Maddux Madsen is back after throwing for over 3,000 yards in 2024. Also returning are Madsen’s two most productive receivers from a year ago, WR Latrell Caples and TE Matt Lauter. Replacing Ashton Jeanty is almost impossible. The Heisman candidate leaves a hole in the offense that will try to be filled by a committee approach. This committee will be made up of returning reserves RB Sire Gaines and RB Jambres Dubar and Fresno transfer RB Malik Sherrod. Whoever takes the reigns of the RB room will be running behind an o-line that is returning 4 starters littered with all-conference players. More good news for the Broncos is that they are returning a ton of production on defense. DE Jayden Virgin-Morgan and DT Braxton Fely combined for  over 15 sacks in 2024. The linebacker unit is one of the more inexperienced groups on the team, but will be led by LB Marco Notarainni, who had 60 tackles as a rotational player. The secondary is loaded. Returning all four starters including leading tackler S Ty Benefield. The Broncos are loaded; able to return 13 starters during a time when Group 5 schools that experience success get pillaged in the portal. They will have the best offense in the league and one of the best defenses to boot. Danielson is building a winning culture that rivals Power 4 programs and the expectation for the Broncos is a return to the CFP. 

Final Record Prediction: 11-1 (8-0)

2. San Jose State University Spartans

Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo- At School: (7-6) 1 year; Overall: (116-89) 17 years

Impact Players: QB Walker Eget, RB Floyd Chalk, RB Jabari Bates, DT Gafa Faga, LB Taniela Latu, LB Jordan Pollard, S Isiah Revis

Preview: 

QB Walker Eget took over in Week 6 last season and is now entering in the 2025 season as the Spartans’ starting QB. Playing along side Eget is RB Floyd Chalk, who ran for over 700 yards last year behind an oline that is returning 3 starters in 2025. The most noticeable gap in the Spartan offense is at receiver. The departure of 1,300 yard receiver Nick Nash leaves San Jose St. without a clear cut number one on the outside. Defensively, the Spartans are returning as much production as anyone in the conference. LB Jordan Pollard was an all-conference player in 2024 and will be joined by fellow standouts LB Taniela Latu and LB Ethan Powell in the middle. For the front 7, 5 of the 7 starters either started in 2024 or saw time as a rotational piece. The secondary lost some depth in the portal but was able to retain all-conference S Isiah Revis. CB Jalen Bainer has some paying experience. Niumatalolo is one of the most well respected coaches in college football. His Navy teams played with toughness and energy that led them to be more successful than their talent level would indicate. Niumatalolo is looking to instill that same toughness in San Jose. 2024 was an up and down season but with the experience returning, year number 2 under Niumatalolo could end in vying for a MW title.

Final Record Prediction: 9-3 (7-1)

3. University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels

Head Coach: Dan Mullen- At School: 1st year; Overall: (103-61) 13 years

Impact Players: QB Alex Orji, QB Anthony Colandrea, RB Jai’Den Thomas, RB Jaylon Glover, RB Keyvone Lee, WR Troy Omeire, WR JoJo Earle, LB Marsel McDuffie, S Jaheem Joseph, CB Aamaris Brown 

Preview: 

Dan Mullen is back from his 4 year coaching hiatus to lead a Rebels program that won 20 games in 2 years under Barry Odum. Mullen’s first task as new HC of UNLV will be to name a QB. The decision comes down to two Power 4 transfers, ex-Michigan Wolverine Alex Orji or ex-Virginia Cavalier Anthony Colandrea. Both provide a dual-threat component that Mullen has favored in the past. Whoever takes the snaps will be throwing to a new look receiver room that also includes a couple of Power 4 transfers. WR Troy Omeire and WR JoJo Earle expect to have big years for the Rebels. Returning to Vegas is all-conference running back Jai’Den Thomas, who will spearhead a loaded running back room. The glaring weakness is the offensive line, which does not return a starter from 2024. It will be a new look for the 2025 Rebel defense as LB Marsel McDuffie is the lone returning starter from the 2024 unit. McDuffie will act as the leader of the defense and a front seven made up of Power 4 transfers, including DT Jalen Lee. In the secondary, former Kansas CB Aamaris Brown will most likely start on one side with Arizona St transfer CB Latarrance Welch starting on the other. Dan Mullen has had success at the highest level of college football, but he also has had his share of failures. His return to coaching included overhauling the roster with a bevy of Power 4 talent. If Mullen and his assortment of transfers hit the ground running, the Rebels can find themselves in the hunt for a MW title and a CFP appearance. 

Final Record Prediction: 9-3 (6-2)

4. Colorado State University Rams

Head Coach: Jay Norvell – At School: (16-12) 3 Years; Overall: (49-47) 8 years

Impact Players: QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, RB Justin Marshall, RT Aaron Karas, TE Rocky Beers, DL Mukendi Wa-Kalonji, S Ayden Hector, DE JaQues Evans

Preview: 

The bad news for the Rams offense is that they have to replace 3 starting offensive lineman and their most productive weapon on offense from 2024. The good news is QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is returning for his Junior season and one of his returning offensive lineman, T Aaron Karas, is one of the best in the league. Also returning on offense is RB Justin Marshall, who ran for over 700 yards a season ago. Transfer TE Rocky Beers from FIU was a spring stand out and could become Fowler-Nicolosi’s favorite target. The only returning starter from last season is DL Mukendi Wa-Kalonji, who will be playing alongside Power 4 transfer edge rusher JaQues Evans. Apart from that, the Linebacking core and Secondary is up in the air. Transfers have been brought in to fill the gaps and, if they can play to their full potential, should help keep the defense competitive. Last season Colorado St went 6-1 in conference play and was a tiebreaker away from playing for the MW title. This season the expectations are high. Head Coach Jay Norvell is hoping that the program’s last season in the MW (moving to the new Pac-12) can end in a title.

Final Record Prediction: 8-4 (5-3)

5. California State University, Fresno Bulldogs

Head Coach: Matt Entz- At School: 1st year; Overall: (60-11) 5 years

Impact Players: QB EJ Warner, RB Bryson Donelson, RB Elijah Gilliam, RB Rayshon Luke, WR Josiah Freeman, DE Korey Foreman, CB Al’ Zillion Hamilton, S Camryn Bracha, S Jayden Davis, S Simeon Harris

Preview: 

The FBS era of Matt Entz coaching career finally begins. Entz previously coached at storied FCS program North Dakota St. winning 2 FCS National Championships in his time there. One key for Entz will be to continue Fresno St.’s recent history of high scoring offense. In the offseason, Entz brought in former Temple and Rice QB EJ Warner, son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, to lead the offense. Warner will get the luxury of playing behind one of the most experienced o-line units in the conference and next to a RB room that is loaded with talent. RB Bryson Donelson came into form late last season and RB Elijah Gilliam is an experienced back. Defensively, Fresno St’s secondary will be the strength of that unit. S Jayden Davis will start alongside DB Simeon Harris and all-conference CB Al’Zillion Hamilton. The front seven is expected to be led by DE Korey Foreman and LB K’vion Thunderbird. The last few seasons Fresno has been towards the top of the conference but has not been able to get over the hump. Entz is hoping to be that shot of adrenaline that the program needs to get back to being title contenders. 

Final Record Prediction: 7-5 (5-3)

6. Air Force Academy Falcons

Head Coach: Troy Calhoun- At School and Overall (135-89) 18 years

Impact Players: QB Josh Johnson, QB Liam Szarka, RB/WR Cade Harris, FB Dylan Carson, C Costen Cooley, DT Payton Zdroik, LB Blake Fletcher, LB Luke Fisher

Preview: 

The Air Force Falcons begin their 2025 season with a QB battle. QB Josh Johnson and QB Liam Szarka are both inexperienced and with neither standing out in the spring, the competition could continue into fall camp. The good news is the Falcons are returning 5 players with starting experience on the oline, making them one of the more experienced units in the league. Behind them is the famed military triple-option. FB Dylan Carson and RB/WR Cade Harris will be the featured ball carriers on offense. DT Payton Zdroik is one of the program’s leading pass rushers and has a chance to keep climbing the ladder this season. Outside of Zdroik, the defense is inexperienced. LB Luke Fisher and LB Blake Fletcher played sparingly last season and will take over the middle of the field. The secondary is a major concern with only S Houston Hendrix returning as a starter and CBs with very little experience. Air Force started the season an abysmal 1-7 including blowout losses to rivals Army and Navy. The Falcons did manage to end the season on a 4 game win streak to give the team some momentum into the offseason. The questions at QB and defense raise a lot of red flags, but the grit and toughness of Air Force can’t be denied and as long as they can continue to run the ball down opponents throats, a bowl game will be within reach.

Final Record Prediction: 7-5 (4-4)

7. University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

Head Coach: Timmy Chang- At School and Overall: (13-25) 3 years

Impact Players: QB Micha Alejado, RB Landon Sims, RB Cam Barfield, WR Pofele Ashlock, WR Nick Cenacle, DE Elijah Robinson, LB Jalen Smith, LB Logan Taylor, S Peter Manuma

Preview: 

Hawai’i legend Timmy Chang enters his fourth year as the Rainbow Warriors head coach and this year there is a sense of confidence around the program. QB Micah Alejado maintained his freshman status by only playing in 4 games last season, but in those games showed flashes of a future star. Returning is leading rusher RB Cam Barfield as well as pass catchers Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle to give Alejado much needed weapons at the skill positions. The offensive line will be a work in progress as it goes through a rebuilding phase with new faces. The d-line will be made up of primarily transfer students led by DE Ka’eo Akana. The LB unit will be led by LB Jamih Otis and LB Jalen Smith. The secondary needs to be rebuilt after departures at corner, but S Peter Manuma has been a staple of the defensive backfield and a leader on that side of the ball. Although they may still be a ways away from contention for the MW title, the Rainbow Warriors are improved and should compete for a bowl game in December. It rests on whether or not QB Micah Alejado can continue to progress as a reliable signal caller.

Final Record Prediction: 5-7 (3-5)

8. Utah State University Aggies

Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall- At School: 1st year; Overall: (140-88) 18 years

Impact Players: QB Bryson Barnes, WR Corey Thompson, TE Broc Lane, LT Trey Andersen, CB Noah Avinger, CB Bryson Taylor, S Ike Larson

Preview: 

Bronco Mendenhall takes over the Aggie program following a short stint at New Mexico. Mendenhall is one of the most experienced coaches in the FBS and is looking to put that experience to use with a program that was in disarray in 2024. QB Bryson Barnes will take over the starting signal caller duties after splitting time in 2024. The rest of the offense will rely heavily on transfer talent to produce. RB Miles Davis comes to Logan after playing sparingly at BYU. WR Corey Thompson comes to Utah St. from fellow MWC member UNLV. TE Broc Lane is a returning starter. On defense, only 3 starters return, but of those 3, 2 were all-conference players a season ago. DT Gabriel Iniguez will lead the defensive line and S Ike Larsen will lead the secondary. LB John MIller should take over one of the starting linebacker spots, but the rest of the jobs on the defensive unit are up for grabs. Mendenhall is one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the conference. In his time at BYU in the MWC, Mendenhall won 10+ games 4 times and won the title twice. With the Aggies, Mendenhall is hoping to build a similar successful program. He brought in over 40 players through the portal and although a title shot may not be in reach, the Aggies should be competitive in most games.

Final Record Prediction: 5-7 (3-5)

9. San Diego State University Aztecs

Head Coach: Sean Lewis- At School: (3-9) 1 year; Overall: (27-40) 6 years

Impact Players: QB Jayden Denegal, QB Bert Emmanuel, WR Jordan Napier, C Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli, DE Trey White, LB Tano Letuli, CB Chris Johnson, S Dalesean Staley, S Eric Butler

Preview:

San Diego St. enters year 2 of the Sean Lewis era with the hopes of improving on one of the worst seasons in recent program history. Ex-Michigan QB Jayden Denegal looks to have won the starting job over former CMU QB Bert Emmanuel, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both under center at some point this season. The offense should be more improved regardless of who is at QB with RB Lucky Sutton taking over bell-cow duties. G Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli is an all-conference player and will anchor the offensive line. Defense has always been a strength of the SDSU program. Last season; however, the defense looked like a shell of itself, finishing at the bottom of the conference statistically. The good news is that the defense is returning great production in 2025, including 10 starters. Up front, DE Trey White was an all-conference player and will play across breakout candidate DE Brady Nassar. LB Tano Letuli will lead a linebacker unit that consists of former starters and tons of playing experience. Safeties Delesean Staley and Eric Butler will anchor a secondary consisting of all-league CB Chris Johnson. In the mid 2010s, the San Diego St. program was the pinnacle of the MW, winning 49 games from 2015-19. The last few seasons have been lows for the program, but there is confidence and hope for the 2025 team. The defense is returning every key player from last season and if one of the transfer QBs can be a hit, SDSU could return to postseason play.

Final Record Prediction: 5-7 (3-5)

10. University of Wyoming Cowboys

Head Coach: Jay Sawvel- At School and Overall: (3-9) 1 Year

Impact Players: QB Kaden Anderson, RB Sam Scott, TE John Michael Gyllenborg, WR Jalen Sargent, DE Tyce Westland, CB Kenny Parks, LB Gary Rutherford

Preview: 

2024 starting QB Evan Svoboda was benched in favor of QB Kaden Anderson in Week 9 of last season. Since then, Svoboda has moved to TE and Anderson was named the starter for 2025. Anderson is playing behind an oline that is returning 3 starters, including C Jack Walsh. In the passing game, WR Jaylen Surgent will be WR1, but the primary target for Anderson will most likely be all-conference TE John Michael Gyllenborg, who returns to Laramie despite offers from Power 4 programs. The running back room is inexperienced. The Cowboys defense was hit hard by both the portal and graduation, opening the door for redshirt freshmen LB Gary Rutherford to potentially take over the starting linebacker position and leader on defense. On the defensive front, DE Tyce Westland will be called upon to be the team’s leading pass rusher. The secondary is a major concern with almost every spot open for competition going into the fall. Wyoming is typically in the upper half of the MW standings, but last season’s 3-9 record saw them fall to 10th. The defense has depth but remains to be seen if players can separate themselves in camp. On offense, Anderson’s progression will be pivotal in determining how far this unit can go. 

Final Record Prediction: 4-8 (2-6)

11. University of New Mexico Lobos

Head Coach: Jason Eck- At School: 1st year; Overall: (23-13) 3 years

Impact Players: QB Jack Layne, RB Scottie Humphrey, WR Keagan Johnson, LB Dimitri Johnson, S Austin Brawley, DE Keyshawn James-Newby

Preview: 

Head Coach Jason Eck comes to Albuquerque after spending the last few seasons leading FCS Idaho. With him comes Idaho QB Jack Layne, who threw for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. At RB, another FCS standout will get the call to be the workhorse for the Aggies as RB Scottie Humphrey comes over from FCS Montana State after a 1,300 yard season. The running back room is the best unit on offense and will be counted on with the rest of the offense in question. On defense, returning LB Dimitri Johnson and Randolph Kpai are the team’s leading returning tacklers and leaders on that side of the ball. Joining Eck from Idaho is DE Keyshawn James-Newby, who is set to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher. The secondary is made up entirely of transfers, most of which are from the FCS level. Eck brought with him tons of new faces when he took the New Mexico job, many of which are coming from the FCS. UNM hasn’t posted a winning season or made a bowl game since 2016. Eck has experience winning at the collegiate level, but whether or not the assortment of FCS transfers translate to a Mountain West schedule will determine just how successful this coaching change will be. 

Final Record Prediction: 3-9 (1-7)

12. University of Nevada Wolfpack

Head Coach: Jeff Choate- At School: (3-10) 1 year; Overall: (31-31) 6 years

Impact Players: RB Chubba Purdy, RB Herschel Turner, WR Marcus Bellon, DT Thomas Witte, LB Nahji Logan, LB Stone Combs

Preview: 

2025 will finally be the year that QB Chubba Purdy, brother of NFL QB Brock, is able to take sole reign of QB duties. Following stops at Florida St and Nebraska, Purdy set behind QB Brendon Lewis, who transferred to Memphis, last season. Purdy will be playing behind a reshaped o-line returning 2 starters following the departure of others to the transfer portal. On the outside, WR Marcus Bellon will act as the go-to target for Purdy. In the backfield, So. RB Herschel Turner is set to take over as the workhorse. The defense was decimated by the transfer portal leaving just DT Thomas Witte as the sole returning starter from a season ago. LB Stone Combs will be asked to step up and take on a leadership role as well as the starting linebacker position. Playing alongside him will be former UMASS and Indiana LB Nahji Logan. The secondary needed to be rebuilt and will rely on a mix of transfer talent and reserve players stepping up to a larger role. The Ken Wilson era was a rough one (4 wins in 2 years) and the Choate era didn’t get off to a much better start. The hope is that the experience Purdy brings to the offense will allow the team to be more competitive week in and week out, but a bowl game might still be out of reach.

Final Record Prediction: 3-9 (1-7)