The annual pre-season Mountain West Conference checklist always seems the same:

Have a good number of players become fantasy-friendly (i.e….lots of stats):  Check.

Dominate the BCS conference mostly to the west of us (Pac-10):  Check.

Crash the BCS:  Check.

The MWC has been active in the 2010 off-season, becoming one of the players in the recent conference re-shuffling (losing Utah, but gaining Boise State).  During the 2010 regular season, the MWC will also produce a number of fantasy prospects, including TCU QB Andy Dalton (photo, thanks Scout.com)

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AIR FORCE FALCONS

You have a lot of late-round options on the AFA roster in 2010.   Starting at QB, Tim Jefferson (848 yds pass, 5 pass TDs; 254 yds rush, 4 rush TD) should beat out Connor Dietz (369 rush yds, 1 TD), as Jefferson has a better arm.  Jefferson is a nice late consideration.

The top fantasy consideration on the AFA roster will be FB Jared Tew (970 rush yds, 9 TDs), who is guaranteed to get nearly 20 carries per game.  Another good consideration is TB Asher Clark (865 rush yds, 7 TDs), who was formerly the Falcons starting QB.  Although Air Force passes around 10-12 times per game, WR Kevin Fogler had 567 rec yds, 5 TDs receiving, and averaged nearly 23 yards per catch last season…and someone to consider late-draft.

The AFA Defense was one of the best fantasy defenses in America last season, and could be as good as they return 6 starters….a large number for a service academy.  Including those returnees from a theft-happy defense is CB Anthony Wright, who had 7 INTs last year.  Seems like you can also be stopped by the US Air Force….take the Falcon defense in your draft.

BYU COUGARS

It will be an interesting season in Provo as the Cougars will have to replace some key players who put up big numbers the past few seasons.

QB Max Hall moves on, and it still is up in the air as who will replace him.  Riley Nelson has the most experience (mainly while he was at Utah State), while incoming freshman Jake Heaps was arguably the top HS QB in the nation last season.   Favor Nelson as the starter on opening day, as I do not see Heaps getting the start as a true freshman, as he will most likely head off on a Mormon mission the next two seasons.  Note also, Nelson is much more mobile than his predecessor Hall….and makes him a strong fantasy consideration.

The biggest loss may be RB Harvey Unga, who was booted out of school for moral infractions.  Losing a certain-1000 yd rusher is huge, and replacing him will be tough.  The top replacement will be J.J. DiLuigi, who is a good receiver out of the backfield, like Unga, but lacks Unga’s size.  DiLuigi will be a nice late-round pick up.

The Cougars also lose TE Dennis Pitta, who was one of the most productive TEs in the land….his replacement most likely will be freshman.  At WR, big-play specialist WR McKay Jacobson (556 yards, 24.2 per catch, 4 TDs) returns, and put up respectable numbers even while missing 4 games.   O’Neill Chambers (376 yds, 1 TD), Luke Ashworth (367 yards, 4 TDs), and true freshman Ross Apo are good late-round considerations.

COLORADO STATE RAMS

After a dismal 3-9 season, the Rams will need new players to step up on offense, replacing a cadre of productive players

The most interesting addition will be true freshman QB Pete Thomas, who is a big-time recruit seldom seen in Fort Collins.   Thomas should beat out the veterans ahead of him on the roster….but, wait until your free agent/supplemental draft to grab him.

WR Tyson Liggett (253 yards, 3 TDs) is the top returning WR, and will most likely be the main target of Thomas.  At RB, John Mosure (6 TDs last year) or UCLA transfer Raymond Carter should get the bulk of the carries.  Likewise as with Thomas, hold off on the Rams WRs and RBs until free agent/supplemental time.

NEW MEXICO LOBOS

This was a bad football team last season, whose highlight was a fight among the coaching staff.  UNMs best player, QB Donovan Porterie, has used up his eligiblity….thank God for him.

Probably the only fantasy-worthy player may be WR Ty Kirk, who had 427 receiving yards and 2 TDs…and that is stretching it.   The Lobos best chance for success may be the weekend of October 16th….they are off that weekend.

SAN DIEGO STATE

With a favorable non-conferece slate, San Diego State will have some good fantasy considerations in 2010.

QB Ryan Lindley threw for over 3000 yards and 23 TDs in 2009, and could throw for more in head coach Brady Hoke’s offense.  Lindley’s top two targets are back, WRs DeMarco Sampson (851 yds, 8 TDs) and Vincent Brown (778 yds, 6 TDs).  The three will make good late-round fantasy picks, and you may end up playing them more in 2010 than you planned.

The ground game was weak at SDSU last season, but Brandon Sullivan (675 toal yds, 4 total TDs) will move to FB…and he will do more than just block.  Sullivan makes a decent late-round pick, or, one to consider during free agent/supplemental drafting.   Note that the Aztecs return most of their O-Line from last season.

TCU HORNED FROGS

After a 2009 season where they just dominated the MWC, TCU appears to have another dominant season in the works.  The top fantasy consideration is QB Andy Dalton, who threw for nearly 2800 yards and 23 TDs in 2009….while rushing for 512 yards and another 3 TDs.  With most of his key weapons returning, Dalton will be a definite #2 QB for your fantasy roster….maybe even strong enough to be your #1 QB.

At RB, there is not one fantasy standout, but there are good candidates for late draft picks.  Sophomores Matthew Tucker (676 yds, 8 TDs) and Ed Wesley (638 yds, 4 TDs) will lead a balanced ground attack, running behind 4 returning O-Line starters.  Waymon James is a redshirt frosh who should see some playing time in 2010.

There is a lot of balance and depth at WR, which means that each individual Horned Frog WR is a late pick at best.  Jeremy Kerley led the team in rec. yards with 532, and had 4 total TDs (2 TDs on punt returns).  Jimmy Young (517 yards, 3 TD) and Antoine Hicks (478 yds, 8 TDs) also catch their share of passes.

With seven returning starters, the TCU Defense will be one of the best in the nation.  Although they lose All-American DE Jerry Hughes, the Horned Frog defense may be even better this season (at least for fantasy) as the MWC, as a whole, does not look as strong on offense for 2010.  Also, PK Ross Evans scored 96 points last season (including 15-18 FGs)…and will be one of the top PKs this season.

UNLV REBELS

A new coach (Bobby Hauck, from FCS Montana) is at UNLV this season, and there will be some talent on the roster.

QB Omar Clayton is a better QB than his numbers reveal (2230 yds, 13 TDs passing)…and will have WRs Phillip Payne (661 yds, 7 TDs) and Michael Johnson (464 yds, 1 TDs) to throw to.  All three are late-round considerations, with Payne being the best in the group.

RB duties could be split with Channing Trotter and C.J. Cox…though Trotter did have 9 TDs last season.  I would hold off on Rebels RBs until free agent/supplemental draft.

UTAH UTES

In their final season in the MWC, the Utes have a few late-round fantasy considerations.  QB Jordan Wynn, who started the last 6 games for the Utes, threw for over 1300 yards and 8 TDs, and should beat out Terrance Cain for the starting QB job (although Cain is a better runner).   Take Wynn late…if he does not pan out, Cain could get the call.

Utah is deep at RB, with Eddie Wide and his 1000+ rushing yards (12 TDs) returning.  His value may be a little diminshed, as backfield mate Matt Asiata (330 yards, 4 TDs) was granted a sixth-year of eligibility.  Expect both backs to see playing time….Wide is the small, speedy back, while Asiata is a big bruiser.

At WR, the top fantasy consideration is Jereme Brooks, who had nearly 700 yards and 7 TDs last season.  An interesting pick late could be WR Shaky Smithson, who rushed for 198 yards, had 100 yards receiving, and also returns kicks and punts.

PK Joe Phillips is a kicker to look for late, or free agent/supplemental…as he hit 20 FGs last season, scoring 98 points.

WYOMING COWBOYS

Fresh off a bowl-game winning season in 2009, the Cowboys will have some interesting fantasy considerations.  QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is a late-round consideration, not so much for his passing (1953 yds, 10 TDs), but for his running (366 yds, 3 TDs).  The sophomore’s production should improve a little in 2010.

Alvester Alexander is a serviceable back, rushing for 640 yards and 7 TDs in 2009, but is not much of a target in the pasing game (8 catches).  At WR, David Leonard is a top target, with 705 yards and 3 TDs…but averaged only 9 yards per catch in 2009.

Related posts:

1. 2009 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE ALL-FANTASY TEAM
2. MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE 2009 PREVIEW
3. SUN BELT CONFERENCE 2010 PREVIEW
4. CONFERENCE USA 2010 PREVIEW
5. 2008 MOUNTAIN WEST PREVIEW

Tags: Air Force, Andy Dalton, BYU, Mountain West Conference, TCU, Terrence Cain, Utah