2019 Mountain West Football Midseason Surprises, Disappointments, Awards
Taking a look at the midway point of Mountain West football.
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Look back and ahead to MW football
Mountain West football is at the halfway point so our staff takes a look back at how the conference so far this year with a series of questions. There are awards, picks and favorite moments.
Player of the Midseason:
Jeremy: Curtis Weaver, Boise State, STUD
Brandon T: Curtis Weaver, Boise St STUD
Raja: Curtis Weaver, Boise State STUD
Ted: Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Brad: Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Josh F: Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Brandon B: Curtis Weaver, Boise State, STUD
Sam: Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Roger: Curtis Weaver, Boise State
Coach of the Midseason:
Jeremy: Brent Brennan, San Jose State
Brandon T: Bryan Harsin, Boise State
Raja: Bryan Harsin, Boise State (non-homer pick, undefeated is undefeated)
Ted: Rocky Long, San Diego State
Brad: Craig Bohl, Wyoming
Josh F: Brent Brennan, San Jose State
Brandon B: Brent Brennan, San Jose State
Sam: Craig Bohl, Wyoming
Roger: Rocky Long San Diego State
Offensive player of the midseason:
Jeremy: Cedric Byrd, Hawaii, WR
Brandon T: Cedric Byrd, Hawai’i WR
Raja: Josh Love, San Jose State QB
Ted: Cole McDonald, Hawaii QB
Brad: Cole McDonald, Hawaii QB
Josh F:Josh Love, San Jose State QB
Brandon B: Cole McDonald, Hawaii QB
Sam: Cole McDonald, Hawaii QB
Roger: Josh Love, San Jose State QB
Defensive player of the midseason:
Jeremy: Curtis Weaver, Boise State, STUD
Brandon T: David Woodward, Utah St LB
Raja: Curtis Weaver, Boise State STUD
Ted: Kyahva Tezino, San Diego State LB
Brad: David Woodward, USU LB
Josh F: Justin Rice, Fresno LB
Brandon B: Curtis Weaver, Boise State, STUD
Sam: David Woodward, USU LB
Roger: Kyahva Tezino, San Diego State LB
Special teams player of the midseason:
Jeremy: Brandon Talton, Nevada, PK
Brandon T: Brandon Talton, Nevada K
Raja: Brandon Talton, Nevada PK
Ted: Brandon Talton, Nevada PK
Josh F: Brandon Talton, Nevada K
Brandon B: Brandon Talton, Nevada, PK ( I mean who else would it be..lol)
Sam: Dominik Eberle, USU K
Roger: Tyson Dyer, Punter New Mexico
Newcomer of the midseason:
Jeremy: Hank Bachmeier, Boise State, QB
Brandon T: Melquise Stovall, Hawai’i WR/KR
Raja: Hank Bachmeier, Boise State QB (don’t overthink this/a TF is going to be MWC All-Conference QB1 or QB2)
Ted: Sean Chambers, Wyoming, QB
Josh F: Dante Wright, CSU WR
Brandon B: Hank Bachmeier, Boise State, QB
Sam: Hank Bachmeier, Boise State, QB
Roger: Sean Chambers, Wyoming QB
Game of the Midseason:
Jeremy: Pick just one!??! There have been a few great games. One could pick San Jose State’s upset win over Arkansas on the road. Go back to Week 1 which saw Boise State come from behind to beat Florida State, Nevada over Purdue, Wyoming topping Missouri, or maybe the Nevada and San Jose State game that was a nailbiter and a few others.
I will go with the season-opening game of the Mountain West which saw Hawaii hold off Arizona in a shootout game that saw multiple turnovers and quarterbacks play for the Warriors. It ended on Arizona QB Khalil Tate running on the final play of the game but get stopped at the 1-yard line which secured a Warriors 45-38 win.
Brandon T: It was probably the comeback win for Nevada over Purdue 34-31 in week one. Putting up 27 unanswered in the late 3rd and 4th qtr and K Brandon Talton with a 56 yarder to win it.
Ted: Wyoming vs. San Diego State. Great old-school super physical football game. Sean Chambers vs. Ryan Agnew was seriously entertaining. Chambers, a freshman is going to be a menacing quarterback in the years to come. Agnew played the second half incredibly well and during a scramble threw a cross body touchdown pass in full sprint. Aztecs were grateful to escape with a win against a team that defeated Mizzou and Texas Tech.
Raja: The best conference game is the Aztecs/Ryan Agnew backward sprint to lose to the Aggies. The best game is of course Boise State defeating Florida State in Tallahassee. One of the biggest true road victories in MWC history, the Broncos stormed back in the second half to overcome a big deficit and score a signature victory. Hank Bachmeier will own the MWC for 3 more years and this was the game where Hurricane Hank was born.
(Raja- Ted here…You’re only bashing Agnew because he beat BSU on the smurf turf last year)
Brad: Colorado State at Utah State. It was the one time all season Colorado State played as close to a full game as they could and then the meltdown began. Up until then, it was a back and forth in all three phases of the game.
Josh F: San Jose State beating Arkansas. It was nice to see the Spartans turning a corner a little bit. They’ve struggled for a long time and Brett Brennan looks to have them on the right track to start competing in the Mountain West.
Brandon B: Nevada vs Purdue: That comeback, given what we know now about Nevada was just incredible and really amazing to review. San Jose State beating Arkansas and Wyoming or Missouri were good as well because as an alum of an SEC school I like seeing other SEC schools lose.
Sam: This one is easy. Hawaii’s season opener vs Arizona. It was a game so ugly it was beautiful. Both teams made big plays and big mistakes, usually one after the other. Cole McDonald even got benched at one point because he was throwing so many picks! The Bows held on for the win against a surging Khalil Tate and stopped him literally inches from the goal line to preserve shootout victory.
Roger: Wyoming vs SDSU, this was a great game with old school physicality on every play. Man was it physical and really represented two of the best old school coaches in the MWC, both Rocky Long and Craig Bohl. Outstanding play by both quarterbacks Sean Chambers & Ryan Agnew. Defenses were flying to the ball and it was obvious that both of these two teams hated to lose this game, hence it going down to the wire with Agnew scrambling and throwing across his body into the endzone for the winning touchdown.
Midseason Biggest Surprise:
Jeremy: San Jose State being 3-3. The Spartans were projected to win at most two games but they have already past that and are really close to being 4-2 but they fell to Nevada on a game-winning kick against them. Not just beating Arkansas but dominating that game could be a program-changing win for Brent Brennan’s career in San Jose. Also, Josh Love might be the best quarterback with the surname of Love within the Mountain West.
Brandon T: San Jose State no doubt a big surprise after beating a P5 team in Arkansas. Overall the MW West teams are starting to produce a better product on the field and slowly catching up with the strong Mountain teams.
Raja: Bulldogs futility. We all knew deep down that their triumphant year as the torch bearer and conference champion would not be glorious but this is embarrassing for all involved. Fresno State will always disappoint when the lights are the brightest and 2019 is no different.
Ted: Wyoming is a hell of a team, and Craig Bohl is a hell of a coach. Don’t let the 4-2 record fool you: this team is really, really good. Sean Chambers is a beast, and this team will run the ball right down your throat.
Brad: Wyoming. Craig Bohl said after the win over Missouri that Wyoming had better speed than Missouri. What? Wyoming has more speed than an SEC team? Hello.
Josh F: The fact that more Mountain West teams aren’t ranked/receiving votes. The Mountain West has the most wins against the P-5 this year and the teams in this league are better than some of the schools ranked/receiving votes.
Brandon B: San Jose State being 3-3 is a surprise to me because I figured they would three games all year but now they have a chance to be bowl eligible.
Sam: It has to be Wyoming. Craig Bohl has made the Cowboys a legitimate contender in the Mountain Division. They have a very strong defense, even when banged up, and a just productive enough offense to keep opposing teams honest. The Mizzou win was awesome, and while the Tulsa game was a bitter disappointment the Cowboys no doubt wish they could have back, they’ll only have two legitimate tests in the Mountain Division in USU and BSU. They’ll have a shot to win both those games.
Roger: There is no doubt, it would have to be the success of Coach Craig Bohl and the Wyoming Cowboys. To be 4-2 at this time of year, Sean Chambers at the quarterback position and the strength of the offensive line that is coached by former New Mexico player Bart Miller. I watched this team against the SDSU Aztecs and they are a very good team and as physical as anyone in the MWC this year. I would have to say San Jose State being 3-3 at this point in the season as well.
Midseason Biggest Disappointment:
Jeremy: Utah State quarterback Jordan Love is struggling this year and it is a trend that goes back to last year where he had a tough go against really good defense. The LSU game is an anomaly really since the Tigers are really, really good but those three picks were bad to have. He has six touchdowns to eight picks. Part of this has to do with new talent around him but if Love is considered at top-five quarterback for the 2020 NFL Draft he should be better.
Brandon T: Fresno State while not out of defending their title this year is somewhat not what I expected them to be at this point in the season. At 2-3 Jorge Reyna is a disappointment so far as the starting QB. The Bulldogs hope he can turn it around and finish games when they are close.
Ted: Fresno State’s lackluster season is a disappointing surprise.
Raja: Utah State crapping themselves vs Wake Forest. Come on Aggie faithful, you keep telling us to take you seriously but you have to someday finish the job. MWC could have 2 ranked teams with San Diego State on the horizon right now but we don’t. Utah State will never win a big game. If that’s harsh, prove me wrong Aggies.
Brad: Utah State not living up to expectations plain and simple.
Josh F: Jordan Love not living up to the hype.
Brandon B: Fresno State being 2-3 is a surprise and not in a good way. Most of us on the site figure they would take a step back from the past two years but they just looked flat against Air Force and with the rest of the Western Division of the Mountain West getting better (Hawaii, San Diego State and Nevada) a fourth place finish looks possible. A hard fall for a team that won the league last year.
Sam: It’s a tossup between Fresno State underperforming and Jordan Love not living up to the hype. Love not putting up similar numbers to last year was a given with the harder schedule and new personnel on offense, but there have been head-scratching throws and some downright painful ones, too. He should be doing better than he is.
As for the Bulldogs, they don’t look anything like defending conference champions. They look dazed and confused much of the time, and while their QB has had his moments, they’ve fully lived and died by him. Their defense also appears to be a significant step down from last season.
Roger: Fresno State Bulldogs play this year after last year and being defending conference champions and Jordan Love being hyped up before the season and not living up the billing, so far. I would also have to say that New Mexico Lobos Quarterback’s Tevaka Tuioti & Sheriron Jones not consistent in any one thing this year for Bob Davie’s Lobo, & how bad the Lobo defense has or giving up huge numbers in the secondary.
One Big Midseason Takeaway:
Jeremy: This might be a cop out but how great the Mountain West was against Power Five teams. This shows the league has a lot more depth and good depth in the conference. The nine wins in non-conference play vs. P5 teams is the most in all of college football.
Brandon T: The level of play overall is much much better than last year and the Mountain West is knocking at the door to be included as a Power 6 conference. They still have some catching up to do with institutions investing in their football program like upgrading facilities and higher coaches salaries but with great success comes a greater amount of money coming in.
Raja: Life comes at you at fast. Colorado State was supposedly set to join the Big 12 instead this is Mike Bobo’s likely last year in Fort Collins. Fresno State went from champ to chump and San Jose State, sheesh! We know Boise is good and New Mexico and Colorado State but not sure what to make of the other 9 teams halfway through the year.
Brad: Coaching changes needed at Colorado State and New Mexico. Whether they happen or not is another question.
Josh F: P6 is moving West. The level of play has risen in this conference and is well on its way to reclaiming the glory that was held before realignment.
Brandon B: The Mountain West is the best Group of Five league in the nation, the folks at the American can go sit down somewhere shush, especially UCF. Boise State is Boise State. We may have three job openings in the Mountain West (UNLV, Colorado State, New Mexico) San Jose State, Bravo!
Sam: The bottom of the league is BAD. New Mexico needs a new coach. They’re easily the worst team in the conference. CSU is only slightly better having beaten the Lobos, but their coach appears to be on his way out, too. Tony Sanchez has failed at UNLV, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
Roger: How strong the MWC conference is this year and wins against the Power Five teams, this league has proven to be very strong for the limited budgets against the much bigger national programs have had great success. Colorado State and New Mexico lack of success this year is a big disappointment her at midseason form.
One Big Prediction For The Second Half:
Jeremy: Wyoming quarterback Sean Chambers will lead the Cowboys to a bowl game but he will not crack 45% for the season with his completion percentage. Currently, Chambers has completed just 38.1% for the year through the midway point.
Brandon T: It looks like Boise State’s only big test in the MW is going to Logan it could be a dog fight with possible bad weather on top of that. This game should determine the representative for the Mountain. The West seems wide open with San Diego St, Hawai’i, Fresno St and even Nevada isn’t out of making a run for the title game in December. I see the SDSU at Hawai’i game to settle the West representative.
Raja: I’ll stick with my preseason pick of Aztecs of San Diego State at Boise State in the MWC Championship Game. Aztecs will drop one game but get there ranked at 10-2 and Boise State will be in the top 10 and undefeated. This will be the best championship game in terms of team quality.
Brad: Wyoming develops a passing game. That happens and watch out.
Josh F: San Diego State slips up and Hawaii is the West division champion. The Aztecs have no offense and they can be exploited on defense.
Brandon B: Boise State will win the Mountain division hands down. The West division is going to be decided on the last weekend of the season. We Will get Boise State vs Hawaii for the Mountain West title, Boise will win in a close one and head off to a New Year’s Six Bowl game.
Sam: Perhaps it’s the homer in me talking, but I think USU can hit double digit wins. If they make it out of October with wins against Nevada and Air Force, USU’s next biggest test will be against Boise State for the division crown. If Love can recapture some of the magic he had last season and Jaylen Warren makes it back from injury to help down the stretch, the Aggies can spoil Boise’s magical season.
Roger: Think we will have a repeat of Rocky Longs Aztecs playing Brian Harsins Boise State Broncos in MWC championship if the trend continues and no major injuries. But have to say that Hawaii could be the spoiler as well. Wyoming will continue to get stronger and finish strong for a bowl birth.
