Las Vegas Hosts the Annual Mountain West Media Summit
The glittering Palm resort on the Las Vegas Strip has become the gathering point for coaches, analysts and media personalities who converge each year to dissect the upcoming Mountain West football season. The venue, known for its sweeping views of the desert horizon, sets the stage for a week of interviews, press conferences and the unveiling of the conference’s preseason all‑conference team.
While the league has traditionally released a formal predicted order of finish, this year’s media day agenda omitted that specific forecast. Instead, a collective ballot compiled by participating voters offers a snapshot of expectations, highlighting which programs are viewed as front‑runners and which face a steep climb.
Among the teams receiving the most preseason love is New Mexico, which analysts project to sit atop the conference standings. The Lobos’ resurgence is anchored by a revamped offensive scheme and a defensive unit that appears poised to tighten up after a season of incremental improvement.
UNLV, despite the departure of standout quarterback Anthony Colandrea, is expected to remain competitive. The Rebels’ roster includes several returning starters, and sophomore standout Jai’Den Thomas has been tabbed as the Most Valuable Player for the upcoming campaign.
North Dakota State’s transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision continues to generate buzz. The Bison, who have captured ten national titles in the past fifteen seasons, are bringing a seasoned quarterback and a deep talent pool to the FBS ranks.
Hawaii’s Timmy Chang era shows no signs of slowing, with the Rainbow Warriors having posted a nine‑win season a year ago. The team’s offensive firepower earned Micah Alejado the preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor.
Air Force, after enduring back‑to‑back seasons without a bowl appearance, is banking on the return of quarterback Liam Szarka to spark a resurgence. The Falcons’ triple‑option attack remains a hallmark of their playbook, and the coaching staff believes the experience gained in recent years will translate into on‑field success.
San Jose State enters the conversation as a wild‑card program, having posted the second‑lowest productivity metrics among the 138 FBS schools. The Spartans’ ability to exceed expectations could reshape the mid‑tier landscape.
Wyoming’s defense is projected to remain one of the conference’s strongest units, but offensive inconsistencies have persisted. The Cowboys will need to find a rhythm at the quarterback position to complement a solid defensive front.
Northern Illinois, a program that has earned 14 bowl appearances in the last twenty seasons, missed the postseason in four of the past six years. The Huskies hope to reclaim their bowl‑eligible form as they prepare for a new chapter in the Mountain West.
UTEP, one of three new football‑sponsoring institutions slated to join the conference in 2026, carries a storied history but has not posted a winning conference record since 2014. The Miners will be looking to leverage their new environment to break past patterns of underachievement.
Individual accolades were also part of the discussion, with Jaxton Eck of New Mexico slated to receive the Defensive Player of the Year award, Micah Alejado of Hawaii honored as Offensive Player of the Year, and Jai’Den Thomas of UNLV named the preseason MVP.