The Mountain West Conference unveiled its preseason rankings this week, placing New Mexico at the summit as the league’s most anticipated contender for the 2026 campaign.
The Lobos rode a breakthrough 2025 season that delivered their first bowl victory in program history, and they return a core group of starters that should keep them in the conversation for a historic run.
UNLV, under second‑year coach Dan Mullen, is also pegged for a title run despite a roster that has seen considerable turnover, with the coaching staff emphasizing continuity on both sides of the ball.
North Dakota State, freshly promoted from the FCS ranks, enters the season after a $17.5 million transition investment and opens against Jacksonville State in Week 0, aiming to prove that the Bison can compete at the highest level right away.
Hawaii brings back quarterback Micah Alejado, who helped the Rainbow Warriors climb from three wins in 2023 to nine a year later, and the team hopes that experience will translate into a sustained push for a bowl berth.
Air Force, which has missed the postseason for two straight years, will rely on returning quarterback Liam Szarka and top rusher Owen Allen, but a defense that struggled last season will need to tighten up if the Falcons are to break the streak.
Nevada, in Jeff Choate’s third year, faces a schedule that includes matchups with UCLA, New Mexico, Hawaii and UNLV, and the Wolf Pack hopes to finally shed the three‑win seasons that have defined recent years.
Key Storylines
San Jose State returns minimal production after a swing from seven wins in 2024 to three in 2025, making their season opener against No. 14 USC a litmus test for an unpredictable but potentially competitive campaign.
Wyoming, guided by head coach Jay Sawvel, has shown offensive improvement but still sits at 7‑17 over his first two seasons, and a bowl appearance could be the catalyst for securing a fourth year at the helm.
Northern Illinois, now under interim coach Rob Harley, ranks near the bottom of the conference in passing yards and will need to overhaul that unit to stay competitive in the Mountain West.
UTEP’s move from Conference USA to the Mountain West adds another layer of challenge, as the Miners have averaged just 2.9 wins per season over the past decade and must adapt to a new set of rivals.
The non‑conference slate sets the tone for many of these programs, with high‑profile road tests against Power Five opponents and early conference battles that could shape bowl eligibility before the midpoint of the season.