[BigdaddyQH]

The MWC made a statement last season, winning 4 out of 5 bowl games, two against the BCS Conference's Pac 10. With the goal of inclusion in the BCS set, look for MWC teams to give an extra effort against BCS opponents this season, even though many get hit hard by graduation. A rundown:

TCU had a great season shot down in the Fiesta Bowl last year. This year, 9 of 11 starters return on offense, led by QB Dalton. The defense loses 5 starters, and gets hit in the secondary. The schedule may present a major problem for TCU. Right now they have two openings in the schedule, and only have one BCS conference opponent, a home game against Baylor. With a schedule like that, TCU will not make it to the big game, and can not afford a loss if it wants to return to any BCS game. WAGERING NOTES: TCU has a healthy 11-3 ATS record vs non-con teams in the past 4 seasons. Their overall ATS record of 40-16 in the past 5 years is one of the best in the NCAA.

UTAH HC Wittingham found a great QB in Soph Wynn. He played very well last year. Unfortunately 6 starters form that offense leave, but the depth is there. Utah also gets hit hard on the defensive side of the ball, losing 7 starters, including all 3 starting LB's and both safeties. Replacing those players is priority #1. The schedule features a home opener vs Pitt, and a trip to South Bend. WAGERING NOTES: Utah is 5-12 ATS vs non-con teams in the past 5 years. They are 9-0 S/U and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 bowl games.

BYU will have to replace QB Hall on offense this season. They lose two other seniors, but should have a solid running game. The defense gets hit very hard losing 7 starters and a lot of depth. The LB position loses 6 out of 8 on last years two deep roster. The schedule is very challenging, taking on Washington at home, and going to Florida State, TCU, Utah and the Air Force. If Mendenhall can rebuild his defense and get through that minefield of a schedule, he should be voted coach of the year. WAGERING NOTES: BYU is 4-12 ATS vs conference opponents in the past two seasons. They are 6-0 both S/U and ATS vs the Air Force in their past 6 meetings.

Troy Calhoun has done an excellent recruiting job at AIR FORCE and it is paying off. The offense returns all of the skilled players, but loses their TE and the entire starting line. The defense, which played very well last season, returns 8 of 11 starters. The schedule features a trip to Oklahoma, and home games against both Utah and BYU. Do not underestinate this team. Another bowl is very likely. WAGERING NOTES: Air Force is 4-0 S/U and ATS vs Army, but 0-7 S/U and 1-6 ATS vs Navy. They are 6-0 S/U and ATS vs New Mexico.

UNLV just missed out on a bowl game last season, being upset by Wyoming. This year, the Rebs return 8 starters on offense, but lose 5 WR's on their two deep roster. Still, QB Clayton and 4 out of 5 starters on the line return. The defense returns 9 starters, but will need much improvment, having given up 30 or more points 7 times last season. The schedule is tough, including home non-con game vs Wisconsin and Nevada, and away non-con games at Hawaii, Idaho and West Virginia. WAGERING NOTES: UNLV is 0-5 ATS vs in State rival Nevada.

WYOMING snuck up on a lot of people last seasn and won their bowl game. The return QB Carta-Samuels and 6 other starters from the offense. The defense loses 4 starters and takes a hit on the DL and LB depth wise. The schedule is much tougher this season, going to Texas and Toledo, and hosting Boise in non-con action. It will take another miracle season for the Cowboys to return to a bowl game. WAGERING NOTES: Wyoming went 9-3 ATS last year, after going 4-19 the two previous years, but the Cowboys were dogs of 7 or more points in 8 of their 12 games last year.

COLORADO STATE collapsed after a solid beginning, dropping their last 8 games, including all of their conference games. Only 4 players return from last year starting offense. The WR and line positions get hit hard. The defense returns 8 starters, but must show a big improvment over last year, when they allowed 29 or more points 7 times. HC Fairchild has his work cut out for him this season, if C-State is to be competitive. The schedule is not bad, if the Rams can get their act together. WAGERING NOTES: Colorado State is 0-5 ATS vs San Diego State. The Rams are 2-8 as away dogs in the past two seasons.

SAN DIEGO STATE made some progress last season, HC Hokes first year at State. This year, the offense returns QB Lindley and little else, losing 6 starters and a lot of depth. The defense also gets hit losing 5 starters. CB will be a major problem. The schedule looks a lot like last seasons, with a game at Mizzou replacing a trip to UCLA. State will have to learn how to win on the road (3-21 in the past 4 seasons). WAGERING NOTES: San Diego State is 1-6 ATS vs Utah and 1-8 ATS vs New Mexico.

HC Locksley debut with NEW MEXICO was very disappointing last season. The offense returned 6 starters, but only managed to score 20 or more points 3 times. The defense was changed, and it did not work. To add on to the misery, 5 starters leave the offense, and the defense loses 6 more, plus some depth. The schedule is no help, with games at Oregon, vs Texas Tech and vs UTEP on the non-con schedule. Much improvment is needed for this team. WAGERING NOTES: Los Lobos are 0-6 ATS vs Air Force, but continue to own San Diego State, going 8-1 ATS. The Lobos are not an automatic fade, winning one game S/U but covering 5 times last season.

Next Up: The West Coast Athletic Conference (WAC).

[Busterflywheel]

Nice write-up B.D... Keep em coming..