The Mountain West Conference has really risen to prominence in the last couple of years with the terrific seasons put forth by Utah in 2008 and TCU last year. College football fans are starting to realize that this is a conference where high-quality football is being played. While the weaker teams in the conference are still far behind the curve because of their poor defenses, the top half of this league has really gotten its act together.

2010 Storylines for the MWC

Utah will be leaving the conference after this season, so they will be looking to end their run in the Mountain West with a regular season title. TCU returns many of the players from the team that went 12-0 in the regular season last year. BYU lost Max Hall and Harvey Unga, but Bronco Mendenhall expects his team to stay very competitive. Air Force has been nipping at the heels of the top three for the last two years, and they are itching to work their way to the top.

Wyoming was an interesting team in 2009 because they were last in the MWC in points per game, but managed to go 7-6 and finish the year with a big win over Fresno State. The Aztecs of San Diego State have had some pretty severe trouble stopping their opponent in recent years, but the offense appears to be quite solid. The bottom three of Colorado State, UNLV, and New Mexico are all well behind the rest of the pack. All three of these teams have serious defensive issues.

2010 Mountain West Schedule: Key Games

• Sept, 4- Oregon State at TCU- While this isn’t a MWC conference game, the conference as a whole should really be pulling for TCU in this one. I fully expect this to be one of the best out of conference games of the year. Jacquizz Rodgers and the Beavers will present a big challenge for TCU, but I think the Horned Frogs will pull it out.

• Sept. 11- BYU at Air Force- Air Force has lost all six of their games to TCU, BYU, and Utah in the last two years. This is the best chance they have had to beat one of the top teams. I think Air Force has a good shot at ending their losing streak here.

• Oct.16- Utah at Wyoming- The Cowboys surprised a whole lot of people with their winning season in 2009. Can they pull off a big win over one of the top teams in the conference? Expect Wyoming to have this game circled, but they will need some improved offense to win it.

• Nov. 6- TCU at Utah- The Utes will get TCU at home this year, and they may have about as good of a shot as anyone at beating them. I think TCU’s all-around ability on both sides of the ball will be too much for Utah.

• Nov. 27- BYU at Utah- This is a rivalry that deserves the attention of the country as a whole. These two teams simply don’t like each other one bit. It will be Utah’s final game in the MWC, so it could take on a little extra significance.

2010 Mountain West Conference Betting Odds

There are a number of ways to get involved in the Mountain West season by wagering through the recommended sportsbooks on the Doc’s Sports homepage. Here is a look at some of the possible ways to bet on the Mountain West in 2010.

The Odds from 5Dimes on each Mountain West Football Team to win the BCS:
TCU +2,300
Utah +15,000
BYU +17,500
Air Force +42,500
San Diego State +70,000
Wyoming +90,000
UNLV +130,000
Colorado State +150,000
New Mexico +600,000

TCU Odds from 5Dimes
TCU to finish in Top 5 of Final USA Today Poll +300
TCU to finish in Top 10 of Final USA Today Poll -110

Regular Season Win Odds from Sportsbook.com
TCU Regular Season Wins over 11 (+100) under 11 (-120)
BYU Regular Season Wins over 8 (-140) under 8 (+120)
UNLV Regular Season Wins over 4 (-150) under 4 (+130)

Mountain West Conference Football Predictions (order of finish)

• TCU- This team has nine starters returning on offense, and they are definitely the class of the MWC.
• Utah- The defense is a bit inexperienced, but history tells us they’ll end up being good. The schedule helps them.
• Air Force- This will be my surprise pick for this season. Air Force might actually throw the ball a little more effectively this year as well.
• BYU- The Cougars will be good, but they don’t have the team to replicate last year’s success.
• Wyoming- Austyn Carta-Samuels has a chance to be a good quarterback, and the Cowboys have things going the right direction.
• San Diego State- Brady Hoke has the offense rolling, but the defense will hold them back in 2010.
• UNLV- This team returns quite a bit of talent and might score more, but the defense is terrible.
• Colorado State- I expect them to win over New Mexico, but they won’t win many in 2010.
• New Mexico- This is a very bad team that could have trouble beating anyone this year.

Doc’s Sports went 7-1 for member’s NFL picks in the 2009 NFL Preseason and we are very excited about the 2010 slate of exhibition games. Our picks against the NFL line for the entire NFL Preseason are just $49. Also, our Early Bird Special for the NFL full season is just $695 and that will get you all the picks from the first kick in preseason to the Super Bowl (normal price will be $950). Check our home page daily for NFL handicapping articles and up-to-the-minute updated odds.