Mountain Division
Utah State captured the conference championship last season, and the Aggies also made the biggest splash in the offseason by attracting Levi Williams from conference rivals, Wyoming. Considered to be a four-star transfer by 247 Sports, Williams started 12 games under center for the Cowboys and is a threat to move the ball with both his arm and his legs.
Wyoming will be forced to completely reload on offense, with Williams and No. 2 QB Sean Chambers both leaving Laramie. The Cowboys also lost leading leading receiver Isaiah Neyor, who had 580 more yards than any other receiver last season, and 1,000-yard rusher Xazavian Valladay.
Air Force tied Utah State in the Mountain West standings last season, but the Aggies got the nod thanks to a 49-45 win over the Falcons in last year’s conference opener. All three of the Falcons’ losses last season came by one score, including an overtime loss to Army.
West Division
San Diego State defied the betting market on a weekly basis last season. The Aztecs continually got out-gained, but found ways to win close games. Their luck ran out in the conference championship game when Utah State blitzed them en route to a 36-point win on the Aztecs’ home turf. Former Virginia Tech QB Braxton Brumeister has been brought in to take the reins on San Diego State’s offense.
Fresno State was the only team to beat San Diego State during the regular season in 2021, and the Bulldogs have attracted the conference’s best transfer class. Fresno State has brought in a number of Pac-12 transfers to bolster its defense, including linebackers Raymond Scott from USC and Velltray Jefferson from Utah.