MWC unit previews: SECONDARIES

The Wimple's ranking of the MWC's secondaries, best to worst:

Air Force's corners are the conference's best returning tandem: Anthony Wright and Reggie Rembert were 1st- and 2nd-team all-MWC. Jon Davis joins returns as safety with them, and the only newcomer is Phil Ohili, who has two years' experience as a backup. Air Force and TCU had the best pass defenses in the MWC last season, holding opposing squads to 154 and 157 ypg, and 57.6% and 47.4% completions. AFA returns 75% of its starters secondary; TCU only 40%-- although new starting cornerback Jason Teague played lots and often in '09. AFA's and TCU's secondaries are the class of the conference in 2010.

See TCU's and the rest of the MWC's secondary ranking after the jump.

MWC unit previews: Special Teams

Preseason practices are just weeks away.  To get you there, the Wimple begins the MWC unit rankings, starting with special teams. 

[updated] UNLV spring report

Due to the wholesale change in coaching staff this offseason, ushering in new schemes, UNLV is probably more profitably studied not for what will be different in 2010, but what will be the same. Remember, outgoing head coach Mike Sanford was the offensive guru who learned the spread at the feet of Urban Meyer, but couldn't make it work in Las Vegas. Incoming coach Bobby Hauck is a defensive guy, who prefers to keep the ball (a) on the ground, (b) as long as possible, and (c) to take it away from the other team as often as possible. Flashy? Not really; but Hauck would rather line up the ws then wows, even though both have been lacking in Las Vegas for longer than the Wimple dares remember.

But first Hauck and his coaches (predominantly fellows who followed him from Montana) had to line up athletes for this year's freshman class. They worked the Nevada schools diligently, signing eleven Nevada players, including local star Taylor Spencer, and also four Texans, including Houston speedster Tim Cornett and D/FW quarterback Taylor Barnhill. Because no freshman stood out this spring, the first fall question will be: which of these freshmen may see playing time in 2010? TE recruits Jordan Sparkman and Anthony Vidal hope to see the field more than they might have under Sanford's spread; Hauck's new OC Rob Phenicie like to use tight ends to bolster his ground game. Which bodes well, as well, for incoming freshmen Vandrell Sullivan, Dionza Bradford, and Tim Cornett, each of whom ran the ball in high school. Of the three, only Sullivan is early enrolled (?). C. J. Cox still leads the depth chart after spring ball, ahead of Brandon Randle and Channing Trotter.

The second gnawing question in Las Vegas this fall will be: Can UNLV's new coaches develop defensive players? Sanford's crew's inability to do so resulted in their ouster. They bequeath to the new staff a senior-heavy defensive roster. If Kraig Paulson (the DC) can get the team to perform at even just a slightly better level, UNLV may be the MWC's surprise of 2010. Paulson likes LBs Starr Fuimaono, Ronnie Paolo, senior Calvin Randleman (right), DT Isaako Aaitui, and safety Alex De Giacomo. They'll be the core returners in 2010. Hauck says the team needs more athletes on defense, however. Multi-year starter DT Malo Tuamua may be done for his career, having torn his ACL at the end of spring. JUCO Transfer Nate Holloway may press Ramsey Feagai for first-team snaps, if he can get into better football shape by fall drills.

Finally, the Rebels are trying to master a different style of ball; the tight ends and runningbacks love it-- they get to tote the rock a lot more than they would have under Sanford's spread. That C.J. Cox tops the depthchart going into fall might trouble Rebel watchers, however. Trotter appeared to have more oomph last season than Cox, and sophemore Bradley Randle just hasn't performed to match the hype that attended his signing last year.

Senior Omar Clayton and Junior Mike Clausen seem to be adjusting well to the new schemes; they have (so far) maintained the top two spots on the depthchart at QB. Michael Johnson (right) has emerged opposite Phillip Payne as a go-to wideout.

UNLV wraps up disappointed; now what?

Bobby Hauck-- the new coach, that's what. The Rebels suffered long with Mike Sanford, and after a promising haul of JUCO defensive backs failed to produce the necessary uptick in defensive stoutness, they cut him off. Offensive coordinator Todd Berry left for the head spot at Louisiana-Monroe.

Sanford's Rebels did manage to stay out of the conference's basement for the second consecutive year, beating New Mexico, Colorado State, and San Diego State. UNLV also finally topped Hawaii in a nail-biter, but lost to Oregon State in another nailbiter. But the defining game for the '09 Rebs, if it can be called that, came with then 0-3 Nevada, which racked up 772 yards total, and 42 points in the second half, bludgeoning UNLV 63-28 by the final whistle. The Rebels didn't come out of shock until visiting soft New Mexico, beating the hapless Lobos to avoid last place in the conference. After its annual spanking by TCU, the Rebels beat another MWC team (CSU), flirted briefly with bowl eligibility before Air Force laid wood on them in Colorado Springs, and the university fired Sanford, who coached the finale-- a win-- against SDSU.

Offensively, the Rebels regressed slightly, scoring about a point less per game in '09 than they did in '08. Clayton was less efficient at QB, and Wolfe less productive at WR. More importantly, the team got no boost from its running game. Again. (2008: 121 ypg; 2009: 126) Hyped runningback Bradley Randle could not meet the (admittedly heavy) expectations that greeted his enrollment at UNLV, and neither Channing Trotter and C.J. Cox could pick up the slack. These players labored behind an line that, despite experience, just couldn't open holes for the ground game.

They all got little help from the defense, which was bad in '08 (110th rushing D, 111th passing), and even worse in '09 (113th, 108th). The heralded trio of JUCO defensive backs: Alex DeGiacomo, Warren Zeigler, and Kenny Brown yielded only one starter by season's end (DeGiacomo).

By mid 2009, it was clear to even his biggest fans (the Wimple admits to being one of them) that Sanford's staff could not develop talent. So now UNLV turns the reins over to Bobby Hauck, who'll take a turn pursuing that evanescent mirage: a program capable of turning Sin City's purported appeal with recruits into wins on the field. He doesn't take the helm of an empty cupboard, although he will have to tackle 2010 recruiting almost from scratch: only three players have maintained commitments to UNLV so far. (SDSU has poached several of the others.) [update: by the last week of recruiting before signing day, Houck and his staff have amassed 20 commits, headlined by RB Dionza Bradford and WR Kurt Davis.]

UNLV started only one senior on its O-line and two on its D-line, including all-conference tackle Martin Teveseu. Turning the returners into winners in the trenches would make UNLV a bowling team overnight, because its skill players are plentiful. Channing Trotter proved a capable back, given a push in front. Cox and Randle are not untalented backups. QBs Omar Clayton and Mike Clausen still make the conference's most dangerous tandem. LBs Starr Fuimaono is an NFL talent who'll be the senior leader of the defense. In short, it's with UNLV's returners that hope lies for a revival in Las Vegas, if the new coaches can develop them beyond what the former coaches could do.

TCU 41, UNLV 0

On the day TCU's offense racked up its highest totals in a couple years (578 yards-- the most since the beatdown of SDSU in '06), the defense again out-shone it. These guys smothered UNLV, holding them to 160 yards (40 of those came on a QB sneak-- the longest running play TCU has allowed all season). Without that long play, the Frogs allowed the Rebels only 2.7 ypc. The pass defense was even better: 1.8 ypa, for only 42 yards.

D.J.Yendrey, a true freshman, started in Cory Grant's place on the d-line. Yendrey is only the second true freshman ever to start at DT for Gary Patterson; he played next to the other ever to do so, Kelly Griffin, who started all 13 games in 2007.

Dalton and the boys on offense were efficient, but slow starting. After the obligatory first quarter fumble, they ran for over 8 ypc. and a touchdown, and hauled in 4 TD passes-- including one from Marcus Jackson to Billy Pizor; it was Pizor's first catch as a Horned Frog.

The effort was good enough to boost the Frogs to #4 in the coaches' poll, and to hold down the 6th spot in the BCS ranking. TCU remains the highest non-cartel team in the poll, by a slightly larger margin than last week (which is to say, now the Frogs have a dull-razor sharp lead over Boise, instead of a sharp-razor-sharp lead!).

Ahead comes the next conference roady; the parallels with the fateful 2000 trip to San Jose State are legion and menacing. Here's to ousting those demons.

highlights:

Gameday preview: UNLV

The UNLV Rebels come to town trying to do something they were supposed to do frequently this year, and haven't: win multiple games in a row. This was the season the defense caught up with the offense, that Sanford would look like the slow-bake genius for hauling in a class of JUCO safeties and corners, that the d-line would finally reach its run-stopping potential.

Through the tough loss to Oregon State, the win over Hawaii, and the embarrassing loss at Wyoming, that train still looked like it was on the tracks, though wobbly at times. Then Nevada came to town, and blew the holy bejeebers out of the Rebels, who didn't recover until a trip to the very forgiving Lobos last week. Now this beleaguered squad comes to Fort Worth, where they have never won (and averaged 27-point losses!).

Have the Rebs any bright spots to focus on, during the coming beat down? Yes. D-end/ linebacker Jason Beauchamp and linebacker Starr Fuimaono are playing closer to 100% than they have in more than a month. Veterans right tackle Evan Marchal and left tackle Matt Murphy are better prepped to battle standout Frog DEs Jerry Hughes and Wayne Daniels than they were last year. And QB Omar Clayton is coming off one of his best performances, healthy and ready to search the Frog D for weaknesses. WR Ryan Wolfe (pictured) is at his- and the MWC's- best. Truth is, however, everybody has their best week against New Mexico, and worst against TCU. So, it remains to be seen if UNLV can find any more traction against the fearsome purple attack than the other teams that have failed to do so.

Look for a spirited first half, but a widening blowout at the hands of TCU's second and third teams. TCU 49, UNLV 17.

One piece shy: Colorado State, UNLV

Two teams in the MWC are only one piece shy of fielding very competitive units. Colorado State needs a consistently adequate quarterback, and UNLV needs a consistently adequate runningback. Both teams hoped newcomers would step in and fill those roles during the offseason; neither are quite sure they've found their men. Bowl eligibility likely turns on whether or not each team completes its respective personnel puzzles. Because they are both trying to fill one last position, the Wimple considers these teams to be just one piece shy of a clear path to the 2009 post-season.

Pop quiz: who had the second-best passing attack in the conference last season? Surprise: it was Colorado State, averaging over 242 yards per game in the air. While all of that team's receivers return, the Rams are fishing more and more desperately for a quarterback to sling the pigskin at the returners. Senior Grant Stucker and JUCO transfer Jon Eastman have the competition to themselves, mainly, because Klay Kubiak's recovery from shoulder surgery is progressing slower than hoped. Coach Fairchild isn't mincing words about his competitors under center. "I think our quarterbacks are letting our offensive development down," said the coach early in fall drills.

The prognosis hasn't improved. "I didn't have [consistency] in the spring, and I haven't gotten it yet here. I want somebody to be able to go through the whole practice without beating us, without just some sort of major error. We don't have to have great throws or any big-time plays. Just consistently doing what they're supposed to do. We're not there yet." After a later scrimmage, Fairchild said, "it was the absolute worst practice in my 30 years of coaching that I've seen at quarterback."

QB coach Daren Wilkinson hinted that Coach F's ire might be more motivational than accurate, but Rams fans probably ought to pare their expectations of improving on last season's passing numbers slightly downward. This time last year Billy Farris was pulling away with the starting job. That hasn't happened this year.

Elsewhere, the picture rosens significantly. The Rams return all five starting offensive linemen, and may not experience any dropoff at linebacker, contrary to expectations this spring. Mychal Sisson, pictured, Michael Kawulok, and Alex Williams will be a strength for the defense. The secondary will improve from it's dismal '08 performance, especially if the Rams gets full seasons out of safties Elijah-Blu Smith and healthy Klint Kubiak, who join two returning CBs.

Perhaps equally important with the development of a consistent quarterback is the Rams' search for an adequately productive backfield to replace Gartrell Johnson. John Mosure and Leonard Mason have filled that role enough to escape Coach Fairchild's wrath-- which is a notable change since the spring.

This spring, the Wimple disagreed with Phil Steele's rosy preview of this season's Rams. If CSU can't find a reliable QB to feed those great receivers the ball, you'll find CSU at home this Christmas, having come up just shy of a bowl berth in '09.

The missing piece in Las Vegas is a tad smaller than the one missing in Fort Collins. UNLV not only has its quarterback, but has perhaps the MWC's best tandem under center, with returning starter Omar Clayton, a junior, and sophomore Mike Clausen, who has some starting experience, and who pushed Clayton for the starting role in the spring. The Rebels' receivers, O-line, and defense are all improved over '08. The reason UNLV isn't a "two pieces shy" team is because the upgrade to its secondary appears to have succeeded in spades. JUCO transfers safety Alex De Giacomo, pictured, and corners Mike Grant and Warren Ziegler all have risen to the first team, and impressed.

The missing piece is in the backfield. UNLV had high hopes that true freshman Bradley Randle would enroll and sweep the defense off its feet and into the post-season for the first time in... in forever. But that isn't exactly how it's happened, so far. Randle enrolled, and had a good fall. But Randle has played like a true freshman, and the Rebel defense has played like a squad with its hair on fire. Returner C. J. Cox injured his hamstring, and Channing Trotter scampered up the depth chart, perhaps winning himself a tentative starting role come September 5. Don't look for closure in the battle for the Rebel backfield anytime soon.

So the jury's still out; will a lack of a backfield keep UNLV out of the post season? Or is the Rebel run defense finally throwing its (considerable) weight around, stifling what will be a productive running game? The latter may well be the case. UNLV's d-line is improving: monstrous d-lineman Isaako Aaitui has moved inside to his more natural role as a run-stuffing tackle, and all-conference lineman Malo Tuamua has moved outside. Jason Beauchamp plays as much end as linebacker. The Rebels' linebacking corps doesn't miss Beauchamp much, partly because Starr Fuimaono is back and healthy.

In sum, the MWC is fielding a much more complete team in Las Vegas. Coach Sanford's assessment captures the idea: "A year ago, I think the offense was definitely ahead. . . I think there's a lot more competition between offense and defense this year. . . The defense has improved, and I don't think our offense has taken a step back." If the Rebels can find the back to take them a step forward, they'll make Las Vegas a difficult place to win in, for the first time in MWC history.

Rating the MWC: the bowlers

Continuing our survey of the Mountain West, today's look is at the Bowlers.

Air Force's inclusion in this list is heavily contingent on the Asher Clark's health. The sophemore tailback was a key cog in last year's Coach-of-the-Year performance from Troy Calhoun's outrageously young Falcons. Clark broke his leg in spring drills, while filling in for eligibility-challenged Tim Jefferson (another key cog) at QB. The Falcons return starters primarily to their offensive line and secondary, but must replace the strong defensive line.

At home, AFA opens with cupcake Nicholls State, and also face SDSU, TCU, Wyoming, Army, and UNLV. How the Falcons hold up against the Horned Frogs and Rebels may define the tenor of the season for the Academy. AFA travels to Minnesota, New Mexico, Navy, Utah, Colorado State, and BYU-- all tough matches. If the whole crew returns (which is a large returning contingent, unlike last year), look for AFA to make waves out of conference, finally beating Navy, and maybe taking down Minnesota in Minneapolis as well. Air Force will be a dangerous roadgame for TCU and Utah as well. Running on all cylinders, the Falcons may reach 8 wins again.

New Mexico lost its coach in the strangest off-season move of the year: Rocky Long fled, at least publically on his own initiative, and wound up coaching the defense in San Diego (see below). The Lobos responded with the best coaching hire of the year, handing the reins to Mike Locksley, Illinois's OC. The new guy capped a complete turnover in staff, and inherited a talented team in Albuquerque that is used to winning. The '08 Lobos missed their first post-season as players last year. Their new offensive and defensive schemes are not the wholesale changes we'll see in Wyoming; but it's much faster-paced stuff, too, and the players have shown growing and transition pains, especially at O-line.

Donovan Porterie (pictured) hopes to quell the very competitive battle brewing at QB, and hope Terrence Brown will fill Rodney Ferguson's ample shoes at tailback. Their once-young O-line will be as much of a strength in '09 as they want to be; inexperience won't be an issue anymore.

New Mexico starts on the road at Texas A&M, whom the Lobos might just beat-- signaling good things for the conference and the Cherry-clad Albuquerqueans. (say that three times fast...) New Mexico also travels to Texas Tech, Wyoming, SDSU, Utah, and TCU. Taking three out of those five would be a new high for the Lobos. At home, UNM faces Tulsa, AFA, New Mexico State, UNLV, BYU, and CSU. New Mexico expects .500 at home, but may best that mark if Tulsa can't reload at QB like they have in the past, or if AFA or BYU slip up. New Mexico's defense may have a heyday against the new quarterbacks they'll face: A&M, Tech, Tulsa, NMState, Utah, and CSU are all breaking in new starters under center. If the Lobos have their act together from the get-go, they may carry the MWC's banner out of conference, and have a say in who takes the big trophy in it.

UNLV is finally ready to cap its rise from utter obscurity with a return to the post season. Mike Sanford's crew now almost numbers 85 on scholarship; they return one of the conference's best and toughest QBs (Omar Clayton is the guy who played through a broken chin in last year's overtime upset at Arizona State), a bevy of terrific wideouts, and good lines. The Rebels gambled on JUCO transfers to help plug their porous secondary, and they appear to have won the bet with Warren Ziegler, and also returners Travis Dixon, Terrence Lee, and Chris Jones. The only gaping hole is at runningback-- when Frank "the Tank" Summers went down against San Diego State last season, the cost was a bowl invitation. The committee of runners who'll try and fill Summers' shoes will work behind a good line and in tandem with a good passing game; if they can't succeed, it'll be their own fault.

UNLV starts the season with three home games: Sacramento State, Oregon State, and Hawaii. Considering Hawaii's drop in performance when away from the enchanted isles, look for the Rebs to take 2 of these 3. Upsetting Oregon State might match the improbability of UNLV's toppling Arizona State last season. The Rebels also face BYU, Utah, CSU, and SDSU at home. Winning three of those four would mean the Rebels have improved more than expected. UNLV travels to Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico, TCU, and Air Force. Only Wyoming is a probable win for Rebs-- their first conference road win in years. Air Force, if at all weakened by the long season, may prove a second road win.

Bowl eligibity is one upset away for the Rebs this season. The moral of the story: don't fire a coach whose ship is pointed in the right direction just because it ain't sailing as fast as you'd like. (ah hem, SDSU!)

UNLV - post spring

UNLV appears finally to have enough depth and talent across the field to contend in every game this season. Its most pressing need is replacing Frank "The Tank" Summers; when Summers went down at San Diego in the last game of 2008, the Rebels' hopes for a bowl bid went with him. In 2009, UNLV returns 28 players who have started at least one game-- the most in the MWC. Look for this unusual experience and depth in Las Vegas, especially in the trenches, to push UNLV into the post-season.

Sophomore Phillip Payne (pictured) has gained some muscle, but not lost a step; Ryan Wolfe must now lead the Rebels' receiving corps, now that Casey Flair has graduated; Warren Ziegler (pictured), a JUCO-transfer at safety, appears to be meeting the high expectations that accompanied his early enrollment at UNLV; Ziegler and returning DB Will Chandler appear to have an edge on a starting spot going into fall; cornerback Quinton Pointer hopes to play at 100% next year; massive Samoan DE Issako Aaitui's football smarts have caught up with his size; his fellow lineman DT Malo Taumua is also impressing, wearing the day's best black jersey four times. LB looks to be a strong position for UNLV again; youth and inexperience are no longer problems on the Rebel o-line; former QBs Travis Dixon and Chris Jones are doing well as safeties. UNLV returns four starters to the O-line, and the newbie, RsFr Sean Tesoro, has drawn high praise. Coach Sanford says the 1st team defense and offensive line have improved, but the 2s need to improve, and the Rebs are still looking for a go-to runningback and punter.

In the Rebs' spring game, Mike Clausen outshone Omar Clayton, but hasn't ousted Clayton from the starting spot. JUCO transfers Kenny Brown and Warren Ziegler corralled Phillip Payne; senior Chris Brogdon and sophomore C.J. Cox lead at tailback, awaiting incoming freshman Bradley Randle. Sanford called this the Rebs' best spring ever, and listed likely battles in fall drills.

TCU 44, UNLV 14

TCU pounded UNLV in Las Vegas Saturday, adding both a fifth win to its own current streak, and a fifth loss to the Rebels' current streak. Andy Dalton threw touchdowns to three different Horned Frogs-- Justin Watts, Jimmy Young, and Evan Frosch. Luke Shivers, Aaron Brown, and Jai Caveness added scores on the ground. Jerry Hughes sacked the Rebel QB twice; Stephen Hodge once.

Joe Turner sat out much of the game due to a possible concussion-- and a likely critical absence for the Frogs' next game. All eyes turn to the Mountain West's premier matchup on Thursday in Salt Lake City, when the Frogs face the undefeated Utes. Between them, TCU and Utah bring 18 wins and one loss to the gridiron this season. Utah escaped Albuquerque with a 13-10 win over the Lobos.

The only teams ranked higher than TCU that lost this weekend were #1 Texas and #6 Georgia. The Mountain West's three ranked teams all won; Air Force also won, and will add to its vote tally. The Falcons are 6-2.

The eight touchdowns in Las Vegas:

Pre-game press: USA Today on MWC leaders' upset avoidance; LVSun preview; focus on Clayton; LVRJ Preview; FWST: Frogs getting long drives this year; Frogs get ready for UNLV; ESPN-StatsLLC preview; Sports Network; Rebel fans think TCU's headed for an upset; focus on Henson and Phillips.
Post-game press: LVSun blog and recap; LV R-J recap; analysis, notes; DMN lead; WFAA sportsblog; FWST Frogs good on third down; Mercedes Meyer's lead, notes;

MWC goes 4-0 against the Pac-10

It's a banner week for the Mountain West-- the conference's teams went 6-1 against division 1-A competition, including four wins over Pac-10 foes. BYU shut out UCLA 59-0; TCU beat Stanford 31-14; New Mexico upset Arizona 36-28; and UNLV shocked #15 Arizona State, in Tempe, 23-20 in double overtime, blocking the Sun Devils' attempt to tie the game with a field goal. (in that game, Rebels' QB Omar Clayton took a hit in the jaw so hard in the second quarter that they team x-rayed him to make sure it wasn't broken. It wasn't. Clayton returned to the game, and led UNLV to the win.)

BYU, TCU, and New Mexico each capitalized on multiple turnovers by their BCS foes.

The Mountain West is 6-3 against BCS competition this year, and 10-3 against all D-1A teams.

Post-Spring MWC Football Round-up: Middl'uns

Two Mountain West teams seem poised to do what New Mexico and Air Force did last year-- come together like they haven't done in a while-- perhaps even a very long while. This season will be UNLV's and Wyoming's best chance in a long time to break even and perhaps go bowling. Wyoming brings back most of its offense, and with a new coordinator, high expectations.

• WYOMING-- Cowboy fans expect their new offensive coordinator to coax better things from their offense this year. He'll have the pieces to do just that: a veteran QB, backfield, and line. A full season effort in '08 will make the difference between playing in December or watching others play in December.
• UNLV-- This is a make or break year for Mike Sanford's crew. He's got more players on scholarship than he's ever had, and has returning depth all over the field. The Rebels have 7 home games this year, and have as good a chance as ever to be a MWC bowl team

TCU 34, UNLV 10

TCU beat UNLV in the first half Saturday in Fort Worth, scoring 28 points in 30 minutes, but only 6 after that. The third team played most of the fourth quarter.

Junior safety Stephen Hodge tallied 11 tackles; senior end Chase Ortiz had two sacks and took the MWC's defensive player of the week award.

The Frogs go to San Diego next week to try and secure a bowl berth- likely to the New Mexico Bowl, to face a team from the WAC.

Sorting the MWC: bottom feeders

MWC teams can be categorized into three groups heading into 2007: teams for whom 2nd place will feel like a let-down (TCU, BYU, Utah); teams for whom missing a bowl will feel like a letdown (Wyoming, New Mexico, and maybe Colorado State), and teams hoping to avoid last-place (Air Force, San Diego State, UNLV).

UNLV and SDSU have grovelled at the bottom of the league since its foundation. Second-year coach Tom Craft's Aztecs appear lively, and may surprise Arizona State or Cincinnati, and enter conference play with a .500 record. UNLV, on the other hand, seems likely to start conference play with only one win, against Utah State. Once conference play is underway, SDSU appears more likely to cull a few wins and may flirt with bowl eligibility.

Air Force and Colorado State both ended last season in a tailspin. Runningback Kyle Bell returns to the Rams, however, making it more likely that Colorado State will produce an upswing than Air Force, which has the league's only new coach, and is installing a new offense.

The Wimple predicts SDSU, Air Force, and UNLV will fill out the bottom three in 2007.