July 18, 2005

CORONADO, Calif. - Utah was selected to win the 2005 Mountain West Conference title in a poll of MWC media members. This marks the second straight season the Utes have been selected to win the league crown.

2005 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll Rk. Team (first place votes) Points 1. Utah (18) 246 2. New Mexico (6) 215 3. Wyoming (5) 212 4. BYU (1) 164 5. Colorado State 153 6. TCU 145 7. Air Force 96 8. San Diego State 87 9. UNLV 32

Utah will have to replace quarterback Alex Smith, the Conference Offensive Player of the Year and No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but with 11 starters returning from last season's 12-0 squad that captured its second consecutive MWC title, the Utes look poised to defend their title. Utah received 18 first place votes and a total of 246 points.

New Mexico was chosen second with 215 points and six first place votes. The Lobos finished the 2004 season with a 7-5 record and their third straight bowl game appearance. New Mexico looks to extend its bowl streak with the experience of 17 starters returning in 2005.

Wyoming was picked third after posting a 7-5 slate last season, marking its highest ranking in the preseason poll since the inception of the MWC. The Cowboys totaled 212 points and five first place votes.

BYU was the fourth team to receive a first place vote and finished fourth in the poll with 164 points. Colorado State was chosen fifth with 153 points, followed by TCU, who recently joined the MWC after being a member of Conference USA. The Horned Frogs collected 145 total points. Air Force was picked seventh with 96 points, followed by San Diego State (87) eighth and UNLV ninth (32).

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