Air Force Falcons coached by "ICE", a 29 year veteran of the NDL who went 4-8 with NC State last year but has a career record of 239-167. Air Force traditionally runs the flexbone option offense so it will be fun to see how ICE is able to utilize his team's strengths. John Busha will be under center, while Dylan Carson and Aiden Calvert become the go-to backs. Air Force's Key Player DT Payton Zdroik leads a Falcons defense that lacks overall speed but is littered with high IQ and awareness.
Boise State Broncos coached by "iRoccafella" a 13 year veteran of the NDL who returns to Boise, Idaho after posting a 7-7 record. Roccafella has a 107-91 career record and will lean heavily on the run game and his all-world stud RB Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos season will live and die on the legs of Jeanty. End Ahmed Hassanein and LB Andrew Simpson anchor the defense. The Broncos are the early favorite to lift the conference crown at the end of the season.
Colorado State Rams coached "Korben_Dallas7". Korben struggled in his first year in the NDL posting a paltry 3-9 record with the Michigan State Spartans but comes to Fort Collins with Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi who is a rising star, and All-American receiver Tory Horton. The Rams will have to sling the rock to make a dent in the conference standings. Defensively Colorado State is led by safeties Jack Howell and Henry Blackburn and linebacker Chase Wilson.
Fresno State Bulldogs coached by "JustGiver31". Giver is a 26-year veteran of the NDL who is coming off a 3-9 campaign with the UAB Blazers. I personally played Giver last year as the coach of Tulsa and that 3-9 record does not do the veteran coach justice for how well he played with that team. Offensively, QB Mikey Keene will look to lead the Bulldogs but Fresno State will lean heavily on their defensive line with Korey Foreman looking to disrupt opponents in Season 30, the same way he did in Season 29.
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors coached by the enigmatic "jeffdaddy12". The phrase "Chee pono", or Hell Yeah! has become a rallying cry on the island and a bit of a meme in the NDL for the returning coach of the Rainbow Warriors. Jeff, a longtime legend in the NDL pantheon, returns to Hawai'i after posting a 4-8 record last year. But there have been heavy talks in the NDL that Jeff has revamped the offense and is looking to compete this year in the Mountain West. A win over the highly touted "thatdude" in the Beefy Cup has shown that Jeff is looking to make waves in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Quarterback Brayden Schager is among the Mountain West's top signal-callers, and receivers Pofele Ashlock and Steven McBride look to run up the score.
Nevada Wolf Pack coached by "UncleLbo34". Unc had a rough start in his first season of the NDL, posting a 1-11 record with Minnesota. However, he looks to rebound in Reno with a Nevada team that may not be so willing to cooperate. Nevada may be the weakest team overall in the Mountain West, but the linebacker unit is solid with Drue Watts and Tongiaki Mateialona.
New Mexico Lobos coached by "sammy33". Another longtime coach of the NDL, in his 21st season with a 203-116 career record, Sammy is my dark horse pick to finish higher than expected. He posted a respectable 7-4 record at Western Michigan and was competitive throughout the season. Sammy and the Lobo's season will rest squarely on the arm of Sophomore quarterback Devon Dampier. The athletic signal caller will determine whether my darkhorse pick is a stud or a glue factory candidate.
San Diego State Aztecs coached by "BigZZ916". A 14-season vet with a 114-91 career record, BigZZ looks to get on the right track after being fired by the Texas Longhorns after a 6-7 record last year. San Diego might be just the place to recuperate and get the ship sailing in the right direction. Deciding on a QB will be the first decision with True freshman Danny O’Neil and Florida State transfer AJ Duffy the frontrunners. The Aztecs have speed in certain key areas but there are doubts on the defensive side of the ball.
San José State Spartans coached by "Vic". Victorino or Vic for short, had a rough start to his NDL career as the interim coach of Mississippi State Bulldogs going 1-5. However, I have high hopes for this coach based on the things I have seen. Converted quarterback Nick Nash and fellow receiver Justin Lockhart are among the conference's top targets on the outside in Season 30 and Grambling transfer Floyd Chalk IV should team with Jakob Galloway to form a solid one-two punch in the backfield. The linebacker unit should be a strength with Jordan Pollard.
UNLV Rebels coached by "Black Rain". Black Rain returns to Vegas for his 16th NDL season after posting a 5-7 record last year. (127-89 career record). While the Rebels starting QB Matthew Sluka should be removed from the roster relatively soon due to real-life NIL issues, the Rebels will turn to fellow transfer Hajj-Malik Williams. Receiver Ricky White III is one of the best players in the conference and should be able to slice open Mountain West defenses. Safety Jalen Catalon, End Jalen Dixon, and linebacker Jackson Woodard are some of the standouts on the defensive side of the ball.
Utah State Aggies coached by "Wave214". In his 6th NDL season with a 16-52 career record. Wave heads to Logan after a miserable 1-11 year in Madison with the Wisconsin Badgers. The Aggies have some talent on offense with star WR Jaylen Royals and versatile RB Rahsul Faison. But the defensive side of the ball is a big concern. The secondary should be a strength though with safety Ike Larsen and defensive backs Avante Dickerson and Jaiden Francois. It may me another long year for Wave in the NDL.
Wyoming Cowboys coached by "xLiQx". LiQ has been my conference commish for 2 seasons running and is a stalwart in the NDL scene. Despite having only 5 seasons under his belt, he has posted a respectable 54-31 record. It was universally known that LiQ wanted his Wazzu Cougars but they were snaked, pun intended, from him early in the draft. LiQ will be going to scenic Wyoming to try and lead a Wyoming team that has some solid pieces on both sides of the ball. Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa, defensive back Wyett Ekeler, and lineman Jordan Bertagnole should form the foundation of a defense that should lead the way for this team. Running back Harrison Waylee is the offenses top player and we all know LiQ will run his star RBs often.
Conference Prediction (1-12)
1. Boise State Broncos
The most complete team with a star running back in Ashton Jeanty and solid defense. The favorite to win the Mountain West.
2. New Mexico Lobos
A dark horse pick with an experienced coach and a rising quarterback in Devon Dampier. Expect the Lobos to make a big leap this season.
3. Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors
With a potent offense and newfound confidence under jeffdaddy12, the Rainbow Warriors could challenge the top teams in the conference.
4. Wyoming Cowboys
LiQ’s experience combined with a strong defense makes Wyoming a sleeper in the race for the top spots.
5. San Diego State Aztecs
If BigZZ916 finds a steady QB, San Diego State could be a contender. A balanced team with upside.
6. Colorado State Rams
With Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Tory Horton, the Rams can light up scoreboards. Their defense will determine if they can break into the top tier.
7. Fresno State Bulldogs
Strong defensive front but question marks on offense keep them mid-table. Korey Foreman will make life difficult for opponents.
8. UNLV Rebels
A dangerous offense led by Ricky White III could cause problems for top teams. Consistency and depth will be the key factors in their success.
9. San José State Spartans
An explosive offense could lead to some upsets, but depth on defense will limit their ceiling this season.
10. Air Force Falcons
ICE’s experience will keep the Falcons competitive, but limitations on defense and lack of speed may hold them back.
11. Utah State Aggies
Some offensive talent but too many holes on defense. Expect another rebuilding year for Wave214.
12. Nevada Wolf Pack
Defensive talent at linebacker is promising, but overall lack of playmakers makes this a tough year for UncleLbo34’s squad.
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