FRESNO STATE

I may be a Nevada alumni but Fresno State should be a threat in the West division this season. They host conference favorites Nevada and Boise State at home. The offense runs through running back Ronnie Rivers and company. Quarterback Jake Haener should be better with a full offseason and more in sync with his offense. They averaged over 30 points per game in the past three seasons. What must happen is their defense getting up to speed. They allowed over 30 points in two seasons. Boise State/FIU transfer Tyson Maeva is expected to help improve that side. If that works out, they’re Mountain West title contenders for sure.

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico was a difficult pick, but so were the rest of the Mountain division teams not named Boise State and Wyoming. There’s a lot of mystery with them thanks to COVID and a two month season that still left me with full of unknowns about this division. COVID was so bad in New Mexico that they prohibited any sporting events taking place in that state for the rest of 2020. The team became nomads the entire two months of the season. They lost the first five games before winning the last two in Vegas against Wyoming and Fresno State. Those wins left a positive note for this program moving forward into 2021. The offense should be better after adding Kentucky transfer quarterback Terry Wilson. Their schedule sets up for a potential 4-win season in four years, but some defensive improvement would help to guarantee another win or an upset at least.

CAL

Cal recently became the spoil sports of the Pac-12. You never know what to expect from them until they play the Bears’ defense. If any team doesn’t have a strong offense to overcome that, they’re in for a long game. Ask Washington (lost last two meetings). Cal should have a strong defense again, but the defensive line needs to solidify itself to stay that way. The big issue is the offense, and yet they return nearly everyone, including quarterback Chase Garbers. He had some success but he’s also had some mishaps with his offense. It has to take him and the backfield to reach the ceiling and then some. Just enough improvement on that side of the ball could make Cal a scary contender in the Pac-12 North.

UCLA

I’ve watched and witnessed UCLA for the past three seasons. I see spurts of progress and improvement, but I’ve waited for them to put it all together. Last season could be enough to chance them as the Underrated Pac-12 team. They return 18-plus starters. They add Michigan transfer running back Zach Charbonnet to help Brittain Brown and Dorian Thompson-Robinson with the ground game. Speaking of D.T.R., he returns for his fourth season as starter and has progressed very well. However, this defense must come through. While their was slight improvements overall since coach Chip Kelly took over, they still allowed over 30 points per game and were prone to big plays consistently. This team can win six games and maybe more, but this defense play better to be more than just a team looking for bowl-eligibility.