TCU Picked to Win 2010 MWC Title
7/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 27, 2010
LAS VEGAS - TCU was predicted to capture its second consecutive Mountain West Conference title in 2010 in a poll of media members, announced Tuesday at MWC Football Media Day held at Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas. The Horned Frogs are the first unanimous selection in the 12-year history of the league.
TCU posted a perfect 8-0 record in conference play in 2009, en route to a 12-1 overall record and a final national ranking of sixth in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches' polls.
TCU returns seven starters from a defensive unit that led the nation in total defense for the second straight year, allowing 239.7 yards per game in 2009. Nine starters return on offense for the Horned Frogs, who ranked among the top five nationally in scoring and rushing offense a season ago. TCU is led by all-MWC performers Marcus Cannon (OL), Tank Carder (LB), Andy Dalton (QB), Wayne Daniels (DL), Ross Evans (PK), Cory Grant (DL), Jeremy Kerley (KR) and Jake Kirkpatrick (OL). The Horned Frogs garnered all 31 first-place votes and earned a total of 279 points.
Utah was chosen second with 242 points. The Utes earned a third-place finish (6-2) in Conference play in 2009 and ended the season with a 10-3 mark overall. Utah returns eight starters on offense and four on defense. The Utes extended their nation-leading bowl win streak to nine straight games with a 37-27 victory over California in the 2009 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
BYU was picked third with 207 points. The Cougars posted a second-place finish (7-1) in MWC play in 2009 and concluded the season with an 11-2 overall record. BYU, which finished ranked 12th in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches' polls, respectively, returns six starters from an offensive unit that ranked among the top 25 in scoring, pass and total offense last season. Six starters also return on defense for the Cougars.
Air Force was chosen fourth with 195 points, followed by Wyoming (5th - 147 points), San Diego State (6th - 128 points), Colorado State (7th - 96 points), UNLV (8th - 56 points) and New Mexico (9th - 45 points).
| 2010 Mountain West Conference Football Preseason Poll | ||
| Rk. | Team (first place votes) | Points |
| 1. | TCU (31) | 279 |
| 2. | Utah | 242 |
| 3. | BYU | 207 |
| 4. | Air Force | 195 |
| 5. | Wyoming | 147 |
| 6. | San Diego State | 128 |
| 7. | Colorado State | 96 |
| 8. | UNLV | 56 |
| 9. | New Mexico | 45 |
