Mountain West Conference spring football assessments

AIR FORCE

The Falcons are known for fielding aggressive, quality offensive lines that have been crucial to their ability to run the option so well. Air Force's line loses all five starters, and the replacements have some work to do to get stronger.

"They've got to do more," coach Troy Calhoun said. "I love the way they work in the weight room. I like what they have in their eyes. In terms of leg strength, upper body and the body as a whole, they've got a lot of work there."

BRIGHAM YOUNG

Uncertainty over whether tailback Harvey Unga will return has dominated recent events at BYU, but the Cougars have other concerns, such as finding a successor to quarterback Max Hall. Four quarterbacks will compete for the spot, but BYU had only five or six healthy offensive linemen most of spring, so the Cougars weren't able to put together the team drills needed to assess the quarterbacks.

"How we are going to train four (in August) is going to be very difficult in a short amount of time," coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "But I'm very comfortable that we have the talent, the leadership and the poise and preparation to have a player to be our starter at that spot. I just don't know who it is yet."

COLORADO STATE

It appears the Rams will enter next season with a freshman starting quarterback, whether it's first-year Pete Thomas or redshirt Nico Ranieri.

"We're going to be young at quarterback, obviously, and we have a long way to go, but they have flashed at times," coach Steve Fairchild said. "There's a lot to be done, but those two guys are the front-runners. I anticipate next season one of those guys stepping up and taking the job."

NEW MEXICO

After finishing last in the conference in third-down conversions and seventh in third-down defense, the Lobos are trying to do something about those rankings.

"We put ourselves in a lot of third-down situations throughout our spring scrimmages where we really made it competitive," coach Mike Locksley said. "We brought a lot of emphasis and understanding that it's important that we've got to have complete focus on that third down to make sure that we're executing at a high level so we can sustain drives or get off the field."

SAN DIEGO STATE

The Aztecs didn't wait long after the season to get into spring drills, completing the session about five weeks ago.

"I think that allows us to have a good six weeks with the kids after spring ball with the various things they have to do strength-wise," said coach Brady Hoke, heading into his second season at SDSU. "I think we've improved in the weight room, but we need to keep improving."

TEXAS CHRISTIAN

Star defensive end Jerry Hughes is gone. The two-time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the NFL Draft.

"I don't know if you replace Jerry Hughes," coach Gary Patterson said. "It may be by committee, but they have to grow up."

UTAH

Las Vegan Eddie Wide rushed for 1,069 yards last season, but the Utes will get back Matt Asiata, who was the starter before a season-ending knee injury. Also in the mix is Sausan Shakerin, who showed promise as a freshman in 2009.

"We feel we have a very good stable of backs," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We'll give them all an opportunity, and it will be a three-horse race. Those three guys will get the bulk of the (repetitions). If they all produce and do great, they will all get carries. If somebody separates himself, the carries will be divvied accordingly."

WYOMING

The Cowboys have made a significant defensive change, switching from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3.

"It's basically what I wanted to do when I first came here, but we had the personnel to run the 3-4," second-year coach Dave Christensen said. "We recruited to fit our needs with that defense. We'll have more speed at the linebacker position. We won't have the same size as before, but we'll be a lot faster."