Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LAS VEGAS - TCU was selected to win the 2007 Mountain West Conference football title in a poll of MWC media members. The Horned Frogs posted a second-place finish in the MWC in 2006, compiling a 6-2 mark against league opponents en route to an 11-2 overall record and a Top 25 ranking in the final USA Today Coaches, Associated Press and Harris polls.
TCU returns six starters on offense, including second-team all-MWC selections Aaron Brown (TB) and Matty Lindner (OL). TCU also has nine starters back from a defense that ranked among the top three nationally in scoring, rushing and total defense a year ago. The Horned Frogs are led by 2006 first-team all-MWC honorees Tommy Blake (DL), Chase Ortiz (DL) and Jason Phillips (LB). TCU, which enters the 2007 season with the nation's fourth-longest win streak at eight games, received 18 first-place votes and a total of 202 points.
Defending Mountain West Conference champion BYU was chosen to finish second with 178 points and three first-place votes. The Cougars posted their second unblemished record (8-0) in Conference play in 2006, ending the season with an 11-2 mark overall and a Top 25 ranking in the final USA Today Coaches, Associated Press and Harris polls. BYU, which enters the season with the nation's second-longest win streak at 10 games, returns six starters from an offense that ranked among the top five nationally in scoring, passing and total yardage last season.
Utah was picked to finish third after posting an 8-5 slate (5-3 MWC) and winning its sixth consecutive bowl game last season. The Utes, who return nine starters on offense and five on defense, totaled 165 points and two first-place votes.
New Mexico was chosen fourth with 120 points, followed by Wyoming (5th - 110 points), Colorado State (6th - 107 points), Air Force (7th - 62 points), San Diego State (8th - 56 points) and UNLV (9th - 35 points).
2007 Mountain West Conference Preseason Poll Rk. Team (first place votes) Points 1. TCU (18) 202 2. BYU (3) 178 3. Utah (2) 165 4. New Mexico 120 5. Wyoming 110 6. Colorado State 107 7. Air Force 62 8. San Diego State 56 9. UNLV 35
