TCU favored in MWC

DENVER - TCU's Gary Patterson plopped into his seat at Mountain West Conference media day and professed how good it felt to still have a job in an age where football coaches sweat over security as much as they do the scoreboard.

As if he has anything to worry about.

The Horned Frogs are a bona fide power, finishing sixth in The Associated Press poll last season after a 12-1 season that was marred only by a loss to Boise State, a soon-to-be conference foe, in the Fiesta Bowl.

Returning another stacked team led by senior quarterback Andy Dalton, TCU will again have its sights set on not just the MWC crown but a national title.

First, though, the Frogs have to navigate a nonconference schedule that includes Oregon State in the opener and a conference docket that isn't exactly a cakewalk, especially with a visit to Utah on Nov. 6.

But they're clearly the favorite to win a second straight MWC crown.

Utah remains a contender, BYU returns a solid nucleus after an 11-2 season and Air Force could be a factor as the Falcons return their entire backfield.

After this season, TCU will be joined by its BCS busting brethren Boise State in the Mountain West. The Broncos are bolting from the Western Athletic Conference.

They'll essentially take the place of Utah as the Utes split for the conference that will be called the Pac-12.

TCU - Key players: LB Tank Carder, QB Andy Dalton, DE Wayne Daniels, DB Tejay Johnson, WR Jeremy Kerley, OL Jake Kirkpatrick. Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense

Notes: Dalton is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks to step ever step under center at TCU, tying Sammy Baugh for most wins (29) in school history. He will lead the drive toward another shot at a national title.

Utah - Key players: RB Eddie Wide, OLs Caleb Schlauderaff and Zane Taylor, DB Brandon Burton. Returning starters: 8 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: The Utes will make one last stand in the conference before leaving for the Pac-12. Their 17-game home winning streak - second-longest in school history - will be put to the test as they host Pittsburgh, TCU and BYU.

BYU - Key players: OL Matt Reynolds, DBs Andrew Rich and Brian Logan, RB JJ Di Luigi. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Since 2006, BYU has a 43-9 record, one of the top marks in the nation. ... The Cougars will have to replace the tandem of QB Max Hall and RB Harvey Unga.

Air Force - Key players: FB Jared Tew, TB Asher Clark, QBs Connor Dietz and Tim Jefferson. Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: The Falcons are stacked on offense, returning their entire backfield. Tew led the team in rushing with 970 yards. ... Air Force has a formidable tandem at defensive back in Reggie Rembert and Anthony Wright. They had 10 interceptions between them last year.

Wyoming - Key players: DB Chris Prosinski, QB Austyn Carta-Samuels, RB Alvester Alexander. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Carta-Samuels threw for 1,953 yards last season, the third-best mark in league history for a freshman. ... The Cowboys went to their first bowl last season since 2004. The team beat Fresno State in two overtime, 35-28, in the New Mexico Bowl.

San Diego State - Key players: WRs Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson, QB Ryan Lindley. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Lindley has his two biggest targets back in Brown and Sampson. Brown had five 100-yard games last season before a thumb injury ended his season on Oct. 24 at Colorado State.

Colorado State - Key players: LB Mychal Sisson, RBs Leonard Mason and John Mosure. Returning starters: 4 offense, 10 defense.

Notes: The Rams possess a deep backfield with Mason, the team's top rusher, Mosure and Lou Greenwood all returning. ... Freshmen Pete Thomas and Nico Ranieri are contending for the quarterback job.

UNLV - Key players: WR Phillip Payne, RB Channing Trotter, QB Omar Clayton. Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Rebels coach Bobby Hauck takes over after spending the last seven seasons in charge of the University of Montana, a perennial power in the FCS. ... Payne will try to step in and fill the spot of Ryan Wolfe, who left as the conference's all-time leading receiver with 283 receptions.

New Mexico - Key players: DL Johnathan Rainey, LB Carmen Messina, RB Desmond Dennis. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Messina led the nation in tackles last season with 162. He also had three sacks.