2012 Mountain West Media Days: Craig Thompson Says Boise State Return Is Possible

Speaking at the conference's media day, commissioner Craig Thompson told reporters that the Mountain West would "still entertain" the possibility of bringing Boise State back into the fold if the school's foray into the Big East Conference doesn't work out, as Chris Murray of the Reno Gazette-Journal reports.

Thompson said MWC would "still entertain" thought of Boise State returning if Big East doesn't work. Relationship not severed.

— Chris Murray (@MurrayRGJ) July 25, 2012

This summer, Boise State officially announced that it would be joining the Big East as a football-only member after years of being part of the Mountain West. There was speculation that the school might try to break that commitment in order to participate in a more geographically logical conference, but it's still part of the Big East going forward.

SB Nation Denver will have continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. VisitMountain West Connection for more on the conference.

2012 Mountain West Media Days: Craig Thompson Says Mountain West Will Stay At 10 Teams

Conference expansion has altered the landscape of college football— the Mountain West Conference included— but at the conference's media day on Wednesday, commissioner Craig Thompson told the press that he expects the Mountain West to remain a 10-team conference for at least the near future.

Thompson: #MW Board of Directors has determined it will stay at 10 football-playing institutions. #mwfb

— Mountain West (@TheMWC) July 25, 2012

Thompson also said that he has "strong commitment[s]" from the 10 institutions that will compete in football in 2013. Those 10 teams are: Air Force Falcons, Colorado State Rams, Fresno State Bulldogs, Hawaii Warriors, Nevada Wolfpack, New Mexico Lobos, San Jose State Spartans, UNLV Rebels, Utah State Aggies and Wyoming Cowboys.

The Mountain West's flagship school— the Boise State Broncos— will follow in the footsteps of the TCU Horned Frogs by defecting to a major conference in 2013.

SB Nation Denver will have continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. Visit Mountain West Connection for more on the conference.

2012 Mountain West Media Day: Boise State's Chris Petersen Says Team Has 'A Chip On Our Shoulder'

The Boise State Broncos have turned into America's favorite underdog. Boise State has turned into a dynasty in the Mountain West, regularly running the table and factoring into the National Championship discussion at the end of every year. Quarterback Kellen Moore is gone, but coach Chris Petersen still has a very solid team. The Broncos are ranked No. 22 in the SB Nation poll and are picked to win the conference.

Still, Petersen spent media day on Tuesday talking about how his team needs to win to move up the polls and get more respect. Said Petersen:

@BroncoSportsFB coach Chris Petersen: "Preseason polls are given, not earned. We have a chip on our shoulder about preseason polls."

— Mick McGrane (@MWCMick) July 25, 2012

Speaking of respect, New Mexico coach Bob Davie sure gave the Broncos some:

@UNMLOBOS Bob Davie: "Following Boise State (at the podium) is like following Lou Holtz at Notre Dame. It's tough duty." #mwfb

— Mick McGrane (@MWCMick) July 25, 2012

SB Nation Denver willhave continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. Visit Mountain West Connection for more on the conference.

2012 Mountain West Media Day: New Colorado State Coach Jim McElwain Talks About Expectations

New Colorado State Rams football coach Jim McElwain knows he won't have to wait long to make a first impression. The Rams open their season against the rival Colorado Buffaloes on Sunday September 2 when the two teams meet at a neutral location. While Colorado State might be an underdog after a three-win season, the Buffaloes are pegged to finish last in the Pac-12.

Related: 2012 Mountain West Preseason Predictions: Boise State Picked To Win MWC Title By Media

Optimism is already high at Colorado State, and a few early victories will only add to that. McElwain spoke about his new job on Tuesday during media day for the Mountain West.

@CSUFootball's Jim McElwain: "You don't win on Saturday. You win because of what you do leading up to Saturday." #mwfb

— Mick McGrane (@MWCMick) July 24, 2012

@CSUFootball's Mcelwain: "From a numerical value, I want to win 'em all. And I don't see why we can't."

— Mick McGrane (@MWCMick) July 24, 2012

On why he took the CSU job: "Why not? This is a super place and this place has history. It's one of the best kept secrets in America."

— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) July 24, 2012

SB Nation Denver will have continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. Visit Mountain West Connection for more on the conference.

2012 Mountain West Media Day: Troy Calhoun, Air Force Face 'Significant Challenge'

During his press conference at the Mountain West Conference's football media day on Tuesday, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun acknowledged that he and his staff have a lot of work ahead of them. The Falcons, who were picked to finish sixth in the MWC by media members, return a total of five starters. They're also limited to just 23 preseason practices.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun: "Significant challenge" with five starters back on offense and defense. Fewest in MW. #wyosports #mwfb

— Robert Gagliardi (@rpgagliardi) July 24, 2012

Related: 2012 Mountain West Preseason Predictions: Boise State Picked To Win MWC Title By Media

Air Force's Troy Calhoun says team will only have 23 practices before first game because of class schedules. That's an addition hurdle.

— Chris Murray (@MurrayRGJ) July 24, 2012

SB Nation Denver will have continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. Visit Mountain West Connection for more on the conference.

2012 Mountain West Preseason Predictions: Boise State Picked To Win MWC Title By Media

On Tuesday, preseason predictions from media members were released during the ongoing 2012 Mountain West Media Day festivities, and the Boise State Broncos are the clear favorite to capture the MWC title. The Broncos have eight returning starters (five offensive, three defensive) from the team that finished in the top-10 in both polls last season, so the early favoritism is to be expected. Meanwhile, Air Force is projected to finish sixth in the conference standings and Colorado State clocks in at No. 8.

Here is a look at the predicted order of finish in the Mountain West Conference for 2012, via the MWC website:

SB Nation Denver will have continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. For more on Boise State Broncos football, visit Boise State blog One Bronco Nation Under God.

2012 Mountain West Preseason Team: Colorado State Places 4, Air Force 2

The 2012 Mountain West Preseason Team was announced on Tuesday at the start of media day. The Colorado St. Rams have four players named to the team: junior running back Chris Nwoke, junior offensive lineman Weston Richburg, junior linebacker Shaquil Barrett, and senior punter Pete Kontodiakos.

The Air Force Falcons had two players: senior linebacker Alex Means and senior kicker Parker Herrington. The Boise St. Broncos have five players, led by sophomore receiver Matt Miller and offensive lineman Joe Kellogg.

In 2011, Nwoke rushed for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns. Miller caught 62 passes for 679 yards and nine touchdowns.

Fresno St. Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr, brother of David Carr, former No. 1 NFL draft pick, is the preseason offensive player of the year. He threw for 3,544 yards and 26 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Here is the complete breakdown:

SB Nation Denver will have continued coverage of media day at the Mountain West. Visit Mountain West Connection for more on the conference.

Mountain West Media Day Will Showcase Coaches, Stars For Colorado State, Air Force And Boise State

Mountain West media day is on Tuesday.