2001 The Story of the Mountain West

Anytime you put together the military, the mormon faith, some Lobos, some Aztecs, Rebels, Cowboys, and Utes you are bound to generate interest.  Can someone please tell me what a Ute is?  Didn't think so. 

When the Mountain West seceded from the WAC a few years ago they hoped to bring with it that "anything can happen" feel that the old Western Athletic Conference did so well.  The Mountain West succeeded.  Not in being a strong conference, but anything can and has happened.  Colorado State has stayed afloat, but many others have shifted.

BYU struggled to 6-6 in LaVell Edwards swan song, UNLV went from winless 3 years ago to 8 wins and a bowl championship a year ago, while Wyoming went from perennial conference championship contender to just 1 win a year ago.  New Mexico opened 2000 with an 0-3 mark, reeled off 5 of 6 in the W column, then finished the year by dropping 3 in a row.  Utah ended a 7 year streak of winning seasons by dropping off a 4-7 mark in 2000.

So, if Colorado State is the steady hand, why are we picking UNLV to walk off with the title in 2001?  If Michael Vick was the rich man's quarterback, and Ronald Curry of North Carolina is the middle class quarterback, Jason Thomas is the poor man's quarterback.  If that sounds bad, it shouldn't.  Thomas doesn't have the speed or exact arm strength of Vick or Curry, but isn't far off in either.  Thomas will be unstoppable in the Mountains and UNLV will cruise.

So there's the story for the Mountain West in 2001.  Not by any means a top 5 conference and maybe not even the top power of the MAC.  However, Wyoming would win 6 games in the MAC.  In the Mountain West?  Maybe three.  Yes, the Mountain West is a bit of a step up, no directional coordinates.  Just some Cowboys, Rebels, Lobos, and Utes.  Whatever that is.