1. Nevada
On the collegiate level, and now even the professional level, dual-threat quarterbacks are a hot commodity and a lethal weapon. The Wolfpack runs a pistol offense consisting of plenty of read-options to use star quarterback Cody Fajardo to his full potential. The second half of the read-option, running back Stefphon Jefferson is returning as well. Him and Fajardo combined for 36 rushing touchdowns last season and are primed to improve on those stellar stats.
2. Fresno State
While they are losing Robbie Rouse at running back, Derek Carr will be back under center for the 2013 campaign. Last season, Carr was restricted a bit due to a lingering sports hernia, but he will be healthy for the upcoming season and could improve his already impressive ability. Not only will Carr be back and healthier than ever, but young wide receiver phenom Davante Adams will be entering his sophomore year as a top ten wide receiver in the nation. The two will lead the Bulldogs to the top of the conference’s passing leaderboards for the second year in a row.
3. San Jose State
David Fales is the best quarterback in the Mountain West going into the upcoming season. Fales’ entire crew of wide receivers is returning to his disposal, including notable NFL Draft prospect Noel Grigsby. San Jose State’s downfall is the lack of a solidified running game, but Fales’ upper echelon passing ability will make up for the incompetence of the running backs.
4. Utah State
Chuckie Keeton is to Utah State as Cody Fajardo was to Nevada. Keeton, a dual-threat quarterback, ran a primarily pistol offense as well. Kerwynn Williams, who ran for 15 touchdowns and averaged nearly seven yards per carry, has moved on to the NFL, leaving junior Joe Hill to fill his shoes. Hill can be similarly effective when running the read-option with Keeton and can still give opposing defensive coordinators headaches.
5. Boise State
The monstrous Jay Ajayi will step up into the starting running back role as he sat behind 2012 senior DJ Harper last season as he was a freshman. He can become Boise’s next top shelf running back prospect since Doug Martin, although he’s more of a hard-nosed power runner than Martin was. Joe Southwick, who will be going into his second season as the starting quarterback, will have most of his receiving threats returning to him. Ajayi will open up the airways for Southwick, creating a, theoretically, unstoppable offense.
6. Wyoming
Although Wyoming isn’t nearly as pistol-based as Nevada and Utah State, they still have a dual-threat quarterback in Brett Smith. The four and five wide receiver spread sets open up the field for Smith, giving him plenty of options to throw to and an open field ahead if he sees it fit to take off and run. Other than Smith, the rest of the Wyoming offense, besides slot threat Robert Herron, are mediocre, at best. Although, Herron is an elusive, explosive threat who can bust out a game breaking play at any time.
7. San Diego State
Junior running back Adam Muema is one of the nation’s most underrated running threats. Muema averaged over six yards per carry while also accumulating 16 rushing touchdowns. He was and will be the team’s offensive backbone that gives the lacking talents at quarterback an easier job. Adam Dingwell, who threw roughly half of the offense’s passes, will assume the full time position as the starting quarterback and will be accompanied by two of last season’s top five receiving threats. Despite that, Muema will still carry the team.
8. New Mexico
The Lobos were filthy on the ground last season. They racked up nearly 4,000 rushing yards, 1,100 of which came from a freshman quarterback and running back combo. Both will step up into the starting role at their respective positions and should make for a more explosive offense than the previous year
9. Air Force
Ironically enough, Air Force lacks in the area of passing. They thrive from with their triple-option offense that loads up the line of scrimmage and often confuses defenses. Air Force more than tripled their passing yards in rushing yards with running back Jon Lee being the leading returning rusher with 545 yards in 2012. Considering they will be losing four of the past season’s top six rushers, Air Force may struggle to run as high powered of an offense as they did last year.
10. UNLV
Yardage wise, UNLV produced fairly evenly through running and passing, but turnovers were their downfall. Returning quarterback Nick Sherry threw 17 interceptions, yet only backed it up with 16 passing touchdowns. Leading rushers Tim Cornett and Bradley Randle will be returning as well after combining for roughly 1,900 yards on the ground in their last campaign together.