Fresno State and Boise State are predicted to repeat as divisional champions in 2018, the Mountain West Conference announced Tuesday during its media summit event in Las Vegas.
Fresno State received 16 first-place votes in the West Division, earning 126 total points, according to the MWC. This is the first year the Bulldogs are favored to win the division since 2014. In 2017, the Bulldogs compiled a 7-1 conference record and beat Houston in the Hawaii Bowl.
San Diego State is predicted to finish second in the West. The Aztecs received six first-place votes and 116 total points. UNLV and Nevada are expected to finish third and fourth respectively in the division.
In the Mountain Division, Boise State is predicted to repeat as champions for the fifth year in a row, the conference says. The Broncos received a unanimous 22 first-place votes and compiled 132 total points. The Broncos finished their 2017 campaign with a 7-1 conference record and defeated the Bulldogs in the MWC championship game.
Wyoming placed second in the division in the preseason poll with 95 points, according to an MWC spokesperson. Colorado State and Utah State are being predicted to finish third and fourth respectively. Colorado State received 82 total points, and Utah State got 78 points.
The Bulldogs’ 2018 season opens Sept. 1 with a game against Idaho at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.