Expectations are still low for New Mexico.
At the Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas, Nevada, the conference announced the preseason polls for the Mountain and West Divisions. UNM was selected to finish sixth in the six-team Mountain Division and finished with just 41 points. Only UNLV (37 points) in the West Division had a lower point total than the Lobos.
Kick returner Carlos Wiggins was the lone Lobo to earn a spot on the Preseason All-Mountain West squad as a return specialist. Wiggins, who also made the preseason team last year, played in just eight games last year and averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return.
Boise State was picked to finish atop the Mountain Division with 177 points (28 first-place votes), followed by Utah State (150 points, two first-place votes), Colorado State (108 points), Air Force (90 points) and Wyoming (64 points).
In the West Division, San Diego State was tagged as the team to beat with 177 points (27 first-place votes). Fresno State finished in second with 141 points (three first-place votes).
UNM’s media day doesn’t occur until Wednesday.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
Mountain West Preseason Poll predicted order of finish
Mountain Division
Rank | Team | Points |
1. | Boise State | 177 |
2. | Utah State | 150 |
3. | Colorado State | 108 |
4. | Air Force | 90 |
5. | Wyoming | 64 |
6. | New Mexico | 41 |
West Division
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Rank | Team | Points |
1. | San Diego State | 177 |
2. | Fresno State | 141 |
3. | Nevada | 113 |
4. | San Jose State | 97 |
5. | Hawaii | 70 |
6. | UNLV | 31 |