No. 22 Arkansas | No. 24 Tennessee | Top 25
No. 23: Boise State
Last Season: 12-2 (7-1 MWC Mountain)
Familiar role for Boise State
Be honest. How deep into the 2014 season was it before you realized that Chris Petersen was no longer the head coach of the Broncos? In fact, you might have forgotten that completely until you read it just now. Don't sweat it. You're not alone. Because Boise State didn't miss a beat when their longtime leader bolted for Washington, beginning the College Football Playoff era the same way they famously spent large portions of the BCS era, winning a dozen games, earning an at-large bid to the Fiesta Bowl and earning an upset win over a Power 5 opponent, this time the victim being Arizona. But now still-new head coach Bryan Harsin needs to replace his quarterback, running back and kicker from the nation's ninth-ranked scoring offense one year ago. They'll have to figure out how to replace those points in a hurry. The season opens with a visit from ... why, Petersen's Huskies, naturally. -- Ryan McGee
Boise State has long been the gold standard for non-Power 5 teams. The Broncos return 17 starters and have my top-rated Mountain West units on offense and defense, led by a core of skill-position talent such as RB Kelsey Young (331 yards at Stanford last year). One concern is new starting QB Ryan Finley, a redshirt sophomore who might struggle at BYU in Week 2. But Boise is once again the favorite to grab the Group of 5 spot in a major bowl game.
Boise State's chances to win each game
09.04 vs. Washington: 76.6%
09.12 @BYU: 56.8%*
09.18 vs. Idaho State: 99.4%
09.25 @Virginia: 70.4%
10.03 vs. Hawaii: 94%
10.10 @ Colorado State: 81.8%
10.16 @Utah State: 66.6%
10.24 vs. Wyoming 96.7%
10.31 @UNLV: 96.5%
11.14 vs. New Mexico: 94.1%
11.20 vs. Air Force: 92.3%
11.27 @ San Jose State: 80.5%
*BROCK HUARD, ESPN Analyst: The thin air, raucous crowd and high expectations in Provo make me believe the Cougars should be favored in this one.
SHARON KATZ, ESPN Stats & Info: Boise has FPI's second-best odds to go unbeaten, but it can't overlook BYU and talented QB Taysom Hill.
Boise State's offense will look significantly different, but the defense is loaded and with a total of 17 starters returning, the Broncos should be favored to win the Mountain West and go 11-1. --Heather Dinich
The Broncos have the firepower on defense to be a legit player in the national championship race in Bryan Harsin's second season, but the schedule is a load, especially on the road. Another Mountain West title sounds about right with an 11-1 mark. --Chris Low
Replacing a starting offensive backfield is never easy, but Ryan Finley has promise and Bryan Harsin knows how to develop quarterbacks. The other pieces are in place for another run for a 10-2 record and a golden ticket in a New Year's Six bowl. --Adam Rittenberg
After new coach Bryan Harsin's impressive start in 2014, Boise State is an overwhelming favorite to win the Mountain West again. If the Broncos can replace some key guys on offense and survive a trio of early tests, they can go 10-2 and be the favorites to claim another bid to a New Year's Six bowl. --Mark Schlabach
No. 22 Arkansas | No. 24 Tennessee | Top 25
