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Fantasy Preview of the Mountain West Mountain Division

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 05: Timothy McVey #33 of the Air Force Falcons scores a touchdown in the second half of the Mountain West Championship game against the San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)

Based on my projections, the Mountain West Conference will field only a single defense (San Diego State) ranking within the FBS’ top 20 units for fantasy purposes. Boise State is a near-miss at No. 21, but we can be reasonably assured that the conference will yield more than enough fireworks in 2016. Consider the absolutely loaded Mountain Division in particular where, for example, three of the top 10 running backs in the country will continue to shred the oppositions best efforts to contain.

An important lesson toward approaching formats offering the ability to pluck talent from the non-Power Five conferences – keep a very open mind. Many of the recruits fell well under the radar during their respective scouting processes, yet are afforded every opportunity from teams looking beyond high school ratings to fill important, touch-heavy roles. (Catch up on our full college fantasy preview.)

Air Force Falcons

Eligibility hits at tight end (Garrett Griffin) and offensive line (RG A.J. Ruechel and RT Sevrin Remmo) should not prevent Air Force from improving upon an 8-6 record. Surprisingly, Boise State is the sole predictable loss listed on the 2016 schedule. All the more impressive from a program with similar recruiting restraints as seen with the other armed forces requirements. Head coach Troy Calhoun will return the 12th-most defensive snaps from the 2015 rosters, with DI Alex Hansen as its only star departure.

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