Mountain West media days kick off in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (KFSN) -- It's late July and football season is fast approaching. For those who can't wait to get their fix of college football, no need to worry-- the 2016 Mountain West Football media days are underway and run through Wednesday.

The 2-day kickoff of Mountain West Football media days began with the unveiling of the preseason poll and all-conference teams. Fresno State was chosen 4th in the West Division, while no Bulldogs made the preseason team the first time since the Dogs joined the MW.

Despite all of that the dogs aren't being taken lightly in 2016.

"You always know you are going to get a great game out of Fresno State. They play very well, very hard and it's always going to be a competitive contest when you play against them," said Nolan Peralta, Colorado State Tight End.

"I think the biggest thing with Fresno State is unbelievable talent, it's been that way for the last 25 years. Great, great tradition-- the amount of guys that go on to the NFL, the number of years where they have won nine, 10, 11 games and played in a bowl game, darn near every single year," said Troy Calhoun, Air Force Head Coach.

Boise State received 27 of the 29 first-place votes earning the preseason nod for mountain division champs.

"We're kind of used to it, but we also have to kind of block out that outside noise, especially preseason hype, it's pretty. Who knows what could happen, especially in a conference like this where it's so competitive," said Thomas Sperbeck, Boise State Wide Receiver.

"You know over the past couple of years they (Boise State) have been really, really good. So it's just like Ricky talks about, the preseason rankings and stuff don't really mean anything you have to go prove it now," said Austin Stephens, Utah State Offensive Lineman.

Technology and social media have been on the forefront on day one of media days, with conference announcements coming on Facebook and Twitter.

"Facebook live announced our preseason all-conference team and predicted order of finish. We are the first conference to do that on Facebook live. Great announcement last week the Mountain West signed up with Campus Insiders to air six live football games this fall and the NFL and the Mountain West are the only ones that are doing it with college football," said Javan Headlund, MW Assoc. Comm. of Communications.

"To share the quality of the product, to improve the Mountain West brand, it has to be healthy for our league and has to be great," said Troy Calhoun, Air Force Football Head Coach.

The west division teams will speak Wednesday, including Fresno State as the Dogs look to rebound from a 3-9 season last year.

Coach Deruyter, Aaron Peck, and Tyquwan Glass are scheduled to speak for the Dogs.