The Mountain West Conference released its 2011 preseason football poll on Tuesday, and the Wyoming Cowboys were selected sixth in the eight-team Mountain West. Boise State was picked as the preseason favorite, receiving 28 of 31 first-place votes from conference media members. Defending Champion TCU was picked second, receiving the other three first-place votes.

“It was about where I thought we would be picked heading into this season,” said Wyoming’s third-year head coach Dave Christensen. “But of course it isn’t about where you are picked to start the year, it’s about where you finish. I feel like we have an excellent group of leaders on our team, and I’ve never been around a team with a better work ethic. I can’t wait to start fall practice, and I know our team feels the same way.”

Wyoming had one player selected to the preseason First Team All-Mountain West team. Senior defensive end Josh Biezuns was named to the First Team defense. Biezuns earned Second Team All-Conference honors at the conclusion of the 2010 season.

“Josh’s selection to the preseason All-Conference team is obviously well-deserved,” said Christensen. “He needs to just stay focused on having his best year ever, and I know he will do that. I think we have several other players who could have All-Conference years if they stay focused on getting better every day in practice.”

Following Boise State and TCU, Air Force was picked third. The San Diego State Aztecs came in fourth, followed by Colorado State (fifth), Wyoming (sixth), UNLV (seventh) and New Mexico (eighth).

The Cowboys report for spring practice on Wednesday, Aug. 3 and their first practice is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4 at 3:05 p.m. The Cowboys first week of practice will also include practices Friday and Saturday mornings at 8:45 a.m. Wyoming’s first scrimmage is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 8:45 a.m. Wyoming’s fall practices will be open for the first 30 minutes of practice. The Cowboys’ fall scrimmages will be open.

2011 Mountain West Football Preseason Poll

1. Boise State (28) 236

2. TCU (3) 208

3. Air Force 176

4. San Diego State 160

5. Colorado State 104

6. Wyoming 80

7. UNLV 77

8. New Mexico 39

2011 Mountain West Football All-Conference Team

Defense

DL Josh Biezuns** Sr. Wyoming

DL Billy Winn Sr. Boise State

DL Shea McClellin Sr. Boise State

DL Stansly Maponga** So. TCU

LB Tank Carder#* Sr. TCU

LB Mychal Sisson ** Sr. Colorado State

LB Miles Burris* Sr. San Diego State

DB George Iloka Sr. Boise State

DB Leon McFadden* Jr. San Diego State

DB Anthony Wright Sr. Air Force

DB Jon Davis Sr. Air Force

Offense

QB Kellen Moore Sr. Boise State

WR Phillip Payne Sr. UNLV

WR Josh Boyce So. TCU

RB Ronnie Hillman* So. San Diego State

RB Doug Martin Sr. Boise State

OL Nate Porter Sr. Boise State

OL A.J. Wallerstein** Sr. Air Force

OL Kyle Dooley Sr. TCU

OL Thomas Byrd Sr. Boise State

OL Paul Madsen** Sr. Colorado State

TE Lucas Reed* Jr. New Mexico

Specialists

P Brian Stahovich* Sr. San Diego State

PK James Aho Sr. New Mexico

Ret. Jonathan Warzeka Sr. Air Force

Offensive Player of the Year Kellen Moore, Sr., QB, Boise State

Defensive Player of the Year Tank Carder, Sr., LB, TCU

Special Teams Player of the Year Jonathan Warzeka, Sr., KR, Air Force

#Unanimous 2011 preseason selection

*Member of the 2010 All-Mountain West First Team

** Member of the 2010 All-Mountain West Second Team

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