While conference administrators continue to lobby for a bigger piece of the BCS pie, the teams of the Mountain West prepare for an opportunity to prove on the field that they deserve it.

Because the conference did not even exist when the BCS was created in 1998, the MWC never had a chance to be included. But the surest way to become one of the big boys is to beat the big boys, and Mountain West teams hope to do that more often this year.

In the conference's inaugural season (1999), it had a very impressive record of 7-5 against schools from BCS leagues. But over the last three years, the success rate has dwindled to just 24.2 percent. It's time to make some noise, and this year sets up well for it.

	Inside the Mountain West
	Can anyone stop Air Force QB Chance Harridge? Can BYU rebound? Can New Mexico RB DonTrell more do it again? Find out in the Mountain West team-by-team story lines.

Seven of the eight MWC teams return their starting quarterback, and there are plenty of big games on the schedule. The top teams in the conference will take their shots at USC, Notre Dame, Colorado, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oregon, Washington State, Cal, Stanford and Georgia Tech.

In recent years, Mountain West schools have beaten up on each other a great deal in conference play. But without wins in a few of these big games out of the conference, such parity is often interpreted as inferiority. And if perception is indeed reality, then this season is a big one for the MWC.

One school that has little need to prove itself, however, is Colorado State. The Rams have been Top 25 regulars in recent years and have won three of the last four games against rival Colorado. Sonny Lubick's team has also won or shared three of the four Mountain West titles and is favored to take home the trophy again this season.

The biggest challenge to the crown might come from New Mexico. The Lobos finished second to CSU last year, losing a hard-fought battle by only eight points in Fort Collins. UNM returns 25 players with starting experience and still feels like it has something to prove.

Air Force and BYU are seemingly always contenders, although the Cougars were way off the pace last year. Third-year head coach Gary Crowton must find a running game and a defense to return to the success of his first season in Provo.

And down the road in Salt Lake City, Urban Meyer begins his assignment of returning the Utes to contender status. In his previous job, Meyer immediately revived the Bowling Green program, and he should have more talent to work with at Utah.

San Diego State showed its own signs of recovery last season, posting a 4-3 conference record (tied for third place with Air Force). The Aztec offense should still be dangerous if it can replace a pair of prolific receivers.

UNLV looks to return to the upper tier of the conference standings and proved its ability to do so with a late-season win at Colorado State last year.

And after three straight years in the Mountain West cellar, Wyoming starts over this season with new head coach Joe Glenn.

Game of the Year
Colorado State at New Mexico, Nov. 7. The road to the Mountain West title goes through Albuquerque, as the Lobos get visits from Air Force, BYU and CSU. Knocking off the defending champs will be the biggest challenge. UNM won the statistical battle against the Rams last season, allowing only one offensive TD, but lost the game because of two critical fumbles.

Offensive Player of the Year
Bradlee Van Pelt, QB, Colorado State. While earning this same conference honor on the field in 2002, Van Pelt showed great improvement over his first year as a starter. He rushed for more than 800 yards and 11 TD and started to come into his own as a passer. If he continues to get better, no player in the Mountain West will be more valuable in 2003 either.

Defensive Player of the Year
Jason Kaufusi, DE, Utah. After being Freshman of the Year in 2000 and first-team all-conference in 2001 and 2002, Kaufusi seems ready to take this last step. If he is fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, his presence in the opposing backfield will help the Utes maintain their excellence on defense. San Diego State LB Kirk Morrison and UNLV safety Jamaal Brimmer could also have big seasons.

Brad Edwards is a researcher for ESPN.