The Mountain West enters its second season searching for an identity. Is it a passing conference? A running conference? A tough conference?

Who knows? After all, Air Force is working on throwing the ball. And so is John Robinson and UNLV. Then again, Wyoming is toning its offense down and trying to run more.

This season looks like Utah and Colorado State should battle it out for the conference crown, but there are a few sleepers out there. Watch out UNLV and BYU, as they have the talent to make a run at the conference crown.

Air Force Falcons
1999 record: 6-5
Coach: Fisher DeBerry
Returning starters: 7 (5 offense, 2 defense)

Outlook: There's a reason they're called Air Force. DeBerry spent a good deal of the spring working on the passing game. In the spring game, the Falcons threw for 414 yards and ran for just 179. Of course, don't get used to it. After a sub-par season last year when the Falcons had problems throwing the ball, De Berry wants to make sure that doesn't happen again. Mike Thiessen, despite missing part of the spring playing baseball, is back at QB, but received a challenge this spring from Keith Boyea. Boyea, who missed last season with academic problems, had a great spring not only running the option, but throwing the ball. The receivers, a concern for DeBerry, played well -- highlighted by Ryan Fleming, who caught eight passes all last season but hauled in seven during the spring game. While it's nice to have the passing game working a little better, Air Force is still a ground-oriented team. The option will be effective with Thiessen, who could be the best runner on the squad, and RBs Scotty McKay and Qualario Brown. The line always undergoes a makeover each spring and even though the Falcons add 300-pound RG Terrence Barreauw, this group will need to get better in the fall.

	Season Openers
	Team	Date	Opponent
	Air Force	9/2	C.S.-Northridge
	BYU	8/26	Florida State
	Colo. State	9/2	Colorado
	N. Mexico	8/26	Tecas Tech
	SDSU	8/31	Arizona St.
	UNLV	9/9	at Iowa State
	Utah	9/1	Arizona
	Wyoming	8/31	at Auburn

Defensively, the Falcons have some work to do. After losing nine starters, this is a unit that is being remade, but that doesn't mean it won't make the plays. Air Force always seems to lose the most players in the conference, but they still keep winning. The Falcons are thinking good things about their linebackers. Keith Runyon, who missed the last two seasons while on a Mormon mission, is playing well and Air Force also gets C.J. Zanotti back after an injury-filled 1999 season. Add them to Matt Pommer and this is a very good unit. The line has good size in DTs Kyle Allen and Justin Pendry, both of whom tip the scales at more than 270 pounds. The secondary is being rebuilt. The Falcons will have seniors, but that doesn't mean they'll have experience.

Question mark: Will the defense do the job? The Falcons look strong at linebacker and the line has potential. The secondary, however, is being overhauled and will need to make plays for this defense to be effective.

Keep an eye on: RB Qualario Brown. Brown averaged more than six yards a carry two years ago, but missed most of last season with injuries. With Brown back, the Air Force ground game is much better.

Brigham Young Cougars
1999 record: 8-4
Coach: Lavell Edwards
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: It's different at BYU this spring. The best news is the new home jerseys the NCAA forced on the Cougars. No more of those dark blue jerseys with big, white lobster bibs on the front. Those are gone, as is 22-year offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who took off to N.C. State. Instead, 17-year assistant Lance Reynolds is running the offense and he has some decisions to make -- like, who's going to be the quarterback. Bret Engemann, Charlie Peterson and Brandon Doman are in a three-way battle for the starting spot and no one has jumped forward to claim the job. This is a battle that will continue in the fall and could result in all three seeing time during the early part of the schedule. Another problem is at running back. Luke Staley and Fahu Tahi were both injured and could miss the season. Staley might redshirt if he's not better, and Tahi could go on a mission. The only good news there is Paul Peterson had a very good spring, rushing for 70 yards on nine carries in the spring game to go with his 233 combined yards in an earlier scrimmage. This should still be a pretty good offense. The receivers are as good as BYU has had in a long, long time. Ben Horton, Margin Hooks, Soren Halladay and Jonathan Pittman lead a deep and talented group. The line features a pair of juco transfers and the usual big boned kids -- all lineman are 280-plus pounds. It should be an improved unit.

Defensively, this group is surprisingly good. The line should be one of the better ones in the Mountain West and a great spring only re-emphasized that thought. Converted tight end Brett Keisel was especially promising with a two sacks, two pass breakups and two QB hurries in the spring game. With the loss of Rob Morris, the linebackers obviously drop a bit, but not as much as it would seem. Jeff Holtry played well when Morris was hurt last season and will assume the middle linebacker spot. With Justin Ena taking the outside slot, that makes this a very good front seven. The secondary will look to junior college transfer to help at cornerback, but this is the weak spot of an otherwise solid defense.

Question mark: Who's going to be the quarterback? No matter how much his brother-in-law Larry King weighs in on the matter, Engemann won't get the starting job until he starts to play better. He has the best arm and the bravado (He's telling local writers the Cougars will beat FSU), but Peterson and Doman have played well this spring. This is a battle that will continue all through the fall.

Keep an eye on: WRs Margin Hooks, Ben Horton and Jonathan Pittman. The trio combined for 132 catches and 2,000 yards last season and will be ever better this year. Edwards says this group has a chance to be as good as BYU has ever had.

Colorado State Rams
1999 record: 8-4
Coach: Sonny Lubick
Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense)

	Newton will do more for the Rams this season

Outlook: Colorado State looks like it could run its offense effectively it snowshoes. For a while, it looked like they might have to try. As snow poured on the spring game, Lubick tuned it into a controlled scrimmage to avoid injuries, but he saw plenty in earlier workouts. Quarterback Matt Newton ran the offense effectively and easily, showing why he is one of the best QBs in the conference. The Rams will miss last season's conference offensive MVP Kevin McDougal, but Rashaan Sanders averaged nearly five yards a carry in limited action last season and should keep the running game going. Dallas Davis, who has all-conference talent, leads the receivers, and a line that gave up just nine sacks last season should at least as good this year. The line is a little nicked up -- playing with only five healthy players in the spring game -- but should be fine by the fall.

Defensively, the Rams should be tough as well. The line will be strong in the middle with DTs Mike Mackenzie and Jamie Bennett back. The linebackers welcome the return of Rick Crowell, who received an extra year of eligibility after tearing his rotator cuff last season. Lubick calls Crowell the best linebacker he's ever coached and will team with Adam Wade to give the Rams some pop. The secondary features safety John Howell and freshman CB Dexter Wynn had Lubick calling him the biggest surprise of the spring. He'll battle for a starting spot in the fall.

Question mark: Will Sanders be able to carry the running game? McDougal was a workhorse who kept defenses honest. Sanders is talented and needs to be the man so Newton can throw the ball.

Keep an eye on: WR Dallas Davis. Davis ranked sixth in the nation in punt returning last season and has the Rams' brain trust making up plays to get the ball in his hands. He's a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

New Mexico Lobos
1999 record: 4-7
Coach: Rocky Long
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: Things are going to be a little different at New Mexico with new offensive coordinator Dennis Dodd. Dodd, who comes from TCU, brings a multiple formation offense that still features the option. In other words, not an easy transition, but the Lobos have taken to it fairly easily. Rudy Caamano will battle a pair of junior college transfers in the fall for the job after Scott Stein left the program.The Lobos will have a big-back attack with Harold Wiggins and Jarrod Baxter. Both weigh more than 200 pounds and they combined for 1,035 yards and nine TDs last season. The receivers are unproven, but Illinois transfer Larry Davis could be the go-to guy before long. The line is led by tackle Jon Samuelson is a stud who graded perfectly twice last season and could be ever better this fall.

Defensively, the biggest challenge will be replacing All-Everything Brian Urlacher. He was a great crutch for the Lobos last season, but this year there'll be no real star. The line will be deep and experienced and Mike Barnett -- who is one of the best defensive players in the conference -- leads a decent linebacker group. The secondary is a concern. Safety Rantie Harper is injury prone and the Lobos have little else to go with CB Walter Bernard.

Question mark: Will the secondary do the job? There are players with starting experience, but teams will attack the Lobos through the air until this group shows it can make the plays.

Keep an eye on: RT Jon Samuelson. It's not real fancy. Run the ball behind the 6-6, 305-pound Samuelson and good things will happen. He's durable (started every game and played 807 plays), tough and a smart player.

San Diego State Aztecs
1999 record: 5-6
Coach: Ted Tollner
Returning starters: 7 (5 offense, 2 defense)

Outlook: Don't look for many defensive struggles from San Diego State this season. The Aztecs were hit hard by graduation and, as a result, the offense may have to carry the load this season. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Quarterback Jack Hawley struggled making the jump from junior college to Division I last season, but this spring is showing why people called him the best West Coast junior college quarterback two years ago. Larry Ned returns at running back after gaining nearly 900 yards last season. The receivers are heavy on junior college imports, but they showed this spring they'll be a good unit. The key to making this offense run if the unproven line. Tackle Mike Houghton returns, but the real battle for the rest of the line spots won't begin until the fall when several junior college and incoming freshman report.

Defensively, first year defensive coordinator Ken Delgado has some work to do. Jerome Haywood is the lone lineman returning, but he's a good one to have back. At 5-9 and 280 pounds, he's a little guy who doesn't like to get pushed around. He's been all-conference twice and is Gilbert Brown-like in clogging the middle. The linebackers will have a junior college flavor with three transfers in the mix for the starting spots. The secondary has some experience and Brian Russell continues to improve at free safety.

Question mark: How long will it take the offensive line to come together? The Aztecs can't afford to wait too long, not with such an inexperienced defense. San Diego State has the skill players to put points on the board, it just needs the line to give them some room to do it.

Keep an eye on: QB Jack Hawley. He struggled last season, but this spring he's been a different player. He's reading blitzes better, he knows exactly where the receivers are going to be and is living up to the hype that weighed him down last season.

UNLV Runnin' Rebels
1999 record: 3-8
Coach: John Robinson
Returning starters: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: It only seems like Robinson, the former NFL coach, hit the free agent market for UNLV this season. Three transfers forced to sit out last year are playing their final season. Three junior college transfers are in their final year as well. There's a sense of urgency to make things happen this year and Robinson won't stand in the way. The man who loves nothing better than to call "Student Body Right" and "Student Body Left" will actually call some pass plays this year. The conservative approach worked great last season in the fact they had very few turnovers, but they also had very few points. Quarterback Jason Thomas had a legendary prep career in Los Angeles and transferred from USC to follow Robinson, who had recruited him while with the Trojans. He sat out last season, and while there is still some competition from Jason Vaughan and Matt Ray, it would be surprising if Thomas did actually share time with either of them. The running backs are deep and anxious to play. Jeremi Rudolph is back and will have heavy competition from FSU transfer Raymont Skaggs and Washington State import Kevin Brown. The receivers are another area of great depth and talent, highlighted by Nate Turner, whom Robinson compares to Keyshawn Johnson. The line has plenty of experience with all five starters returning and if they improve even marginally, this could be a very good offense.

The changes aren't limited to the offense. The Rebels will be much more aggressive defensively as well. Robinson has had trouble finding big, defensive lineman so he started going for speed. Example? Try Scott Parkhurst, a 6-3, 245-pound end who spurned UCLA to join UNLV. The linebackers have two returning starters and receive a boost from juco transfer Lamar Owens. The secondary is a bunch of gamblers -- hey, it is still Vegas -- but they make things happen.

Question mark: Will the aggressive play work? Robinson is gambling his team is ready to challenge for the Mountain West crown and with all the imported talent, he could be right. It's a gamble to change, but it's one that could pay off with a bowl bid.

Keep an eye on: QB Jason Thomas. It's premature to crown him the starter, but it won't be long before he is. Thomas ran a 4.46 in the spring and wowed coaches and teammates with a strong arm and amazing mobility for a guy 6-4 and 240 pounds. If he's rusty from the time off, it's not showing.

Utah Utes
1999 record: 9-3
Coach: Ron McBride
Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense)

Outlook: Forgive McBride if he's a little surly. Things went so well last season for Utah, he doesn't want a speck of complacency to creep in and ruin what could be a very good team. McBride has a pair of talented QBs in T.D. Croshaw (now that's a great name for a quarterback) and Darnell Arceneaux. McBride has said he might use both or could just keep the starter a secret to confuse opposing teams since they have different styles. Croshaw is more of a drop-back passer and Arceneaux is a scrambler who makes things happen. Croshaw had the edge at the end of the spring, but this is a battle that will continue in the fall. Whoever takes the snaps will have talented receivers to look for downfield. Steve Smith and Cliff Russell are game-breakers and the best duo in the conference. The line is solid and showed this spring it will be a position of strength for Utah. The lone question offensively is running back. D'Shaun Crockett won the job in the spring, but could face competition in the fall if Dameon Hunter and Adam Tate become academically eligible in the fall.

Defensively, Utah has a solid line led by DE Garrett Smith and NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu. The Utes hope to see LB Kautai Olevao back at full strength in the fall. He missed spring drills following knee surgery, but should return in the fall. Considering he played on a bum knee last season and was an all-conference pick, a healthy Olevao gives the Utes a very good front seven. The secondary could be the strength of the defense with S Jason Potter and CB Andre Dyson.

Question mark: Who will be quarterback? Who cares? They each give the Utes a different look and would make it tough for opposing teams to prepare to play Utah. McBride will keep this hand close to the vest all season.

Keep an eye on: WR Steve Smith. Smith has Michael Johnson speed and Michael Jackson moves. McBride and the Utes expect big things out of him this season.

Wyoming Cowboys
1999 record: 7-4
Coach: Vic Koenning
Returning starters: 9 (4 offense, 5 defense)

Outlook: The good news at Wyoming is only half the team has to learn a new playbook. With defensive coordinator Vic Koenning replacing Dana Dimel (who bolted for Houston) as head coach, the Cowboys will go away from the wild, triple-shoot offense to a multiple formation offense that will emphasize the run as much as the pass. Quarterback Jay Stoner embraced the new offense with a great spring, completing 70 percent of his passes. Nate Scott finished the spring strong to earn the starting slot, for now. He still needs to work on things like playing through little injuries and pass protection, but Koenning liked the way he was improving. The receivers are young and still learning and the line is young, but boasts a talented pair of tackles in Rob Kellerman and Adam Goldberg.

Defensively, the line is Wyoming's strength with Pat Hirsch, Patrick Chukwurah and Jeff Boyle forming a solid nucleus. There will also be a few junior college players arriving this fall to make this a deep and talented group. The linebackers and secondary are progressing and both will receive an infusion of junior college talent in the fall. While it is an inexperienced group, Koenning has always made Wyoming's defense a good one.

Question mark: Will the offense take to another new system? This is Stoner's third coach in five seasons. But the Cowboys have taken well to the system and Koenning says they plan to stick with this system. It should provide a more balanced offense to go with Koenning's tough defense.

Keep an eye on: QB Jay Stoner. He's adapted well to the change in offensive philosophy. He's seeing the field better and finding secondary receivers easier. He should make the transition a smooth one.

Joe Wojciechowski is the college football editor at ESPN.com