Media tab U. 1st, Y. 4th

CORONADO, Calif. — Perhaps the Mountain West Conference ought to draw straws, throw darts or borrow the NBA's ping-pong ball lottery machine. As usual, those in the know aren't putting a lot of stock in the media's preseason football poll.

Two-time defending champion Utah was picked to finish first and BYU fourth in results released at the league's annual football meetings Monday morning. The Utes received 18 of 30 first-place votes to outdistance New Mexico and Wyoming for the top spot.

"It's a great honor. It's great that people have that respect for us and stuff. But it really doesn't mean much until we get out there and start playing," said Utah linebacker Spencer Toone. "Nobody really remembers who is picked No. 1 at the first of the year. It's more who's No. 1 at the end of the year. That's what does all of the talking."

Offensive lineman Jesse Boone referred to the preseason pick as a compliment and little more.

"I guess it's a good thing. It shows the league thinks highly of us I suppose," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "But there's no question in my mind that the Mountain West Conference, this year especially, is a wide-open race."

There are no teams in the conference, he added, that don't have at least an outside shot of winning the title.

"I guess it's a show of respect for us," said Whittingham. "But we've got a long road ahead of us,"

Predictions of parity are commonplace. Four teams (Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming and BYU) received first-place votes.

"With the balance I see in this conference I think anybody can beat anybody," predicts Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry. His Falcons were picked to finish seventh — behind Colorado State and league newcomer Texas Christian and ahead of San Diego State and UNLV.

Variables such as having TCU in the mix and rookie head coaches at BYU, Utah and UNLV may alter the race. So, too, will predictions of parity.

"It's as deep of a conference as I've ever participated in," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, who isn't sure there is a clear favorite or cellar-dweller in the MWC.

The preseason poll, he explained, is simply what the media says.

"I think it's a starting place," Mendenhall said when asked about BYU's projected placement. "I don't think it has any merit other than a starting place with a talented team and a rookie head coach. Ultimately what I care about is at the end of the year and where we finish.