LAS VEGAS >> The University of Hawaii football is picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West Conference’s six-team West Division, according to polling of media covering the league.
The Rainbow Warriors, who finished 5-4 last year in Todd Graham’s first UH season as head coach, received 56 points from the panel of 25 voters. The poll was announced at Wednesday’s Mountain West Football Media Days.
Nevada was picked to win the West Division. The Wolf Pack received 19 first-place votes and 141 points.
Boise State was selected as the top team in the Mountain Division.
Graham was unconcerned about the prediction. As Arizona State’s head coach in 2013, the Sun Devils were picked fifth in the Pac-12’s six-team South Division. ASU ended up claiming the division title.
Last year, the Warriors were predicted to finish third in the West Division. But that poll was announced in July 2020. In August, the league announced it was postponing all fall sports. In September, it was decided MWC teams would play an all-league schedule beginning in late October. Instead of divisions, there was an overall listing. UH finished fifth.
“That’s the great thing about polls,” Graham said. “You get to play the games. I can tell you this. I hear people say, ‘does this motivate you?’ … We’re motivated to win championships. I’ve got a great belief in our football team and our players and our staff. We’re excited to go play it on the field. We’ll let our play on the field speak for itself.”
The preseason All-Mountain West team will be announced this morning.
MEDIA POLL
First-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points received
West Division
1. Nevada — 141 points (19 No. 1 votes)
2. San Jose State — 121 (5)
3. San Diego State — 96
4. Fresno State — 85 (1)
5. Hawaii — 55
6. UNLV 26
Mountain Division
1. Boise State — 148 (23)
2. Wyoming — 114 (2)
3. Air Force — 104
4. Colorado State — 72
5. Utah State — 47
6. New Mexico — 39
