The Mountain West Conference is bracing for a new college football world.

After a year in which the league paid $4 million to provide COVID-19 testing, the availability of a free vaccine is resulting in the test costs now being passed to the 12 member schools or unvaccinated players. The league also will impose forfeits — not cancellations nor postponements — to school’s that cannot compete because of coronavirus-related circumstances.

The transfer portal is getting busier because of a ruling allowing players a one-time transfer without having to redshirt at the next school. That appears to be useful for all MWC schools except the Air Force Academy, which has a screening process of up to five months.

“It’s like the NFL, if 31 (teams) can lose free agents but add free agents,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said, “and one (team) could lose free agents, but not add any. That includes two-year transfers, transfers and grad transfers. We’re not going to add to our roster that way.”

But Calhoun welcomes the new ruling enabling players to profit from their name, image and likeness. “It depends if you believe in the rights of the individual,” Calhoun said. “We live in a country where the colonel makes more than the sergeant. That’s America, too. When you take an oath, it’s to the Constitution of the United States. Free commerce is one of those (rights).”

Several MWC players have made use of the NIL rule. Hawaii quarterback Chevan Cordeiro has reached a deal to contribute to Central Pacific Bank’s social media platform. Nevada quarterback Carson Strong has offers with card companies but is evaluating the market before making a commitment. For now, Strong’s NIL income will come from football lessons under his Strong-Arm Qs brand. “I could teach your grandma how to throw a spiral,” Strong said.

Andy Avalos replaces Bryan Harsin, who went to Auburn, as Boise State’s head coach. The Broncos were picked to win the league’s Mountain Division.

Because of Aloha Stadium’s unavailability, UH has retrofitted the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex to a 9,000-seat facility for home games.

“I think the smaller stadium will make it feel more crowded,” San Jose State quarterback Nick Starkel said. “I think it’s going to be a really great atmosphere, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

WEST DIVISION

1. NEVADA WOLF PACK

>> Head coach: Jay Norvell

>> 2020 records: 7-2, 6-2 MWC

>> Outlook: Quarterback Carson Strong, who connected on 70.1% of last year’s passes, wants to take a swing at 80% or better. “I compare playing quarterback to boxing,” said Strong, who had 27 TDs to four picks. “Give ’em a couple left jab, left jab, and when they put their hands down, you get ’em with the knockout.” Strong is healthier after undergoing a knee procedure in which he received a plug of cartilage from a cadaver. Wideout Romeo Doubs (13 receptions of 25-plus yards) and tight end Cole Turner are Strong’s favorite targets. Defensive target Dom Peterson (4.5 sacks) is an interior pocket-breaker.

2. SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS

>> Head coach: Brent Brennan

>> 2020 records: 7-1, 6-0 MWC

>> Outlook: Widely unrecognized even wearing blue shoes and an SJSU shirt, Brennan will chit-chat with strangers on the street. “I’ll be like, ‘Go Spartans,’ and they’ll say, ‘Yeah, they had a good year,’” Brennan said. “I’m like, ‘Way to go.’ They had no idea who I am.” Fewer did in 2018, when the Spartans were 1-11. But Brennan stuck to the blueprint of a balanced attack, found a quarterback (Nick Starkel) who was a better fit than at previous stops at Texas A&M and Arkansas, and let defensive end Cade Hall (10.0 sacks in first seven games) play red rover with tandem blocks. The Spartans were 7-0 in the 2020 regular season. “When we were 1-11, nobody wanted to talk Spartan football,” Brennan said. “Now everyone is a little more friendly when I’m rocking the San Jose State hoodie around town.”

3. SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS

>> Head coach: Brady Hoke

>> 2020 records: 4-4, 4-2 MWC

>> Outlook: No doubt the Aztecs can put together long drives. The day before each home game, the Aztecs make the 112-mile drive to Carson, Calif., where they will play while their on-campus stadium is being constructed. For the third year in a row, there will be a new QB1. Lucas Johnson and Jordon Brookshire appear to have the edge, although the starter won’t be picked until after the 14th summer practice. Tight end Daniel Bellinger soared in the hybrid position after a growth spurt in high school. While Bellinger enjoys posting up DBs, he hungers for pancakes. “There’s no better feeling than putting a guy on the ground,” Bellinger said. “I like receiving, but definitely getting a good block is fun.”

4. FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS

>> Head coach: Kalen DeBoer

>> 2020 records: 3-3, 3-3 MWC

>> Outlook: Running back Ronnie Rivers, who is familiar with pay dirt (44 career TDs), opted against seeking a different sort of pay dirt. He turned down a chance to apply for the 2020 NFL Draft to remain at SDSU as a “super senior.” There were a lot of fired-up coaches on our staff when I got the call (from Rivers),” DeBoer said. Rivers is seventh on FSU’s career rushing list with 2,629 yards — 844 behind the No. 2 rusher, his father, Ron Rivers. Jake Haener, who led the league with 336.8 passing yards per game, had a TD/pick split of 14/5. Rush end David Perales leads a defense that was third nationally in sacks (4.17 per game).

5. HAWAII RAINBOW WARRIORS

>> Head coach: Todd Graham

>> 2020 records: 5-4, 4-4 MW

>> Outlook: With no spring training in 2020 and an abbreviated training camp, the Warriors were not able to fully implement the tempo offense and full-terror defense that Graham orchestrated at Tulsa and Arizona State. But the Warriors were able to install the full packages this past spring. That means an even larger role for Calvin Turner, who amassed 133.3 all-purpose yards per game as a running back, slot, wideout, jet sweeper, wildcat quarterback and kickoff returner. Last week, he was named the league’s top punt returner despite not fielding a punt in 2020. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro’s game also should expand with the quick-release schemes. Bo Graham has been promoted to offensive coordinator, although he was the primary play-caller last year. Trent Figg is assisting Todd Graham with the defense while overseeing the secondary, with an emphasis on the safeties.

6. UNLV REBELS

>> Head coach: Marcus Arroyo

>> 2020 records: 0-6, 0-6 MWC

>> Outlook: There are speed backs and power backs, and Charles Williams Jr.’s father wanted him to be both. “He said if you drop your shoulder, you’ll get 10 more yards,” Williams recalled of the 6-foot-2, 230-pound elder’s backyard advice. “He used to make me put on my pads and try to run him over. I really tried.” Now the “Chuck Wagon” is in reach of UNLV’s career rushing mark. Williams is embracing the handle he received soon after stepping on campus. “I’ll be walking into the training room and it’s like, ‘It’s the Chuck Wagon.’ My teammates were like, ‘Mr. Wagon.’ My parents like it. My mom would be like, ‘The Wagon’s on the phone.’”

1. BOISE STATE BRONCOS

>> Head coach: Andy Avalos

>> 2020 records: 5-2, 5-0 MWC

>> Outlook: A day after the 2020 season ended, the Broncos opted out of participating in a bowl game. Soon after, Bryan Harsin’s seven-year BSU tenure concluded when he accepted the head job at Auburn. Andy Avalos, a former Broncos linebacker and defensive coordinator, returns as Harsin’s successor. Avalos promises to live up to the Bronco Way. Translation: resolving the QB battle between Hank Bachmeier and former USC transfer Jack Sears; boosting a running attack that averaged 3.28 yards per carry, including 0.23 on third down, and multiplying last year’s three takeaways. The Broncos kept the offensive tinkering under wraps in the spring game — “at some point, it’s just go deep,” receiver Khalil Shakir mused — but the Broncos are expected to be innovative with fewer specialized personnel groups. Linebacker Riley Whimpey and defensive end Shane Irwin (six of BSU’s 18 sacks) are starting points on defense.

2. WYOMING cowboys

>> Head coach: Craig Bohl

>> 2020 records: 2-4, 2-4 MWC

>> Outlook: Linebacker Chad Muma and his siblings spent many Saturday afternoons at War Memorial Stadium, playing in the shade of the pine trees and then watching Cowboy games with their father. Muma’s father and grandfather were both Cowboys. Muma and his father still bond over Wyoming football. “He’ll record all the games and watch them and send me text messages on how I can do better and what I did well,” Muma said. Muma has managed Type-1 diabetes to become one of the nation’s top tacklers. In 2020, Muma averaged 11.8 tackles, including 5.5 solo stops per game. “We’ve had a lot of linebackers play in the NFL, including the last school I was at, he may be as good,” Bohl said. “When he sees something, he shoots his gun … he makes great decisions. He’ll run our defense.”

3. AIR FORCE FALCONS

>> Head coach: Troy Calhoun

>> 2020 records: 3-3, 2-2 MWC

>> Outlook: With the length of the 2020 season in jeopardy — heck, the entire season — 40 Falcons decided to become “turnbacks,” a term describing those going on sabbatical for at least a semester. It is not an uncommon choice. A recent four-star general was once a one-year turnback at the academy. Calhoun said the turnbacks used the break for four-month internships, to accumulate flying hours, or to undergo surgeries. Defensive tackle Jordan Jackson and linebacker Demonte Meeks spent post-surgery time working in an engineering program. Now the returning turnbacks and incoming freshmen have created depth and competition at every position. There are at least five candidates for the quarterback’s job. “We go into each season with the realization there’s a good chance you’re going to play multiple guys at multiple positions,” Calhoun said. “It’s the reality of what occurs.”

4. COLORADO STATE RAMS

>> Head coach: Steve Addazio

>> 2020 records: 1-3, 1-3 MWC

>> Outlook: The Rams led the nation in tackles for loss (10.5 per game) and were 12th against the run (108.5 yards), but that was based on a small sample size. With half their schedule canceled, the Rams played only four games. “You work 365 days a year for opportunities, and you only get four,” said linebacker Dequan Jackson, who averaged 10.0 tackles. “Think about that, working hard for a year to get four hours (of game time). That’s not a lot.” The defensive front is back, and it appears Todd Centeio, who began his career at Temple, gets the first shot at quarterback. Jon Budmayr, who coached Wisconsin’s QBs for three years, is the new offensive coordinator.

5. UTAH STATE AGGIES

>> Head coach: Blake Anderson

>> 2020 records: 1-5, 1-5 MWC

>> Outlook: The Aggies voted to not play the 2020 finale in protest of controversial comments the school’s leader made about a coaching candidate. “We would have loved to play the game,” returner Savon Scarver said. “It was something bigger that needed to be discussed, actions that needed to be taken. That was what made us decide not to play that last game.” Anderson, who won two titles at Arkansas State, has fostered an atmosphere of “low ego, high energy” for the staff and players. “Just the freshness of energy is something that’s got them excited,” Anderson said. “We’re all newcomers.” The Rams have 14 “super” seniors, including Justin Rice, who was an All-MWC linebacker with Fresno State two seasons ago. He transferred to Arkansas State when it was believed FSU would not play in 2020. Rice then decided to join Anderson in the move to USU. “I’m glad he gets to finish with us,” Anderson said.

6. NEW MEXICO LOBOS

>> Head coach: Danny Gonzales

>> 2020 records: 2-5, 2-5 MWC

>> Outlook: When the going gets tough, the Lobos get going … up the hills at Mesa Del Sol. As part of training, the Lobos navigate the 300-yard path on a 40% incline. There are defibrillators handy. Dirt bikers once used the hill until it was deemed too slippery. “It’s how you push yourself when you think you can’t go anymore,” Gonzales said. “Those are some of the things we try to do with the hills. You see someone do it, you don’t want to be outdone. Then you see some try to outsmart it, go by where the weeds are, and use the weeds as footing.” Even at quarterback, where Kentucky transfer Terry Wilson is the clubhouse leader, there are deep position battles. Rocky Long, co-inventor of the 3-3-5 stack, is back for his second year as defensive coordinator.