Boise State, Montana State Lead Preseason Football Polls

Boise State has been named the overwhelming favorite to win the Mountain West Conference, securing 35 of 39 first-place votes in the preseason poll, even as the team looks to replace star running back Ashton Jeanty following his departure for the NFL. The Broncos return several key players and are aiming for continued postseason success after recent conference titles and a College Football Playoff appearance. Meanwhile, Montana State tops both the coaches' and media preseason polls in the Big Sky Conference, following an undefeated 2024 league season and led by standout running back Adam Jones. Montana and UC Davis are also expected to compete strongly for the Big Sky title, while Idaho State's seventh-place projection marks its highest preseason ranking in years. Sacramento State is predicted to improve significantly before leaving the Big Sky after the 2026-27 season. These preseason polls reflect Boise State and Montana State's dominance and highlight shifting expectations among other conference contenders.