Rebels picked to finish fourth in West Division

UNLV comes off its first bowl appearance in 13 years, but the Rebels are facing skepticism that they can reach the postseason again this season.

They were picked to finish fourth in the six-team West Division, it was announced Tuesday at Mountain West media days at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The conference media did choose three Rebels for the preseason all-league team — senior wide receiver Devante Davis and senior offensive linemen Brett Boyko and Robert Waterman.

No other team had more than two offensive players make the team. Also, this was the highest number of UNLV players to be selected since 2006.

The Rebels, who went 7-6 last season and played in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, open their season Aug. 29 at Arizona.

Fresno State was tabbed the favorite to win the West Division, receiving 15 first-place votes and 174 points. That edged San Diego State, which also received 15 first-place votes and 172 points. No. 3 UNR received the other three first-place votes and had 130 points.

Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division, receiving 20 first-place votes and 183 points. Utah State (12 first-place votes, 176 points) was second, and Colorado State (one, 135) was third.

The major preseason awards went to Utah State senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton for Offensive Player of the Year, Fresno State senior defensive back Derron Smith for Defensive Player of the Year, and New Mexico junior kick returner Carlos Wiggins for Special Teams Player of the Year.

■ EVERYBODY DOES IT — Big 12 Conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby created a stir Monday by saying cheating is too rampant for the NCAA to keep up.

“Enforcement is broken,” he said. “The infractions committee hasn’t had (a Football Bowl Subdivision) hearing in almost a year, and I think it’s not an understatement to say cheating pays presently. If you seek to conspire to certainly bend the rules, you can do it successfully and probably not get caught in most occasions.”

Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson made a similar statement three years ago.

“Bob hit it right on the head,” Thompson said Tuesday. “Without subpoena power, you’re going into these things with one hand, if not both hands, tied behind your back.”

■ MANNING UP — After helping lead Colorado State to its best season in 12 years, senior quarterback Garrett Grayson is back to build on that success.

As part of his preparation, he attended the Manning Passing Academy from July 10 to 13 in Thibodaux, La., and got to learn from Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning.

“Peyton’s been my favorite quarterback since before I even knew how to play football,” Grayson said. “You always hear he’s a perfectionist, so to be in his presence and to see how he approaches every little drill ... it was fun to see the best go to work.”

Grayson completed 62.1 percent of his passes last season for 3,696 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he will have to produce at least similar numbers without running back Kapri Bibbs. After rushing for 1,741 yards and 31 touchdowns, Bibbs declared early for the NFL and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos.

“There were many times when I handed him the ball and started running to the sideline because he was gone,” Grayson said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge this year. Obviously, we have some doubters because of the people we lost.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.