LAS -- Defending their second-straight outright Mountain West Conference Championship, the 2008 BYU Cougars were selected to win the conference once again according to the MWC Media Poll released Monday. The Cougars received 29-of-34 first-place votes.
"I don't pay too much attention to the rankings," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "While it may provide motivation and an opportunity to ask more of the team, this won't change how we prepare for the season, nor will it change how we prepare for each individual game. If anyone has been paying attention to our program, we've tried to make it clear that our focus has to be on how we work, how we prepare."
BYU captured several positions on the 2008 All-MWC Preseason team, including junior quarterback Max Hall, who was named the favorite for 2008 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Joining Hall on the preseason team were wide receiver Austin Collie, offensive linemen Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds, tight end Dennis Pitta, running back Harvey Unga and defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen.
"Max has high goals," Mendenhall said. "The fact that the other coaches and the media recognize that he can be that type of player is not a surprise to me. Max has a long way to go, in terms of where we are now until the end of the season. He has a good idea of what he wants to accomplish and he has to remain focused on those goals."
Watch 's Thoughts on his Preseason Honors
Coming in second behind the Cougars was Utah with five first-place votes, followed by TCU, New Mexico, Wyoming, Air Force, San Diego State, Colorado State and UNLV.
Preparation will begin for the upcoming season when BYU players report to fall camp on Aug. 1. The 2008 season will kick off when the Cougars host Northern Iowa on Aug. 30.