LAS VEGAS -- In 2009, the Mountain West Conference went 25-16 against nonconference opponents, sent five teams to bowls and had three teams ranked among the top 18 squads in the nation at the end of the season.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun thinks the league will be better in 2010.

"I think this year, from top to bottom, will be the strongest this league has been," he said earlier this week at the league`s media days.

Calhoun pointed to the number of returning starters -- eight teams return 12 or more offensive and defensive starters, including San Diego State and defending league champ TCU, which return 17 and 16, respectively. And, specifically, he noted the quality returning starting quarterbacks.

"I think there`s something about whenever you`ve got a guy that`s been underneath center and he`s coming back," Calhoun said.

Six of the nine MWC teams have returning starting quarterbacks, led by TCU`s Andy Dalton, the 2009 MWC Offensive Player of the Year and the 2010 MWC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Utah has sophomore Jordan Wynn, who took over as the Utes` starter in the second half of their eighth game, and then started their final five, facing TCU and BYU and cap-ping the season by winning Offensive Most Valuable Player honors in the Poinsettia Bowl. San Diego State returns junior Ryan Lindley, a two-year starter who passed for 3,054 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2009. Wyoming boasts sophomore Austyn Carta-Samuels, the 2009 MWC Freshman of the Year. UNLV has Omar Clayton. And Calhoun has Tim Jefferson, the 2008 MWC Freshman of the Year and a two-year starter.

"That`s always a big factor," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said of having an experienced signal-caller. "Our best seasons at Utah have come with an established starter in place. I think if you look at the past several years, I think that`s with most teams. It`s no guarantee that you`re going to have a great year if you have an established starter, but it`s a great starting point."

BYU hasn`t named a starting quarterback, but freshman Jake Heaps was considered the best prep signal caller in the nation in 2009 and is "extraordinarily talented," Calhoun said. And Colorado State and New Mexico both have highly touted freshmen.

In addition to returning players, Calhoun also mentioned that the league`s coaches are more established. Three programs had first-year coaches in 2009, but only one -- UNLV`s Bobby Hauck -- is new this year.

MWC MEDIA POLL

Team (first place votes) Pts

1. TCU (31) 279

2. Utah 242

3. BYU 207

4. Air Force 195

5. Wyoming 147

6. San Diego State 128

7. Colorado 96

8. UNLV 56

9. New Mexico 45