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Las Vegas Another media day has come and gone for the Aggies, who were picked to finish second in the Mountain Division behind Boise State.

However, judging by what coach Matt Wells, linebacker Kyler Fackrell and quarterback Chuckie Keeton said, the Aggies aren't really seeing themselves as underdogs.

Wells pointed out the championship always seems to go through Boise State and he likes to play things close, as most coaches do, but it's obvious he likes the talent on his team.

The Aggies have Keeton back, who, by all accounts, is stronger and more prepared to resume his role as the Aggies' leader on the field as well as off.

Keeton has worked hard in the weight room with the hopes of making himself more durable, he said.

He has added about eight pounds of muscle to weigh in at 210.

"I feel better than I have since I've been here," he said. "I feel like I've finally grown into my body."

Also feeling good is Fackrell, who said he feels 100 percent, but won't know until he gets on the field against an opponent.

"It has been a long time," he said. "I'm ready to get out there."

Receivers Hunter Sharp and Devonte Robinson are logically the guys to watch among the receivers, but Wells is just as excited about having Brandon Swindall back after he missed all but two games with a torn Achilles tendon.

Wells talked at length about Swindall's blocking abilities, noting he brings a lot more to the game than just having good hands.

All in all, the Aggies are ready to challenge for top honors, Fackrell said.

"It's important to me we have a good year," he said. "I want to leave with a team that has a lot of wins in the Mountain West."

Chemistry-wise, the Aggies are as solid as ever, particularly after the car accident that has put the season in jeopardy for defender Travis Seefeldt. Wells got emotional talking about the situation, saying he admired how the team once again came together as a unit.

He also mentioned one of the first coaches he heard from was Utah's Kyle Whittingham.

"That shows what kind of person he is," Wells said.

Seeing how the backup quarterbacks perform in camp will be on the long list of to-dos, Wells said, particularly after Darell Garretson decided to leave the program and transfer to Oregon State.

He was expected to compete with Kent Myers for the No. 2 spot.

Wells said he tried to talk Garretson out of transferring.

"He is a good player," he said. "You always want good players in your program."

Other MWC thoughts

• There are some thoughts that Hawaii's football program could be in danger, but both Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson and Norm Chow are among those who believe the program will prevail. Both believed football was simply too big for the school to eliminate the program.

Thompson said he didn't lose sleep over the thought, pointing out the program has existed since 1909, while Chow shrugged off concerns.

"It's the only game in town," Chow said.

• So far, the Aggies have five games scheduled to start at 7 p.m. or later in 2015 and three games on Fridays and one on Thursday.

Wells doesn't like the nontraditional days or start times, but said he knew it was necessary for TV, a sentiment that was reiterated by other coaches.

However, Thompson said he doesn't expect the late scheduling to change.

"It's something we have to do for TV," he said.

• In discussing the cost of attendance, Thompson said on Tuesday that New Mexico was not offering it. However, he corrected himself on Wednesday, saying the program is doing so in football, meaning the two Nevada schools — UNLV and Nevada — are the only ones not doing so for football, while Air Force is considered an exception since it is a service academy.

Wells said meeting the cost of attendance was vital for programs.

"You have to play that game," he said.

—Lya Wodraska

Twitter: @lyawodraska