The Horned Frogs were originally set to become a member of the Big East Conference in the 2012 season.

[1] TCU repeated as conference champions going undefeated (12–0) during the regular season for the second consecutive year.

During the Mountain West media days on July 26–27 in Las Vegas, Boise State was picked as the overwhelming favorite to win the conference, garnering 28 of a possible 31 first place votes.

Air Force's Sr. KR Jonathan Warzeka was selected as the special teams player of the year.

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen was quoted that he thought the ban was, "ridiculous".

[17] NOTE: Stats shown are before the beginning of the season *first year as conference member, ^achieved as head coach of New Mexico from 99–08 The following Mountain West teams have been either ranked or received votes in the major polls during the 2011 season: All dates, times, and TV are tentative and subject to change.

Greg McCoy was also named the National Kickoff Returner of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.

Associate head coach and defensive coordinator George Barlow assumed the job on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.