LAS VEGAS — The only helmets and uniforms present were for display purposes only, but Wednesday marked the public debut of the new-look Mountain West.

The conference — minus the five departing programs and plus the three newcomers — hosted its football media days at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Four players represented each of the conference’s 10 teams Wednesday, with coaches set to appear Thursday.

For the players in attendance, perspectives on the changes to conference varied. As of July 1, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State are no longer part of the Mountain West. Entering the mix are North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and UTEP.

“I think it’s different,” New Mexico quarterback Jack Layne said. “I think it definitely feels like a new league.”

Nevada’s Dylan Labarbera had a different take.

“It’s not too different, you know?” said the edge rusher who made 17 tackles for loss last season. “I think it’s another football season, another chance to win a championship.”

For the incoming programs, the excitement was generally high.

UTEP linebacker Jayden Wilson said the team danced in celebration on the Mountain West logo when they first saw it painted on the field.

Northern Illinois running back Jay’Shon Thomas was careful not to talk up the move too enthusiastically out of fear of denigrating the Mid-American Conference that the Huskies are departing. But he did note an “enthusiasm and excitement” over the move.

Players from North Dakota State, an FCS power that is moving up to FBS this year, had no reservations in expressing their excitement.

“We want to be the best of the best,” Bison safety Darious Givance said. “We want to play the best of the best, and we want to play on the biggest stages possible.”

Added NDSU quarterback Nathan Hayes: “We didn’t come to the Mountain West to just scrape by, win a few games. We came to compete, we came to win the conference and compete in the College Football Playoffs.”

Change has arrived, whether the opinion is that of Wyoming’s Ethan Stuhlsatz (“Football’s football and I don’t really care who I line up against as long as we get to play.”) or that of his teammate Jayden Williams (“It feels brand new.”)

Air Force sees advantages because of its unique style that will be new to three teams on its conference schedule. UNLV, which has suffered five of its 11 losses in the past three seasons to Boise State, sees an opportunity to dominate.

The league opted not to conduct an official preseason poll, not wanting to put any teams in a bad light prior to the start of play. So, who is the team to beat? Depends who you ask. The general consensus seems to be that the league is wide open.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the momentum and the energy behind the new era for the Mountain West,” Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said.