WAC Previews

Boise State. Behind quarterback Kellen Moore and cornerback Kyle Wilson, Boise State is the overwhelming favorite to win yet another WAC championship. As Coach Chris Petersen opens his fourth season with the Broncos with a 35-4 career record (.897 winning percentage), he could actually improve on his career winning percentage in 2009, as the Broncos should be favored in every game. Boise State's schedule sets up well for a run at an undefeated season. The Broncos' toughest game should be the season opener at home against Oregon. Boise State should be heavily favored in road trips against Fresno State, Tulsa, Hawaii, Bowling Green, and Utah State, before playing its toughest road game on a Friday night at Louisiana Tech Nov. 6.

LAST YEAR: 12-1 (8-0 in WAC, 1st), BOWL GAME: Poinsettia Bowl, lost to TCU, 17-16, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 8-3-1, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: N/A, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 4-1

Fresno State. Coach Pat Hill enters his 13th season at Fresno State with the most uncertainty he's had in quite a few years. Hill has led Fresno State to nine bowl games, and he has given the Bulldogs national respect. However, after a very disappointing 2008 season, which opened with BCS bowl hopes and ended at 7-6, Hill is under scrutiny from Bulldog fans. Adding insult to injury, Boise State hammered Fresno State, 61-10, in 2008. Still, Fresno State lost four other games by a total of 14 points, so there is hope. Nine starters return on defense for Fresno State, which must improve against the run. Fresno State will play its typical tough non-conference schedule, making road trips to Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and Illinois.

LAST YEAR: 7-6 (4-4 in WAC, tie-5th), BOWL GAME: New Mexico Bowl, lost to Colorado State, 40-35, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 2-11, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 0-2, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-4

Hawaii. What a difference a year makes. In 2007, Hawaii was the talk of college football, completing an undefeated regular season with a berth in the Sugar Bowl. In 2008, the Warriors lost Coach June Jones to SMU and finished 7-7 under new Coach Greg McMackin. However, the Warriors did manage to tie for second place in the WAC, despite severe personnel losses from the powerful 2007 team, including quarterback Colt Brennan. Quarterback Greg Alexander returns in 2009 for Hawaii, but the Warriors have an unsettled defense. Hawaii does play Boise State, Fresno State, Navy, and Wisconsin at home.

LAST YEAR: 7-7 (5-3 in WAC, tie-2nd), BOWL GAME: Hawaii Bowl, lost to Notre Dame, 49-21, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 7-6, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 2-0, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-1

Idaho. 2008 was a long 2-10 season for Idaho, and the Vandals don't appear to be in for a sudden improvement this season. Idaho allowed at least 42 points in nine of its 12 games, and the Vandals ranked 117th nationally in scoring defense at 42.8 points per game. Almost as disheartening, Idaho scored more than 20 points only four times. Coach Robb Akey has won only three times in his first two seasons at Idaho, although a 20-14 victory against New Mexico State last season snapped a 22-game losing streak for the Vandals against Division I-A teams.

LAST YEAR: 2-10 (1-7 in WAC, tie-8th), BOWL GAME: None, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 4-7, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 3-2, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: N/A

Louisiana Tech. With the improvements Louisiana Tech has made in Coach Derek Dooley's first two seasons, the Bulldogs are looking to take another big step forward in 2009, which would include challenging Boise State for the WAC championship. Louisiana Tech improved from three wins to five in Dooley's first season in 2007. The Bulldogs then won eight games and a bowl game in 2008. Running back Daniel Porter returns for Louisiana Tech after he finished second in the WAC in rushing last season. The Bulldog defense ranked 13th nationally against the run last season. Boise State travels to Louisiana Tech Nov. 6 for a Friday night game.

LAST YEAR: 8-5 (5-3 in WAC, tie-2nd), BOWL GAME: Independence Bowl, def. Northern Illinois, 17-10, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 6-6, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 3-0, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 0-1

Nevada. The Wolfpack gave Boise State one of its biggest scares of the regular season in 2008, losing 41-34 in Reno. As Nevada looks for a fifth straight bowl berth under long-time Coach Chris Ault, the Wolf Pack will rely on quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a strong runner. With Luke Lippincott back from injury at running back to team with last year's leading WAC rusher, Vai Taua, Nevada should have one of the strongest rushing attacks, not only in the WAC, but also in the country. Nevada needs significant improvement on defense to challenge for the WAC title, however, after allowing 31 or more points seven times. Nevada's September schedule is challenging, with road trips to Notre Dame and Colorado State, along with a home game against Missouri.

LAST YEAR: 7-6 (5-3 in WAC, tie-2nd), BOWL GAME: Humanitarian Bowl, lost to Maryland, 42-35, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 5-7, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 0-2, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 2-2

New Mexico State. The Hal Mumme "Air Raid" experiment is over at New Mexico State, as he was fired after a dismal last-place finish in the WAC and seven straight losses to end the 2008 season. New Coach DeWayne Walker brings a defensive mindset to the Aggies, and New Mexico State returns several key defensive players. However, the Aggies lost several offensive players who helped the team rank 10th nationally in passing offense last season, including graduated quarterback Chase Holbrook. New Mexico State had better start fast, with three home games to open the season, because it has only three home games after Sept. 19.

LAST YEAR: 3-9 (1-7 in WAC, tie-8th), BOWL GAME: None, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 4-7, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 1-4, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 0-1

San Jose State. The Spartens have shown a lot of improvement under fifth-year Coach Dick Tomey, but it still hasn't resulted in an end to the Spartans' long bowl drought. Three straight blowout losses to end last season cost the Spartans a shot at a bowl. Quarterback Kyle Reed appears to be healthy this season, and receiver Kevin Jurovich returns after missing last season, giving San Jose State's offense a much needed boost. Under Tomey's guidance San Jose State's defense should remain strong. However, the schedule is brutal, with road trips scheduled at USC, Stanford, Fresno State, Boise State, and Louisiana Tech.

LAST YEAR: 6-6 (4-4 in WAC, tie-5th), BOWL GAME: None, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 5-6, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 0-2, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: 1-1

Utah State. The Aggies haven't won more than three games in a season since 2002, so the Aggies have turned to yet another head coach, Gary Andersen. Andersen is familiar with the area, having spent time as a Utah assistant coach. Utah State showed a few signs of life last season, including a 47-2 win against New Mexico State to end the season, but, overall, the Aggies had one of the worst offenses and defenses in the WAC last season. Andersen has had at least 15 players switch positions in an effort to jumpstart the 2009 season for the Aggies, who have never finished higher than sixth in the WAC. Four of Utah State's first five games are on the road.

LAST YEAR: 3-9 (3-5 in WAC, 7th), BOWL GAME: None, 2008 VS. SPREAD: 7-4-1, 2008 HOME UNDERDOG VS. SPREAD: 3-1, 2008 ROAD FAVORITE VS. SPREAD: N/A

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