1. Fresno State (8-1 in conference, 10-1 overall) - Offense: Injuries killed any production and momentum this Bulldog offense was able to muster last year, but that'll change with a fantastic group of running backs working behind a deep and experienced offensive line. If QB Paul Pinegar starts playing as well as he's expected to, the average receiving corps will all of a sudden shine.
Defense: The Bulldogs only allowed 22.6 points per game last year and now most of the key components come back. The one exception is at linebacker where several young, but athletic, reserves have to become reliable starters. It'll be a shock if the line doesn't combine for around 25 sacks while the secondary, led by safety James Sanders, should be outstanding. Depth isn't much of a problem anywhere.
2. Boise State (7-1, 9-2) - Offense: Only three starters return, but things will be fine as there are enough good players to keep the production rolling. While this doesn't appear to be the juggernaut of past seasons, it's still going to be one of the WAC's top offenses assuming Jared Zabransky or Mike Sanford shines at quarterback. The receiving corps doesn't have any name players, but it'll be very effective.
Defense: All the Boise State defense usually has to do is make a couple of stops and let the offense do the rest. This year, it'll stand out on its own with several good athletes and a few WAC superstars to build around. The linebacking corps is the best in the league, while the corners are strong. There could stand to be be more of a pass rush and the new tackles need to step in and prove they can handle the starting jobs.
Five Most Important Conference Games
1. Fresno St at Boise St, Oct. 23
2. Hawaii at Boise St, Oct. 30
3. Hawaii at Fresno St, Nov. 13
4. Fresno St at Rice, Nov. 6
5. Boise St at Nevada, Nov. 27
Team that will surprise
Rice
Team that will disappoint
Tulsa
Coach that must produce
Phil Bennett, SMU
Best head coach
Dan Hawkins, Boise State
The potentially huge WAC upset might be ... Hawaii at UTEP, Oct. 16
The potentially worst WAC game might be ... SMU at Fresno State, Oct. 30
Best player no one pays attention to ... UTEP LB Robert Rodriguez
3. Hawaii (6-2, 9-3) - Offense: Twelve starters return to a loaded attack that should be Hawaii's most explosive offense ever. QB Timmy Chang should easily get the 2,218 yards needed to become the NCAA's all-time passing leader with almost all his top receivers returning and an experienced line in front of him. The running game will be functional with three good backs, but it's all about the passing attack that should roll for around 4,500 yards.
Defense: Hawaii's defense wasn't exactly a rock last year allowing 30.5 points and 398 yards per game, and now it has to rebuild and find replacements for four first-team All-WAC stars. There are some good players to build around, like CB Abraham Elimimian and LB Ikaika Curnan, but this is going to be a year-long process to try and find the right pieces to fit.
4. Rice (5-3, 5-6) - Offense: After experimenting with some funky passing formations including use of the shotgun, Rice went back to the old triple option as the full-time offense halfway through the season and everything started to click. As long as QB Greg Henderson is healthy all will be fine with Thomas Lott leading a good corps of running backs operating behind an experienced offensive line.
Defense: The defense allowed 432 yards and 31.5 points per game last year, but the potential is there for a far better season as all the young freshmen of last year as experienced sophomores. The secondary isn't filled with star talent, but there's enough experience to hope for a big season. The line should be better with more size and DE John Syptak possibly turning into an All-WAC caliber player.
T5. Nevada (4-4, 6-6) - Offense: The offense should be interesting as head coach Chris Ault is installing an Air Wolf attack that'll have a one-back set while controlling the ball with the short to mid-range pass. The running game won't be forgotten about with RB Chance Kretschmer a workhorse to carry the attack. The only concern is on the line where there's no depth whatsoever.
Defense: This should be a case of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. There's no depth whatsoever and the loss of LB Logan Carter to a degenerative arthritis condition and the injury to safety Ekene Agwuenu isn't going to help. The defense will employ a new attacking style that'll use several players coming from all angles. This could be a work in progress all season long.
T5. Louisiana Tech (4-4, 5-7) - Offense: Louisiana Tech likes to throw the ball, but it can run as well and will do it often this year with Ryan Moats operating behind a huge, veteran offensive line. The key is to replace QB Luke McCown as four quarterbacks are battling for the job. The receiving corps needs to replace its top three receivers, but it should be fine with several good options.
Defense: After a horrible season allowing 32.8 points per game and a nation's worst 510.5 yards per game, things are changing up as new defensive coordinator Tim Rose has installed a 3-4 to get more overall production up front. The problem is that Rose comes from Eastern Michigan, which wasn't exactly a brick wall. There needs to be more of a pass rush and the secondary has to be far tighter, but eight starters return to provide the experience needed to make things better.
7. Tulsa (3-5, 5-7) - Offense: The offense should build on the great things it accomplished last year with eight returning starters led by QB James Kilian, two tremendous tight ends and a veteran line. There should be more consistency with good overall depth to go along with the returning experience.
Defense: The secondary, statistically, will have one of the better pass defenses in the nation with all five starters returning. However, the run defense has to be far better lacking a physical presence on the front six. As bad as things were last year at times, the D was still night-and-day better than it was in 2002. It should be better with nine starters coming back and decent all-around depth.
8. UTEP (2-6, 4-7) - Offense: A ton of experience returns for Mike Price and new offensive coordinator Eric Price to work with. While the skill players could surprise, they'll have a hard time operating behind an offensive line that has little to no depth and returns only two starters. This will be a three-wide attack that will make a quarterback a WAC star, and now the question is which one it'll be out of the three average candidates.
Defense: There was a bit of an improvement last year, but not enough to make all that much of an overall difference to the outcome. There's enough experience to ask for a dramatic turnaround in production, so this season will finally see if the talent is there and the coaching was a problem, or if this simply isn't a good group of defensive players. With enough depth at every position to rely on, injuries can't be an excuse.
9. SMU (1-7, 1-10) - Offense: The offense didn't work last year only averaging 11.2 points per game which was inexcusable considering how experienced the team was. Now there's even more experience, but there has to be more firepower. Sophomore QB Chris Phillips has the mobility to survive behind a porous offensive line and needs the young receiving corps to step up. The running backs are strong enough to keep things moving.
Defense: The defense didn't give up all that many yards but allowed 32.2 points per game. The lack of any support from the offense, and playing several very young players, hurt the overall production, but things will be better this year with 12 players with starting experience. There's size, speed and athleticism as this should be one of the WAC's best defenses.
10. San Jose State (0-8, 1-10) - Offense: Massive replacements are needed and there's a huge concern about the passing game. With Scott Rislov gone, it's a battle to take over with Dale Rogers getting the slight edge. Unfortunately he has little to work with losing last year's top six pass catchers. Help is on the way from the JUCO ranks to add pop at running back and receiver. Only one starter returns to the offensive line.
Defense: San Jose State will never have a killer defense, but things should be a little bit better if there's more of a pass rush and better play from the corners. Derrick Jones was a big-time pass rusher in the JUCO ranks and needs to shine right away to take the pressure off the secondary. The safeties are good helped by the return of Josh Powell.
Defense: The Bulldogs only allowed 22.6 points per game last year and now most of the key components come back. The one exception is at linebacker where several young, but athletic, reserves have to become reliable starters. It'll be a shock if the line doesn't combine for around 25 sacks while the secondary, led by safety James Sanders, should be outstanding. Depth isn't much of a problem anywhere.
2. Boise State (7-1, 9-2) - Offense: Only three starters return, but things will be fine as there are enough good players to keep the production rolling. While this doesn't appear to be the juggernaut of past seasons, it's still going to be one of the WAC's top offenses assuming Jared Zabransky or Mike Sanford shines at quarterback. The receiving corps doesn't have any name players, but it'll be very effective.
Defense: All the Boise State defense usually has to do is make a couple of stops and let the offense do the rest. This year, it'll stand out on its own with several good athletes and a few WAC superstars to build around. The linebacking corps is the best in the league, while the corners are strong. There could stand to be be more of a pass rush and the new tackles need to step in and prove they can handle the starting jobs.
Five Most Important Conference Games
1. Fresno St at Boise St, Oct. 23
2. Hawaii at Boise St, Oct. 30
3. Hawaii at Fresno St, Nov. 13
4. Fresno St at Rice, Nov. 6
5. Boise St at Nevada, Nov. 27
Team that will surprise
Rice
Team that will disappoint
Tulsa
Coach that must produce
Phil Bennett, SMU
Best head coach
Dan Hawkins, Boise State
The potentially huge WAC upset might be ... Hawaii at UTEP, Oct. 16
The potentially worst WAC game might be ... SMU at Fresno State, Oct. 30
Best player no one pays attention to ... UTEP LB Robert Rodriguez
3. Hawaii (6-2, 9-3) - Offense: Twelve starters return to a loaded attack that should be Hawaii's most explosive offense ever. QB Timmy Chang should easily get the 2,218 yards needed to become the NCAA's all-time passing leader with almost all his top receivers returning and an experienced line in front of him. The running game will be functional with three good backs, but it's all about the passing attack that should roll for around 4,500 yards.
Defense: Hawaii's defense wasn't exactly a rock last year allowing 30.5 points and 398 yards per game, and now it has to rebuild and find replacements for four first-team All-WAC stars. There are some good players to build around, like CB Abraham Elimimian and LB Ikaika Curnan, but this is going to be a year-long process to try and find the right pieces to fit.
4. Rice (5-3, 5-6) - Offense: After experimenting with some funky passing formations including use of the shotgun, Rice went back to the old triple option as the full-time offense halfway through the season and everything started to click. As long as QB Greg Henderson is healthy all will be fine with Thomas Lott leading a good corps of running backs operating behind an experienced offensive line.
Defense: The defense allowed 432 yards and 31.5 points per game last year, but the potential is there for a far better season as all the young freshmen of last year as experienced sophomores. The secondary isn't filled with star talent, but there's enough experience to hope for a big season. The line should be better with more size and DE John Syptak possibly turning into an All-WAC caliber player.
T5. Nevada (4-4, 6-6) - Offense: The offense should be interesting as head coach Chris Ault is installing an Air Wolf attack that'll have a one-back set while controlling the ball with the short to mid-range pass. The running game won't be forgotten about with RB Chance Kretschmer a workhorse to carry the attack. The only concern is on the line where there's no depth whatsoever.
Defense: This should be a case of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. There's no depth whatsoever and the loss of LB Logan Carter to a degenerative arthritis condition and the injury to safety Ekene Agwuenu isn't going to help. The defense will employ a new attacking style that'll use several players coming from all angles. This could be a work in progress all season long.
T5. Louisiana Tech (4-4, 5-7) - Offense: Louisiana Tech likes to throw the ball, but it can run as well and will do it often this year with Ryan Moats operating behind a huge, veteran offensive line. The key is to replace QB Luke McCown as four quarterbacks are battling for the job. The receiving corps needs to replace its top three receivers, but it should be fine with several good options.
Defense: After a horrible season allowing 32.8 points per game and a nation's worst 510.5 yards per game, things are changing up as new defensive coordinator Tim Rose has installed a 3-4 to get more overall production up front. The problem is that Rose comes from Eastern Michigan, which wasn't exactly a brick wall. There needs to be more of a pass rush and the secondary has to be far tighter, but eight starters return to provide the experience needed to make things better.
7. Tulsa (3-5, 5-7) - Offense: The offense should build on the great things it accomplished last year with eight returning starters led by QB James Kilian, two tremendous tight ends and a veteran line. There should be more consistency with good overall depth to go along with the returning experience.
Defense: The secondary, statistically, will have one of the better pass defenses in the nation with all five starters returning. However, the run defense has to be far better lacking a physical presence on the front six. As bad as things were last year at times, the D was still night-and-day better than it was in 2002. It should be better with nine starters coming back and decent all-around depth.
8. UTEP (2-6, 4-7) - Offense: A ton of experience returns for Mike Price and new offensive coordinator Eric Price to work with. While the skill players could surprise, they'll have a hard time operating behind an offensive line that has little to no depth and returns only two starters. This will be a three-wide attack that will make a quarterback a WAC star, and now the question is which one it'll be out of the three average candidates.
Defense: There was a bit of an improvement last year, but not enough to make all that much of an overall difference to the outcome. There's enough experience to ask for a dramatic turnaround in production, so this season will finally see if the talent is there and the coaching was a problem, or if this simply isn't a good group of defensive players. With enough depth at every position to rely on, injuries can't be an excuse.
9. SMU (1-7, 1-10) - Offense: The offense didn't work last year only averaging 11.2 points per game which was inexcusable considering how experienced the team was. Now there's even more experience, but there has to be more firepower. Sophomore QB Chris Phillips has the mobility to survive behind a porous offensive line and needs the young receiving corps to step up. The running backs are strong enough to keep things moving.
Defense: The defense didn't give up all that many yards but allowed 32.2 points per game. The lack of any support from the offense, and playing several very young players, hurt the overall production, but things will be better this year with 12 players with starting experience. There's size, speed and athleticism as this should be one of the WAC's best defenses.
10. San Jose State (0-8, 1-10) - Offense: Massive replacements are needed and there's a huge concern about the passing game. With Scott Rislov gone, it's a battle to take over with Dale Rogers getting the slight edge. Unfortunately he has little to work with losing last year's top six pass catchers. Help is on the way from the JUCO ranks to add pop at running back and receiver. Only one starter returns to the offensive line.
Defense: San Jose State will never have a killer defense, but things should be a little bit better if there's more of a pass rush and better play from the corners. Derrick Jones was a big-time pass rusher in the JUCO ranks and needs to shine right away to take the pressure off the secondary. The safeties are good helped by the return of Josh Powell.
