The Western Athletic Conference lives up to its reputation as a high-scoring, high-flying league. The members are different from a previous incarnation, but the play is the same. This league gave us Boise State, who we last saw in the end zone celebrating a BCS bowl win over Oklahoma. It is also the home of giant-killers such as Fresno State and Hawaii. This league doesn't have the TV drawing power of the Pac-10, but plays some pretty good football at the top of its ranks.
Last year was the year of the Bronco, as Boise State capped an undefeated season with an entertaining 43-42 win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. This year's Broncos will be pretty good, but will be hard pressed to repeat with an undefeated season. For one, they have to go to Hawaii, where the Warriors are loaded and prepared for a possible undefeated season of their own.
Hawaii is the toughest road trip in all of college football. Not only is it a long trip for one football game, but there are many distractions for visitors to the islands. Worst of all, for opponents, the Hawaii Warriors are a very good football team. With QB Colt Brennan in charge, this could be the best Hawaii team ever. I'm on the bandwagon, as I expect Hawaii to go undefeated, and to be in the mix for a BCS bowl bid. This team is so good, big-time schools no longer wish to go to the islands, as they run the strong risk of coming back with a big L. Hence, the appearance of Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern on the schedule. Kudos to Washington for keeping their date with Hawaii in the islands.
Fresno State stands to be pretty good, as well. Once again, they'll play anyone, any time, anywhere, and have trips scheduled to Texas A&M and Oregon. I have them losing those games, but they won't be blowouts at all. Their only conference loss will be to Hawaii.
This conference is weak at the bottom. Idaho, Utah State, and Louisiana Tech should be competitive against each other, and not many other teams.
The middle of this conference is improving. Nevada looks to slip back to the middle of the pack, but has been pretty good in recent years. San Jose State is coming off a win in the New Mexico Bowl. New Mexico State is improving under coach Hal Mumme.
Projected WAC Standings:
Hawaii 12-0 8-0
Fresno State 9-3 7-1
Boise State 10-2 6-2
San Jose State 6-6 5-3
New Mexico State 6-7 4-4
Nevada 5-7 3-5
Idaho 2-10 2-6
Utah State 1-11 1-7
Louisiana Tech 1-11 0-8
3 comments:
Go Hawaii! This is not the push over conference it used to be with UH, Boise, and Fresno kickin' bootay lately.
I'm all over this. Phil Steele has Hawaii going 12-0, and I can't argue with it.
I want to see the greatness of June Jones in a BCS bowl.
I feel sorry for Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern. Hawaii has a chance to score 100 on either of those teams. I hope they're getting paid well to go to the islands.
Paid to go to the islands? Going to the islands should be payment enough! ;) lol
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