This is an unusual week for the Western Athletic Conference in that all of this week’s games will be played on the day set apart for football—Saturday.
The conference championship picture is looking to get a little clearer after this week. Right now there are three teams without a conference loss, and two of them are playing each other.
All WAC teams are playing in-conference this week, while San Jose State will enjoy its week off and spend the extra time preparing for next week’s showdown with Boise State.
Boise State @ Hawaii
Saturday, 11:05 pm ET
Boise State returns to conference play on Saturday after another 10-day break. How sweet would it be to come back from an extended break just to take a trip to Hawaii? Life sure is tough on these college athletes.
Boise State will be looking to avenge its last trip to the islands, where the Warriors beat them 39-27 in 2007 and took away the conference championship—the only time since 2002 the Broncos did not claim the conference crown.
The Warriors are fighting to return to their 2007 form, but have been plagued by injuries of late, namely quarterback Greg Alexander and receiver Rodney Bradley. They are trying to avoid their longest winless streak since 2000, but they will have to do that hosting their highest-ranked opponent since USC came in 2005.
Hawaii has become a rival of sorts for the Broncos, but unfortunately will not be able to put up much of a fight this year.
Boise State 38, Hawaii 6
Fresno State @ New Mexico State
Saturday, 10:15 pm ET
After Fresno State lost three hard-fought games to start the season, they have rolled in their last two, scoring more than 40 points in each. Ryan Mathews is still leading the charge for the Bulldogs, averaging more than a touchdown per game and had his second 200-yard rushing campaign last week against San Jose State.
New Mexico State, a perennial bottom dweller in the WAC, has won some games they weren’t expected to this year, but still is a long ways from where they want to be. They haven’t beaten Fresno State since joining the conference, but the last three games were decided by less than a touchdown.
If the Aggies had played them during their tough out-of-conference schedule, the Bulldogs just might have been on upset alert. But not this week. The Bulldogs are playing too well to have a letdown and will take care of business in Las Cruces.
Fresno State 42, New Mexico State 14
Idaho @ Nevada
Saturday, 4:05 pm ET
Idaho is now bowl-eligible after beating Hawaii last week in Moscow, but they will face their toughest test yet when they travel to Reno on Saturday.
Everybody knows about Nevada’s firepower on offense, but Idaho has some stars quietly emerging out from under the Kibbie Dome. Quarterback Nathan Enderle has been playing lights out (with the exception of the San Jose State game) and running back DeMaundray Woolridge has already rushed for 12 touchdowns this year.
Both Idaho and Nevada are unbeaten in conference, so if either of these teams wants to challenge Boise State for the conference title, this game is a must-win.
Nevada 35, Idaho 31
Louisiana Tech @ Utah State
Saturday, 3:00 pm ET
Utah State is no doubt disappointed with its 1-5 start, but there has yet to be a game where the outcome was decided before the final quarter, and both of its losses to conference opponents have come by three points.
They will stay home this week to host Louisiana Tech after Nevada beat them on the road last week, 35-32. The Bulldogs looked good in their wins over New Mexico State and Hawaii, but not so good when they played Nevada.
Utah State is ready to break out, and this time will be on the winning side of a close game.
Utah State 31, Louisiana Tech 28
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