2010 WAC Power Rankings
9) New Mexico State Aggies: Head Coach- DeWayne Walker (2nd season)
Schedule:
vs. San Diego State
@UTEP
@Kansas
vs. Boise State
vs. New Mexico
@Fresno State
@Idaho
vs. San Jose State
@Utah State
vs. Louisiana Tech
@Nevada
vs. Hawaii
The signing of former Fullerton Junior College running back Kenny Turner is a statement as to how badly the New Mexico State Aggies want to win. Turner, whose run-ins with the law landed him in prison before his stint at Fullerton, is to the Aggies what Wild Thing Ricky Vaughn was to the Cleveland Indians in Major League. Honestly, I’m anxious to get a glimpse of the talent Mr. Turner brings to the field. This could very well be the best story in college football in terms of one individual turning their life around for the better. Even with the addition of Turner on the offensive end, the quarterback situation has yet to be molded into anything concrete.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
8) San Jose State Spartans: Head Coach- Mike MacIntyre (1st season)
Schedule:
@ #1 Alabama
@ #12 Wisconsin
vs. Southern Utah
@Utah
vs. UC Davis
@Nevada
vs. #5 Boise State
vs. Fresno State
@New Mexico State
vs. Utah State
@Hawaii
vs. Louisiana Tech
@Idaho
If there is any indication of what this season has in store for the San Jose State Spartans, it's head coach Mike MacIntyre's belief that 11 players can be two-way ironmen, while quarterback Jordan La Secla grants the Spartans their only sense of stability in a debilitated offense. Problems on defense stem from one factor…no depth at all. The 2010 season will be a trial by fire audition and more of a precautionary diary for next year.
7) Louisiana Tech: Head Coach- Sonny Dykes (1st season)
Schedule:
vs. Grambling State
@Texas A&M
vs. Navy
vs. Southern Mississippi
@Hawaii
vs. Utah State
vs. Idaho
@Boise State
vs. Fresno State
@New Mexico State
@San Jose State
vs. Nevada
Fresh out of Arizona, new head coach Sonny Dykes plans to implement the Mike Leach run and gun pass attack on offense. With Derek Dooley leaving for Tennessee, the challenge is converting the players built around a straight-forward running game exclusively to the passing style. Though not set in concrete, Ross Jenkins looks to be the forerunner to start at quarterback for the Bulldogs. The run-stop defensively was atrocious last season, giving up nearly 2000 yards. Still, the Bulldogs have the ability to stir up a little misfortune along the way for other conference foes.
6) Hawaii Warriors: Head Coach- Greg McMackin (2nd season)
Schedule:
vs. #14 USC
@Army
@Colorado
vs. Charleston Southern
vs. Louisiana Tech
@Fresno State
vs. Nevada
@Utah State
vs. Idaho
@ #5 Boise State
vs. San Jose State
@New Mexico State
vs. UNLV
Right away, the Warriors have to be feeling a little adrenaline pumping through their veins knowing the USC Trojans are coming to town to kick off the season. Offensively, Hawaii’s pass attack already has high expectations led by junior quarterback Bryant Moniz (337 ypg, 3rd in the nation) and his primary target Greg Salas (122 ypg, 4th in the nation). Similar the Colt Brennan era, Hawaii’s offense will keep them in games, but only if they can shore up the gaps in the offensive line (only one returning starter on the OL). Seven Warriors return on the defensive end hoping to provide some cushion for the offense.
5) Utah State Aggies: Head Coach- Gary Andersen (2nd season)
Schedule:
@ #7 Oklahoma
vs. Idaho State
vs. Fresno State
@San Diego State
vs. BYU
@Louisiana Tech
vs. Hawaii
@Nevada
vs. New Mexico State
@San Jose State
vs. Idaho
vs. #5 Boise State
@Louisiana Tech
Utah State’s defense last year didn’t have leg to stand on due to lack of depth at all positions. But this year the defense has the capability of providing their offense some security. Look for senior quarterback Diondre Borel to carry the offensive load on his back, as he is expected to be a standout quarterback in the WAC. Coach Andersen wishes to see his Aggies become a better model of consistency instead of performing their magical disappearing act.
4) Idaho Vandals: Head Coach- Robb Akey (2nd season)
Schedule:
vs. North Dakota
@ #8 Nebraska
vs. UNLV
@Colorado State
@Western Michigan
@Louisiana Tech
vs. New Mexico State
@Hawaii
vs. Nevada
vs. #5 Boise State
@Utah State
@Fresno State
vs. San Jose State
First things first. Following week one, the Vandals will have no choice but to pack a decently supplemented lunch when they travel to Big 12 North favorite #8 Nebraska before heading back home to face the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV. Quarterback Nathan Enderle along with six wide outs and a hefty backfield might be enough keep their heads above water as well playing the spoiler in the WAC. Beware all who enter the Kibbie Dome as this enclosed facility treated the Vandals like kings under coach Akey.
3) Nevada Wolf Pack: Head Coach- Chris Ault (26th season)
Schedule:
vs. Eastern Washington
vs. Colorado State
vs. California
@BYU
@UNLV
vs. San Jose State
@Hawaii
vs. Utah State
@Idaho
@Fresno State
vs. New Mexico State
Head coach Chris Ault will rely on quarterback Colin Kaepernick to coordinate the troops on the offensive end, posing a duel threat both through the air and with his mobility in and out of the pocket. Defense is the main question mark for the Wolf Pack and it’s not necessarily because of losing players from the previous season as much as it was maintaining the defensive intensity for four quarters.
2) Fresno State Bulldogs: Head Coach- Pat Hill (13th season)
Schedule:
vs. Cincinnati
@Utah State
@Mississippi State
vs. Cal Poly
vs. Hawaii
vs. New Mexico State
@San Jose State
@Louisiana Tech
vs. Nevada
@ #5 Boise State
vs. Idaho
vs. Illinois
The Bulldogs lost their entire backfield and now Pat Hill possibly wants to add a few different formations along with an expanded wide receiver crew. On the other hand, Hill has to be extremely excited about his defense, including the returning front seven, so he will lean on that experience to compete for the WAC title. However, Pat Hill is no stranger to a strong passing game; remember when David Carr played under center? Losing running back Ryan Matthews to the NFL won’t discourage Hill from pressuring the opponent’s defense. Fresno’s schedule favors them to sneak up on the Boise State Broncos, but they have to travel to Bronco Stadium to get through them.
1) Boise State Broncos: Head Coach- Chris Petersen (5th season)
Schedule:
@ #6 Virginia Tech
@Wyoming
vs. #24 Oregon State
@New Mexico State
vs. Toledo
@San Jose State
vs. Louisiana Tech
vs. Hawaii
@Idaho
vs. Fresno State
@Nevada
vs. Utah State
Not a colossal shock in the #1 spot in the WAC, Chris Petersen’s Boise State Broncos are by far the most complete team on both sides of the ball. Led by junior quarterback Kellen Moore orchestrating an offense averaging slightly over 42 points per game, the Broncos four year run under Petersen has shown that they do belong in the BCS conversation. Boise’s sure-handed wide receiving core eases the pressure on Moore’s pinpoint accuracy. The backfield is the topping on the offensive cake, containing a trio of multi-threat running backs. Rest assure the Broncos aren’t the only ones eager for the Virginia Tech game, but the eyes of the entire nation will be tuning in to see the most intriguing game of college football’s opening week.
Boise State University sits in the driver’s seat controlling their own destiny as they try and earn a bid to play for the BCS National Championship Game…if they can run the table. Remember assuming they win their first three games, conference play under any circumstances offers no sure bet.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
