2010 WAC Power Rankings

9)    New Mexico State Aggies: Head Coach—DeWayne Walker (Second 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 New Mexico State Aggies issued a statement as to how bad they want to win by signing former Fullerton Junior College running back Kenny Turner, whose previous run-ins with the law landed him in prison before going to Fullerton.  Yes it sounds eerily similar to a carbon copy of the fictional story of Wild Thing Ricky Vaughn pairing with the Cleveland Indians, but you can’t make up stories like this and be serious.  Honestly, I’m anxious to get a glimpse of the talent Mr. Turner hauls 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 adding Turner on the offensive end, the quarterback situation has yet to be molded into anything concrete.

 

 

 

8)    San Jose State Spartans: Head Coach—Mike MacIntyre (First season)

Schedule:

@ No. 1 Alabama  

@ No. 12 Wisconsin

vs. Southern Utah

@Utah

vs. UC Davis

@Nevada

vs. No. 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, head coach Mike MacIntyre believes 11 players to be two-way ironmen while quarterback Jordan La Secla grants the Spartans their only sense of stability in an adversely 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 (First 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 system of the run and gun pass attack.  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 2,000 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 (Second season)

Schedule:

vs. No. 14 USC  

@Army  

@Colorado  

vs. Charleston Southern

vs. Louisiana Tech  

@Fresno State  

vs. Nevada  

@Utah State

vs. Idaho  

@ No. 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, Third in the nation) and his primary target Greg Salas (122 ypg, Fourth 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 (Second season)

Schedule:

@ No. 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. No. 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 to spot 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 (Second season)

Schedule:

vs. North Dakota

@ No. 8 Nebraska

vs. UNLV

@Colorado State

@Western Michigan

@Louisiana Tech

vs. New Mexico State

@Hawaii

vs. Nevada

 vs. No. 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 No. 8 Nebraska before heading back home to face the Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV.  Quarterback Nathan Enderle along with six wideouts 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 looks to weigh heavily on his quarterback Colin Kaepernick to coordinate the troops on the offensive end posing a duel threat both through the air and 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

@ No. 5 Boise State

vs. Idaho

vs. Illinois

 

The Bulldogs lost their entire backfield and now Pat Hill wants to possibly 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 easily 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 (Fifth season)

Schedule:

@ No. 6 Virginia Tech

@Wyoming

vs. No. 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 No. 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 made the statement 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-threatening 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.