2007 WAC Preview

The WAC is not what it once was. A superconference in the true sense, 16 teams once made this league up, but oh how the mighty have fallen. Now, the WAC got a kickstart thanks to Boise St upsetting Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, giving the midmajors some rallying cry. This is not a bad conference as a whole, and may feature another BCS Bound school.


Who's New

Derek Dooley-Louisiana Tech
Robb Akey-Idaho

Who's on the Hot Seat

Hal Mumme-New Mexico St
Brent Guy-Utah St

9. Utah St Aggies. The bad news is, you can't get any lower than the Aggies. But you can lose your job, which Brent Guy may have to face this season. The Aggies have no direction on offense, and thier best QB should not be playing the position. The O-line is really not that bad, but without the skill players, this offense is pathetic. Defense may be the only saving grace on the next to next to last ranked team in college football.

8. Idaho Vandals. Dennis Ericsson was to breath life back to the Vandal program. After only 1 season, he bolted for the Pac 10 and Arizona St. Now, it's a new man to run the nightmare, i mean show for the Vandals. The defense is right up the alley for Robb Akey, and will be the strength of the team, as well as a strong kicking game. If the Vandals find a QB, they might exceed expectations, but do not have it in them to make a run at the WAC in 07

7. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Derek Dooley has the pedigree to be a football coach. Son of legendary Georgia Head Coach Vince Dooley, Derek has cut his teeth with LSU and the Miami Dolphins. A great hire for a program that used to scare the big timers. Dooley has his hands full in year one, a brutal non conference schedule. But there is optimism, the defense returns 10 starters, and you get Zac Champion back at QB, and WR Josh Wheeler on offense. But don't expect much in 2007.

6. New Mexico St Aggies. Hal Mumme left SLU after resurrecting that program, and made a laughingstock of himself for what happened off field. Having settled with 2 former players, Mumme came under fire for accusing them of being terrorists, since they were Muslims. But now the past is behind them, and the future is now. Chase Holbrook is the returning QB, and was the second best in the country. The Defense should be alright-but you have to stop someone. A 4 win season at best, but Mumme stays on b/c they will be competitive.

5. Nevada Wolfpack. If you have never seen the Wolfpack play, do your self a favor and see them. They run the most unique offense in College Football in the "Pistol". The QB is in the shotgun, about 5 yds deep, and the TB is 9 yds deep. But Jeff Rowe is the departed QB, and a new "Trigger" is needed. The defense is solid, but the lack of help on offense means the Wolfpack may be home in December.

4. Fresno St Bulldogs. Pat Hill had a nightmare in 2006. Having a hellish non conference schedule did not help, but to their credit, they did not back down. The offense revolves on the success of the QB, and Pat Hill hopes that Tom Brandstander can deliver, he certainly has the physical tools to do so. It is not to bad, but expect Pat Hill to get off the hot seat-for this year anyway.

3. Boise St Broncos. 2006 is over, and the Broncos wish it were not. While the most talented team in the WAC, repeating will be difficult, but if they start off hot-look out. Ian Johnson the darling of the Fiesta Bowl is back at RB, and should be productive again. But that is about it for the offense which must find a new QB, and all other WR's. On defense, the Broncos are strong, but need people to step up. Dreamland is over for Chris Peterson-who should lose his first game in 2007 as head coach

2. San Jose St Spartans. Dick Tomey wins with Defense and a strong ground game. Any takers on what the Spartans have returning in 2007? The other surprise of the WAC last year, the Spartans have enough plyers returning on both sides to go bowl bound yet again. If they can break even the 1st 4 games (all on the road), they might pull off one helluva year. On offense the Spartans return workhorse Yonus Davis at TB, but have questions at WR. Not bad for a job many thought to be unwinnable.

1. Hawaii Warriors. For June Jones Recruiting class of 2007-count QB Colt Brennan among them. The leading passer in college football last year, Brennan's return made Warrior fans the world over smile. Now they can get to business. Despite O-line ?'s, the Warriors explosive offense should drive the WAC wild, ala Boise St last yeat. Defense may be the best part, and aid the Warriors to a WAC title-8 starters return, and that is very good news indeed. Expect to actually play a bowl game out of Hawaii for a change.