2009 WAC Preview

I consider this a BCS Conference, so I will treat it as such. I will profile the player to watch this year, as well as my commentary on each team. The WAC used to be called the WACky conference in the 80's when most of the current Mountain West was in it, and the scores were usually 41-38. That is no longer the case, as this conference can hold up to the other BCS schools. While 8th out of my BCS Conferences, this is not a pushover by any stretch.



1. Boise St.-The Broncos under Chris Petersen have won more games in the last 3 years than USC, LSU, and Florida. Despite returning 11 starters (6 on Offense), this team has the best upside with a lot of name recognition across the country. Going 12-0 last year got them the Poinsettia Bowl and a 17-16 loss to TCU last year, but if they can pull it off this year, Tempe is calling once again.
Player to watch: QB Kellen Moore

2. Louisiana Tech-The Bulldogs under Derek Dooley improved by leaps and bounds to tie for 2nd last year. The good news is that the bulk of starters are back (16-9 on Offense) but the bad news is road games at Nevada. But with Boise coming to Ruston, an upset is not unlikely, and neither is one at Auburn to start the season.
Player to watch: WR Phillip Livas

3. Nevada-Don't turn your back on the Wolfpack. They lead the conference in rushing, and balance out with 7 starters back ono each side. This teams strenghts are in the trenches, and if games come to that, Nevada will win this conference outright. But wrapping it up on Smurf turf later in the year isn't the best way to close things out.
Player to watch: RB Vai Taua

4. Fresno St-Pat Hill wishes it were 2001 again. He had the Bulldogs on cloud 9, a good College QB and upsets galore. Now, things are tough at Fresno, but he has a safe cushion in the Valley. The good news is that 15 starers are back (8 on Defense), but with a new QB to break in, there are a lot of questions as Fresno looks to get back in the WAC hunt.
Player to watch: G Andrew Jackson

5. San Jose St-The Spartans have had a lot of success under Dick Tomey, who made Arizona a PAC 10 power with their Desert Swarm Defense. Now with his "Dine in Hell" defense (I made up the name) he has them on the right track. The numbers are fovorable (15 starters, 8 on Offense) but the road games hurt-Boise St, Fresno St and La. Tech are conference roadies. The big one is the killer-USC is not very forgiving espiecially if it's your opener. Ouch.
Player to watch: QB Kyle Reed

6. Utah St-The Aggies welcome a rival coach as their new head man as Gary Andersen left the Utes of Utah to try and revive a program that hasn't had success in 12 years. There is a lot of experienced starters returning but for a 1st year coach that is meaningless as he implements his system. The good news is that he inherits a better program than his predecessor inherited, so there could be an upswing. Armed with an experienced college staff, the future is bright-in 2010.
Player to watch: QB Diondre Borel

7. Hawaii-June Jones and Jerry Glanville left here, and the Warriors struggled. Guess what looks the same this year? Hawaii fans will miss the days of Chang and Brennan, but for a defensive coach like HC Greg McMackin to have only 2 starters back on defense he must be losing sleep. At least they play in the most beautiful place in the US, even if they are a few hours back of the Pacific Time Zone. Trust me, I am being generous with this pick.
Player to watch: QB Greg Alexander

8. Idaho-Not the potatoes, but the Vandals. Yet potatoes may have been better to put in at times. The Vandals coach Rob Akey replaced Dennis Ericson, and has 3 wins in 2 years. I don't think he will finish the season but the schedule is a help-La Tech, Hawaii and Fresno come to Moscow this year.
Player to watch: DE Aaron Lavalais

9. New Mexico St-Is being an Aggie a prerequisite to being in this conference? Do you have to take Mascot 102 to get a better name? DeWayne Walker replaces Hal Mumme and is installing a new spread offense different from the Air Raid that Mumme ran. Walker will call the defense and that is good for the worst unit in America. I think Walker will be competitive, but nobody has won here in almost 50 years. Remember that.
Player to watch: WR Marcus Anderson