It’s has been 26 years since Robbie Bosco and the highflying BYU Cougars shocked college football winning the WAC's (Western Athletic Conference) first and only national championship. Now, more than two decades after the Cougars defeated Michigan in the Holiday Bowl, another pass happy team out of the whacky WAC is poised for a real title shot.Boise State enters 2010 as not only the prohibited favor to win its eighth league title in nine years, (a domination not seen since Lavell Edwards patrolled BYU’s sidelines), but if all the chips fall in place, they could be a legitimate Bowl Championship Series (BCS) championship contender.
“We had faced high expectations before and came away fine. Now they are a little greater. Our team is well led by a group of juniors and seniors who want to prove that we can play at the same level against the big conference”, boasted Boise’s head coach, Chris Petersen during the Broncos’ spring practices.
Petersen will need all the confidence he can muster because his Broncos have had a Bull Eyes painted over them ever since they defeated a very good TCU squad in last year’s Fiesta Bowl. Now it’s time to prove, once again, that Boise is here to stay with another undefeated season. If they managed to do that, come January Petersen and the Broncos could be hoisting something more than a bowl championship trophy.
Here’s a look at the projected WAC order of finish.
1. Boise State Broncos: Head and shoulders the top team in the conference. Lead by Heisman contender QB Kellen Moore (431-277, 3, 536 yards, 39 TDs-3 INTs) and underrated running back Jeremy Avery (1,111 yards, 6 TDs, 5.5 average). The Broncos were the most explosive team (#1 in scoring with 42.2 ppg) in the nation last fall. With both players back, a solid trio of receivers to throw to and a veteran offensive line, there’s little question Petersen’s team will score at a high clip. Their QB Moore, if he declares early, could even be a potential 1st rounf draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The defense should be better-than-average (ranked 14th in the nation, 17.1 ppg) thanks to the return of ends Ryan Winterswyk and Shea McClellin. The linebacker corps is well manned by one of the most athletic weak-side groups in the country. Aaron Tevis and JC Percy should make several all conference teams this season. The secondary has the promise to be a great one. This optimism rests in the stellar play of All American candidate, safety Jeron Johnson. The 5-foot-11 senior, who led the club in tackles (91) last season, is a fearsome run stopper as well as an instinctive pass defender.
The conference schedule is manageable with only two real trap games (Fresno State and Nevada). The Bulldogs should offer Boise its biggest conference test as they return a very talented team with a chip on its shoulder following last year’s collapse against the Broncos. The non-conference schedule is much tougher than last season’s. The opener against highly ranked Virginia Tech should set the tone for the entire 2010 campaign. A win versus the Hokies and Boise will have a clear path to the BCS championship game.
PREDICTION: Will win the WAC without much trouble but a national title seems out of reach.
2. Fresno State Bulldogs: Nevada is the consensus pick to challenge Boise for league supremacy. But it was actually the Bulldogs which have given the Broncos the much tougher game recently. It has been more than ten years (1999) since head coach Pat Hill won the WAC. In fact, it has been 4 years since his team had a realistic shot at winning the conference. With a veteran signal caller (Ryan Colburn) and a very good offensive line, Fresno could make things interesting in 2010. They do need to replace NFL first rounder, RB Ryan Mathews, and its entire wide receiver corps. But the coaching staff feels comfortable with the explosive Robbie Rouse (5.8 ypc) handling the ground attack and with Jamel Hamler catching passes.
The weakness on the team could be the defense, specially the front seven. Teams ran wild on them (111th nationally allowing 214.1 ypg) last season and with almost (with the exception of DT Logan Harrell) the same cast returning, things don’t look up. The secondary is at least competitive and should keep the team in most games. The schedule is actually conductive to a big season. Cincinnati (the opener) is in a rebuilding mode as is Ole Miss (September 25th). As for their conference foes, beside Boise and Nevada, the only road block seems to be November 27th. That’s when an improving Idaho team visits Fresno.
PREDICTION: Could surprise several teams, but Hill’s club is not as talented as Boise. A second place finish is more than plausible.
3. Nevada Wolf pack: Record setting QB Colin Kaepernick returns for one last chance at winning the WAC. The multi threat signal caller rushed for 1,183 yards and passed for 2,050 while scoring 36 combine touchdowns. He once again will have the Wolf pack flying high on offense (#6 nationally averring 38.2 ppg). The receiving corps is very good with sophomore split end Brandon Wimberly leading the group. The ground game is well stocked with Kaepernick and underrated RB Vai Taua (1,345 yards) carrying the load. The line is functional enough for the club to run on.
The problem with Nevada resides in a mediocre defense, more specifically, its pedestrian secondary, a unit ranked 119th (297.8 ypg) in the country last year. It allowed 7 passers to top the 300 yards mark last season. They return both corners, but that’s doesn’t said a lot as both were torched deep repeatedly last season. The unit looked much improve during spring practices, but as talented as Kaepernick is, he is no Moore. The real test will come on the field.
PREDICTION: It's hard to see how such as bad secondary can be turn around in one year, especially with almost the same personnel manning key positions.
4. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: A Dark Horse to make some noise in the WAC. Armed with a new head coach (Sonny Dykes), a new offensive philosophy (spread), and the personnel to make it all work out. Despite returning just four starters (three of them offensive linemen) the offense should be potent enough to keep pace in this wacky league.
The backbone of the team is a much improved defense. Contrary to Nevada, Louisiana State's biggest asset is its secondary, which ranked first in the conference last season with 13 interceptions. The front seven is filled with young, inexperienced but very athletic players. The senior member of the unit, DE Matt Broha had a great spring as did fellow lineman, DT Ramone Randle.
PREDICTION: It’s hard to see a 4-8 team making the leap to the conference’s elite ranks, but a winning record and a lower tier bowl invitation are well within reach.
5. Idaho Vandals: An 8-5 record and the school’s first ever 1st round (G Mike Iupati) NFL pick are clear signs this program is taking off. Now it’s time to take the next step and become a regular contender. QB Nathan Enderie, RB Princeton McCarty and WR Preston Davis form a nice offensive core. The problem resides on a completely renovated line. Can they protect Enderie and open some running lanes inside?
If Idaho plans to play the Big Boys of the conference title, they need to do a better job on defense (#114 in the nation). This unit allowed a whopping 36 points a game last season and with much of the starters (9) coming back, an improvement in 2010 is not likely.
PREDICTION: A killer schedule and a bad defense equal a mediocre season.
6. Utah State Aggies: A chic pick to move up, the Aggies have one of the most dynamic and balanced offenses in the league. The unit accounted for almost 30 (29.1) points a night and with its starting quarterback (Diondre Borel) back, a solid RB group (Michael Smith, Kerwynn Williams and Derrvin Speight) and a very good offensive line, chances are they will again be among the top scoring teams in the conference.
As many of the second tiered clubs in the WAC, the Aggies main problem resides on defense. Last season, the team lacked the athletes on the outside to mount serious pressure on opposing passers. Thus the secondary became exposed. Unfortunately for head coach Gary Andersen, a former Utah Utes defensive coordinator, the unit had almost the same make up as last year’s. The only bright spot is OLB Bobby Wagner, an all conference performer in 2009.
PREDICTION: They improved dramatically from 2008 to last year, but getting more than four wins with a non-reactive defense and a tough (Oklahoma is the opener) schedule will be difficult.
7. Hawaii Warriors: Head coach Greg McMackin is in the hot seat following two pedestrian (13-14 overall reacord) seasons at the helm of the Rainbow Warriors. On the surface the passing attack (3rd in the nation with 337 ypg) seems solid but a closer look reveals that much of that yardage came in the middle of the field with few completitions inside the 20 yard range. Scoring (22.8 ppg) has gone down since June Jones’ last season in Honolulu (2008). McMackin is betting his job on the return of inconstant QB Bryant Moniz (2,396 yards, 14 TDs in part time duty) and the development of an inexperience receiving corps lead by the speedy Rodney Bradley.
Despite changing schemes, defense remains Hawaii’s biggest weakness. They ranked at the bottom of most categories (90th ranked overall, 107 against the run) last fall. The biggest problem is the lack of size up front. The addition of DT Kaniela Tuipulotu (transfer from Arizona) should bolster the D-line. But more is needed.
PREDICTION: New offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich should make the passing game formidable again, but the defense is too porous for the Warriors to make any climb in the standings.
8. San Jose State Spartans: Yes, this is a 2-10 team, but the record does not reflect the talent level SJSU has amassed during the last two years. In fact, it can be argue that the Spartans have more overall talent than many of the teams above them. New HC Mike MacIntyre has decided to dump the spread attack in favor of the more conventional pro-style. The team can use any help. Last year’s squad finished 118th in scoring (13.8) and 117th in rushing, the two benchmarks for a spread offense.
Jordan La Secta had an inconsistent 2009. The senior quarterback is more suited for the pro-style than the spread offense. The coaching staff knows this and expect a big improvement from last (1,926, 10 TDs) season. Look for tailback Brandon Rutley (junior) to have a bigger role in the offense. Rutley, who is arguable the best athlete on the roster, has the speed to score every time he touched the football.
New defensive coordinator Kent Baer will have his hands full trying to revive a moribund unit. The tackles (Palo Garcia and JaRodd Watson) are solid as does the safeties (Duke Ihenacho and Tanner Burns) if the linebackers can produce, the defense could be at least functional.
PREDICTION: The talent is there for a more than 2 wins. The schedule is tough with Alabama and Wisconsin to open the season. Four wins should be consider a major success.
9. New Mexico State Aggies: A promising start (3-3) in 2009 gave way to a nightmare finish (0-7). The main culprit for the collapse was the offense which ranked dead-last in the nation in scoring (11.5) and second to last in passing (87.8 ypg). Only the ground game (141.5 ypg, 66th nationally) can be called average. RB Seth Smith has to be commended for rushing for 1,016 yards without any support. If the passing game improves just a bit, it can’t get any worse, Smith should easily pass the 1,500 mark. That won’t happen until the QB situations settle. New offensive coordinator, Mike Dunbar, does not have a lot to choose from.
Last year’s starter, Jeff Flaming has not shown that he can handle the stating role. He lacks the talent to be a full time starter. Incoming junior college transfer, Matt Christian, has better overall ability, but lacks experience, as do highly touted freshman, Andrew Manley. Nevertheless, each of them should be a major upgrade over Fleming.
The defense was a mess in 2009. They finish the year ranked 101st in points allowed (31.6) and 114th in rushing yards per game. The only plus was a very active secondary. CBs Davon House (all conference selection) and Jonte Green can play man-to-man with the best receivers in the conference. The front seven is lead by DE Pierre Fils. But after Fils, there isn’t much to look at. The linebackers are slow and there’s little depth behind them.
PREDICTION: Too much work to be done. Another 3 win season seems about right.
By Raul Colon
rcolonfrias@yahoo.com
The defense should be better-than-average (ranked 14th in the nation, 17.1 ppg) thanks to the return of ends Ryan Winterswyk and Shea McClellin. The linebacker corps is well manned by one of the most athletic weak-side groups in the country. Aaron Tevis and JC Percy should make several all conference teams this season. The secondary has the promise to be a great one. This optimism rests in the stellar play of All American candidate, safety Jeron Johnson. The 5-foot-11 senior, who led the club in tackles (91) last season, is a fearsome run stopper as well as an instinctive pass defender.
The conference schedule is manageable with only two real trap games (Fresno State and Nevada). The Bulldogs should offer Boise its biggest conference test as they return a very talented team with a chip on its shoulder following last year’s collapse against the Broncos. The non-conference schedule is much tougher than last season’s. The opener against highly ranked Virginia Tech should set the tone for the entire 2010 campaign. A win versus the Hokies and Boise will have a clear path to the BCS championship game.
PREDICTION: Will win the WAC without much trouble but a national title seems out of reach.
2. Fresno State Bulldogs: Nevada is the consensus pick to challenge Boise for league supremacy. But it was actually the Bulldogs which have given the Broncos the much tougher game recently. It has been more than ten years (1999) since head coach Pat Hill won the WAC. In fact, it has been 4 years since his team had a realistic shot at winning the conference. With a veteran signal caller (Ryan Colburn) and a very good offensive line, Fresno could make things interesting in 2010. They do need to replace NFL first rounder, RB Ryan Mathews, and its entire wide receiver corps. But the coaching staff feels comfortable with the explosive Robbie Rouse (5.8 ypc) handling the ground attack and with Jamel Hamler catching passes.
The weakness on the team could be the defense, specially the front seven. Teams ran wild on them (111th nationally allowing 214.1 ypg) last season and with almost (with the exception of DT Logan Harrell) the same cast returning, things don’t look up. The secondary is at least competitive and should keep the team in most games. The schedule is actually conductive to a big season. Cincinnati (the opener) is in a rebuilding mode as is Ole Miss (September 25th). As for their conference foes, beside Boise and Nevada, the only road block seems to be November 27th. That’s when an improving Idaho team visits Fresno.
PREDICTION: Could surprise several teams, but Hill’s club is not as talented as Boise. A second place finish is more than plausible.
3. Nevada Wolf pack: Record setting QB Colin Kaepernick returns for one last chance at winning the WAC. The multi threat signal caller rushed for 1,183 yards and passed for 2,050 while scoring 36 combine touchdowns. He once again will have the Wolf pack flying high on offense (#6 nationally averring 38.2 ppg). The receiving corps is very good with sophomore split end Brandon Wimberly leading the group. The ground game is well stocked with Kaepernick and underrated RB Vai Taua (1,345 yards) carrying the load. The line is functional enough for the club to run on.
The problem with Nevada resides in a mediocre defense, more specifically, its pedestrian secondary, a unit ranked 119th (297.8 ypg) in the country last year. It allowed 7 passers to top the 300 yards mark last season. They return both corners, but that’s doesn’t said a lot as both were torched deep repeatedly last season. The unit looked much improve during spring practices, but as talented as Kaepernick is, he is no Moore. The real test will come on the field.
PREDICTION: It's hard to see how such as bad secondary can be turn around in one year, especially with almost the same personnel manning key positions.
4. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: A Dark Horse to make some noise in the WAC. Armed with a new head coach (Sonny Dykes), a new offensive philosophy (spread), and the personnel to make it all work out. Despite returning just four starters (three of them offensive linemen) the offense should be potent enough to keep pace in this wacky league.
The backbone of the team is a much improved defense. Contrary to Nevada, Louisiana State's biggest asset is its secondary, which ranked first in the conference last season with 13 interceptions. The front seven is filled with young, inexperienced but very athletic players. The senior member of the unit, DE Matt Broha had a great spring as did fellow lineman, DT Ramone Randle.
PREDICTION: It’s hard to see a 4-8 team making the leap to the conference’s elite ranks, but a winning record and a lower tier bowl invitation are well within reach.
5. Idaho Vandals: An 8-5 record and the school’s first ever 1st round (G Mike Iupati) NFL pick are clear signs this program is taking off. Now it’s time to take the next step and become a regular contender. QB Nathan Enderie, RB Princeton McCarty and WR Preston Davis form a nice offensive core. The problem resides on a completely renovated line. Can they protect Enderie and open some running lanes inside?
If Idaho plans to play the Big Boys of the conference title, they need to do a better job on defense (#114 in the nation). This unit allowed a whopping 36 points a game last season and with much of the starters (9) coming back, an improvement in 2010 is not likely.
PREDICTION: A killer schedule and a bad defense equal a mediocre season.
6. Utah State Aggies: A chic pick to move up, the Aggies have one of the most dynamic and balanced offenses in the league. The unit accounted for almost 30 (29.1) points a night and with its starting quarterback (Diondre Borel) back, a solid RB group (Michael Smith, Kerwynn Williams and Derrvin Speight) and a very good offensive line, chances are they will again be among the top scoring teams in the conference.
As many of the second tiered clubs in the WAC, the Aggies main problem resides on defense. Last season, the team lacked the athletes on the outside to mount serious pressure on opposing passers. Thus the secondary became exposed. Unfortunately for head coach Gary Andersen, a former Utah Utes defensive coordinator, the unit had almost the same make up as last year’s. The only bright spot is OLB Bobby Wagner, an all conference performer in 2009.
PREDICTION: They improved dramatically from 2008 to last year, but getting more than four wins with a non-reactive defense and a tough (Oklahoma is the opener) schedule will be difficult.
7. Hawaii Warriors: Head coach Greg McMackin is in the hot seat following two pedestrian (13-14 overall reacord) seasons at the helm of the Rainbow Warriors. On the surface the passing attack (3rd in the nation with 337 ypg) seems solid but a closer look reveals that much of that yardage came in the middle of the field with few completitions inside the 20 yard range. Scoring (22.8 ppg) has gone down since June Jones’ last season in Honolulu (2008). McMackin is betting his job on the return of inconstant QB Bryant Moniz (2,396 yards, 14 TDs in part time duty) and the development of an inexperience receiving corps lead by the speedy Rodney Bradley.
Despite changing schemes, defense remains Hawaii’s biggest weakness. They ranked at the bottom of most categories (90th ranked overall, 107 against the run) last fall. The biggest problem is the lack of size up front. The addition of DT Kaniela Tuipulotu (transfer from Arizona) should bolster the D-line. But more is needed.
PREDICTION: New offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich should make the passing game formidable again, but the defense is too porous for the Warriors to make any climb in the standings.
8. San Jose State Spartans: Yes, this is a 2-10 team, but the record does not reflect the talent level SJSU has amassed during the last two years. In fact, it can be argue that the Spartans have more overall talent than many of the teams above them. New HC Mike MacIntyre has decided to dump the spread attack in favor of the more conventional pro-style. The team can use any help. Last year’s squad finished 118th in scoring (13.8) and 117th in rushing, the two benchmarks for a spread offense.
Jordan La Secta had an inconsistent 2009. The senior quarterback is more suited for the pro-style than the spread offense. The coaching staff knows this and expect a big improvement from last (1,926, 10 TDs) season. Look for tailback Brandon Rutley (junior) to have a bigger role in the offense. Rutley, who is arguable the best athlete on the roster, has the speed to score every time he touched the football.
New defensive coordinator Kent Baer will have his hands full trying to revive a moribund unit. The tackles (Palo Garcia and JaRodd Watson) are solid as does the safeties (Duke Ihenacho and Tanner Burns) if the linebackers can produce, the defense could be at least functional.
PREDICTION: The talent is there for a more than 2 wins. The schedule is tough with Alabama and Wisconsin to open the season. Four wins should be consider a major success.
9. New Mexico State Aggies: A promising start (3-3) in 2009 gave way to a nightmare finish (0-7). The main culprit for the collapse was the offense which ranked dead-last in the nation in scoring (11.5) and second to last in passing (87.8 ypg). Only the ground game (141.5 ypg, 66th nationally) can be called average. RB Seth Smith has to be commended for rushing for 1,016 yards without any support. If the passing game improves just a bit, it can’t get any worse, Smith should easily pass the 1,500 mark. That won’t happen until the QB situations settle. New offensive coordinator, Mike Dunbar, does not have a lot to choose from.
Last year’s starter, Jeff Flaming has not shown that he can handle the stating role. He lacks the talent to be a full time starter. Incoming junior college transfer, Matt Christian, has better overall ability, but lacks experience, as do highly touted freshman, Andrew Manley. Nevertheless, each of them should be a major upgrade over Fleming.
The defense was a mess in 2009. They finish the year ranked 101st in points allowed (31.6) and 114th in rushing yards per game. The only plus was a very active secondary. CBs Davon House (all conference selection) and Jonte Green can play man-to-man with the best receivers in the conference. The front seven is lead by DE Pierre Fils. But after Fils, there isn’t much to look at. The linebackers are slow and there’s little depth behind them.
PREDICTION: Too much work to be done. Another 3 win season seems about right.
By Raul Colon
rcolonfrias@yahoo.com
1 comment:
You got it wrong saying Fresno has played Boise tougher than Nevada the last couple years. Nevada played Boise tougher - check the scores. Nevada also dominated Fresno the last couple years.
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