Updated at 9:23 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2007
CFB: Quick peek at the WAC
USA Today
Boise State's storybook season that culminated with an unforgettable Fiesta Bowl win against Oklahoma — and a marriage proposal — will be a hard act to follow. But Hawai'i might be able to pull it off. The Warriors have quarterback Colt Brennan and his top three receivers back to make another assault on the record books. Perhaps most important, Hawai'i gets the Broncos at home this year. The Broncos still have star running back Ian Johnson, giver of said marriage proposal, and an experienced line for him to run behind. BSU also has a veteran secondary to contend with the WAC's many prolific passing attacks. Those two will get most of the buzz, but the league has other contenders. San Jose State enjoyed a turnaround season in 2006 and could have the WAC's top defense. Can usual contender Fresno State bounce back from a rare down year and get back to the postseason?Players to watch
i Boise State RB Ian Johnson (276 carries, 1,714 yards, 25 TDs)
i Hawai'i QB Colt Brennan (406-for-559, 5,549 yards, 58 TDs)
i Hawai'i WR Davone Bess (96 catches, 1,220 yards, 15 TDs)
i Nevada LB Ezra Butler (71 tackles, 17 and a half for loss, seven sacks)
i New Mexico State QB Chase Holbrook (397-for-567, 4,619 yards, 34 TDs)
i San Jose State LB Matt Castelo (165 tackles, four forced fumbles)
i San Jose State CB Dwight Lowery (Nine interceptions, seven breakups, 48 tackles)
Games to watch
i Sept. 8: Boise State at Washington (BSU looks to another win against a BCS conference team)
i Oct. 6: Fresno State at Nevada (Both teams need this one if they expect to challenge the favorites)
i Oct. 27: New Mexico State at Hawai'i (First to score 70 wins?)
i Nov. 3: San Jose State at Boise State (Could be the Broncos' last test before a visit to the islands)
i Nov. 23: Boise State at Hawai'i (The likely championship showdown)
How they'll finish
i Hawai'i: The schedule might be friendly enough for a BCS run. Versatile running back Nate Ilaoa will be the toughest opening to fill.
i Boise State: The Broncos won't be bad by any stretch, but the loss of quarterback Jared Zabransky and several defensive leaders will make it hard to duplicate the magic of 2006.
i Nevada: Quarterback Jeff Rowe must be replaced, but the defense should be solid.
i Fresno State: With running back Dwayne Wright gone, quarterback Tom Brandstater must improve.
i San Jose State: Could finish higher if veteran quarterback Adam Tafralis has another good year.
i New Mexico State: The Aggies will score a lot — and will have to if the defense doesn't get better.
i Louisiana Tech: Fixing the nation's leakiest defense is the top priority for new head coach Derek Dooley.
i Utah State: Ranked 114th in total offense in 2006.
i Idaho: New coach Robb Akey inherits some talent, led by linebacker David Vobora.
