SAN JOSE, Calif. — For the first time in the Western Athletic Conference's 45-year history, two of its players — Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan and Boise State running back Ian Johnson — are pre-season Heisman Trophy candidates.

That fact is being trumpeted at the WAC Football Preview, which began with last night's reception. The player and coach interviews start today.

But according to Johnson, who led the Broncos to an undefeated season in 2006, something is wrong with the picture.

"Why is Colt bigger than me?" Johnson said, pointing to a Photoshop-enhanced poster of the two players displayed in front of the media room.

At 5 feet 11, Johnson is 4 inches shorter than Brennan, whose biceps appear to be way larger in the poster.

"That's just not right," Johnson said, laughing.

But Johnson has bragging rights when it comes to the Broncos' storybook 2006 season, which had a happily-ever-after ending with a BCS upset of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. That game earned the Broncos recent ESPY Awards for best game and best play.

"I went to the ESPYs, though," Johnson said of the fun competition against Brennan. "That was great. He can't have that. I've got an ESPY. Colt, where's your ESPY? Thank you, thank you. Chalk that as one to nothing."

Johnson indeed managed to take home "one of the fake" awards.

"The real ones are getting engraved," Johnson said. "I imagine they're going to the school. I've got a fake one. It looks like the real one. It just doesn't have anyone's name on it."

Johnson then smiled, acknowledging that he was speaking in jest. In fact, Johnson said, he cares little about honors.

"It's not that important to me," he said. "It's just a trophy."

Johnson said he does not watch television or read the sports pages. He said he is oblivious to the hype surrounding his Heisman chances.

"I don't go online very often, except to check up on soccer scores," he said. "I'm kind of in a different zone. It's not that I don't care. It would be a nice fact to know, but I'm not seeking it out. I have my own things I'm very much into. It doesn't have to be football."

This summer, he is focused on three things: training, working and planning next week's wedding. Moments after scoring the decisive two-point conversion in the Fiesta Bowl, he took a knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Chrissy Popadics, a Boise State cheerleader.

"Life is hectic," Johnson said. "There's up to 700 (attending) the ceremony, and only 150 close family at the reception. That's all the money we have."

As for football, Johnson said, the Broncos should be considered the favorite.

"We did go 13-0 last year," he said. "I think we kind of have the crown. Nobody can say they beat us last year. They're going to have to take the crown. But when we go (to Hawai'i), we're going to give them the respect that they deserve. They're a great team."

Johnson also said he supports the BCS system that awarded the national championship to Florida.

"They played well, they deserved it," Johnson said of Florida. "We got everything we deserved ... including a fake ESPY."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.