Brad’s 2010 WAC Predictions
Posted by deaconcat08 on July 13, 2010
The WAC will take a major hit next year with the departure of Boise, as the Broncos are the only thing making this conference stronger than the MAC. Boise State will once again win the conference, but they’ll have tougher competition at the top from stronger Nevada and Fresno squads. On the other hand, the bottom of the WAC is as weak as ever with teams 5-9 all finishing near the bottom of 1-A
The number to the left of each team name is their predicted conference ranking with the conference champion displayed in all caps. The number in parentheses to the right of each team name is their predicted rank nationally. Also, after my written analysis for each team, I have provided my prediction of where each team will end up spending their postseason. Furthermore, I have underlined my ten surprise picks and italicized my ten disappointment picks. Separate entries for my surprise and disappointment picks will be posted later on, which will compare my preseason predictions with the average of the (allegedly) expert predictions from Athlon, the Sporting News, and Phil Steele.
1. BOISE STATE (3)- Once again the only thing holding back the Broncos from a national title may be the pollsters. Many people are claiming that if this team beats VT and runs the table the rest of the way that they have a great chance of making the title game. Well, I’m not buying it, since Boise essentially did the exact same thing last year by beating Oregon in the opener and then running through the WAC. In fact, their undefeated 2009 campaign didn’t even get them close to the title game, as they finished the regular season at # 6 in the polls. A good friend of mine said it best when discussing the possibility of a non-BCS team making the title game, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” I agree, and that is why I think Boise once again will be forgotten after a big win against the Hokies and will even get passed up by a one-loss Bama squad for a spot in the title game. The evil smile of BCS President Bill Hancock will say it all: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college/files/2010/04/bill-hancock.jpg. (Postseason Prediction: Sugar Bowl vs. Texas; this will be the second of two BCS matchups between Big 12 teams and non-BCS powerhouses.)
2. Nevada (42)- Colin Kapernick will once again put up obscene number running Chris Ault’s pistol offense. Kapernick is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but he may not be the best in conference because of Boise’s Kellen Moore. Both Moore and Kapernick should contend for the Heisman, and both of their teams should contend for the conference crown, as the Pack will the the Broncos all they can handle when they play them in Reno on November 26th. (Postseason Prediction: Kraft Hunger Bowl vs. California; good bowl game, horrible bowl name)
3. Fresno State (47)- This will be Pat Hill’s best team in several years, as I predict that they will once again knock off a Divison 1-A powerhouse by beating Cincy in their opener. (Postseason Prediction: Humanitarian Bowl vs. Central Michigan)
4. Hawaii (84)- There is a huge drop-off in this conference after the top three, but the Rainbow Warriors will be back in a bowl game after last year’s disappointing 6-7 campaign. (Postseason Prediction: Hawaii Bowl vs. SMU; June Jones redemption game!)
5. Louisiana Tech (90)- The departure of Dooley won’t help a team that majorly disappointed last year. The Dykes hire is interesting, and it could payoff in the long run, but improvements will be hard to come by this season. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl)
6. Utah State (99)- The Aggies have improved slowly but surely over the last few seasons winning one game in 2006, two games in 2007, three games in 2008, and four last year. Will they continue the streak this year by winning 5? With 8 returning starters on each side of the ball, they definitely have an opportunity to get at least that many. However, a spring ACL injury to their star RB Robert Turbin and a fairly difficult non-conference schedule has me calling for another four win season. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl)
7. New Mexico State (102)- The other Aggies in the conference also appear to be making positive strides under new leadership. Head coach DeWayne Walker had NMSU at 3-3 last year before falling apart down the stretch. Still, this team has 15 returning starters and has a great chance to win 4 or more games this year. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl)
8. San Jose State (104)- With 15 returning starters and two cupcake non-conference games, it would seem like I would pick the Spartans to finish a lot higher than 8th in the WAC. However, those 15 starters are the same that produced just two wins last year. Not to mention, they will have to adjust to a new coaching staff with a new set of schemes. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl)
9. Idaho (109)- The Vandals may have been the story of the year in college football, but those hoping that such success would carry over to this season will be mistaken. Only four starters return on offense, and while virtually their entire defense comes back, that unit was horrid down the stretch in 2009. Robb Akey will once again get Idaho to a bowl, but it won’t be this season. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl)