Joe Jaszewski / McClatchy Tribune

No. 1 Boise State Broncos (4-0)
Last Week: Beat Bowling Green, 49-14, in Bowling Green
Next Opponent: 
vs. UC Davis
Why No. 1?: The Broncos are ranked No. 5 in the nation and are on a war path. This team is on its way to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and is clearly superior in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
The Buzz: This week’s mismatch against UC Davis will be a virtual bye week for Boise State. After four games, it will be a chance to rest starters and get healthy.

No. 2 Idaho Vandals (3-1)
Last Week: Beat Northern Illinois, 34-31, in Dekalb
Next Opponent: vs. Colorado State

Why No. 2?: The Vandals, for what may be the first time in history, have the second best record in conference at 3-1. Idaho has wins over New Mexico State, San Diego State and Northern Illinois.
The Buzz: Colorado State is coming to town this weekend and the university is saying the usually tame Kibbie Dome is going to be the “Thunder Dome” against the Rams.

No. 3 Hawaii Warriors (2-1)
Last Week: 
Bye week
Next Opponent: at Louisiana Tech
Why No. 3?: Hawaii is only two points away from being an undefeated team. Even without former head coach June Jones running the show, the WAC cannot seem to figure out the Warriors’ spread offense.
The Buzz: Hawaii plays Louisiana Tech tonight in Ruston, which will be a contrast in styles. If the Warriors can stop the Bulldogs and their grind-it-out style, they’ll start the season 3-1.

No. 4 Fresno State Bulldogs (1-3)
Last Week: Lost to Cincinnati, 28-20, in Cincinnati
Next Opponent: at Hawaii (Oct. 10)
Why No. 4?: Fresno State hasn’t defeated a Football Championship Subdivision (FBS) team yet. The team’s one win was against UC Davis. The only thing keeping the ’Dogs in the top half of the rankings is talent and potential.
The Buzz: The bye week will be a chance for the Bulldogs to recover from a grueling September schedule, but October won’t start any easier for the Bulldogs. Pat Hill has only won one game at Hawaii in his 13-year career.

No. 5 Utah State Aggies (1-2)
Last Week: Beat Southern Utah, 53-24, in Logan
Next Opponent: at BYU
Why No. 5?: Utah State narrowly lost to Texas A&M in College Station, 38-30. Any WAC team that can hang at Kyle Field deserves respect.
The Buzz: The Aggies lost to Utah by 17 points and this week they’ll get another chance at a traditional power in Utah. BYU is a much better team than Utah State, but the Aggies can gain more respect with a close game.

No. 6 Nevada Wolf Pack (0-3)
Last Week: Lost to Missouri, 31-21, in Reno
Next Opponent: vs. UNLV
Why No. 6?: The Wolf Pack was supposed to challenge Boise State for the WAC title this season, but has fallen well short of expectation. The Pack has lost every game by 10 or more points.
The Buzz: Fans are already calling for a coaching change, but Chris Ault’s job isn’t lost yet. If Nevada can handle UNLV, fans should start to settle down, at least for a little while.

No. 7 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-2)
Last Week: Bye week
Next Opponent: vs. Hawaii
Why No. 7?: The ’Dogs opened the season with two road losses at Auburn and Navy. Once the Bulldogs get their first WAC win, the victories will come more easily and will pile up before season’s end.
The Buzz: Louisiana Tech has a real chance to jump up in the WAC power rankings by beating Hawaii tonight. The Bulldogs have a distinct advantage tonight; Hawaii is traveling six time zones east.

No. 8 New Mexico State Aggies (2-2)
Last Week: Beat New Mexico, 20-17, in Albuquerque
Next Opponent: 
at San Diego State
Why No. 8?: New Mexico state barely hung on to beat Prairie View A&M, winning 21-18 at home. Seeing that the Aggies have two wins might be deceiving.
The Buzz: If Idaho was able to beat San Diego State, New Mexico State has a fighting chance against the Aztecs. A 3-2 record would be a tremendous start for a team with a new coach.

No. 9 San Jose State Spartans (1-3)
Last Week: Beat Cal Poly, 19-9, in San Jose
Next Opponent: vs. Idaho (Oct. 10)
Why No. 9?: The Spartans only beat Cal Poly 19-9 – enough said.
The Buzz: San Jose State desperately needs to have this Saturday off. The Spartans opened the season losing to USC, Utah and Stanford. The difficulty of San Jose State’s first four games rivals Fresno State’s. Right now, the Spartans look terrible, but things can change quickly when WAC play starts.