The Collegian's Post-Spring Football Predictions_________
Fresno State the early front-runner
With the end of spring practice on April 9, it's time to look ahead
to the new season
Hughes Views
By EDDIE HUGHES
Fresno State will win the Western Athletic Conference.
No, that prediction was not copied and pasted from any of the last four
seasons — other years when the Bulldogs seemed to have the most
talent in the conference but never seemed to get over the hump.
Note to reader: “the hump” = Boise State
Boise State and Fresno State have been the pied pipers of the WAC since
2001, gaining national publicity and earning top rankings. Don’t
expect that to change anytime soon. The addition of lightweights Utah
State, New Mexico State and Idaho certainly won’t play any part
in dethroning the Broncos or Bulldogs.
But the big showdown of the year — the one everyone is anticipating
(or should be) — is the Nov. 12 date at Bulldog Stadium. That’s
when Boise State comes to town.
The Broncos have beaten the Bulldogs four consecutive times, dating back
to 2001 when Bulldog fans were flabbergasted after Fresno State, which
was previously unbeaten and ranked No. 8 in the country behind David Carr,
lost at home to the Broncos.
Barring a miracle turnaround from San Jose State, a defense transplant
for Hawaii or the transfer of Oklahoma to the WAC, the title will be decided
on Nov. 12.
Now that spring practice has officially ended, here’s a rundown
of how the WAC should stack up in the coming season:
1. FRESNO STATE
The Bulldogs have the most talent in the conference and enough returning
starters (17) to pick up right where they left off in an MPC Computers
Bowl victory over Virginia in December.
On offense, the team is led by quarterback Paul Pinegar, who rebounded
from a tough start last season to show why Pat Hill has so much confidence
in him. Pinegar threw for five touchdowns in the win over Virginia and
finished with 2,099 yards passing, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Pinegar has four years of starting experience and a veteran line that
has all-WAC honorees Dartangon Shack and Kyle Young. The loss of Logan
Mankins hurts, but youngsters Ryan Wendell and Cole Popovich are the future.
And the backfield is absolutely loaded with Bryson Sumlin (1,128 yards,
13 touchdowns), Wendell Mathis (995 yards, 12 touchdowns), Dwayne Wright
(1,038 yards in 2003) and converted cornerback Clifton Smith (a shifty
runner who can make tacklers look foolish in a jiffy).
Pinegar will have plenty of targets to throw to with experienced receivers
Jermaine Jamison, Adam Jennings and Joe Fernandez all returning.
The Bulldogs defense returns all three starters at linebacker, a deep
secondary and star defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre, who seems to have
endless energy when it comes to rushing the passer.
The secondary will be led by corner Richard Marshall, who returned three
interceptions for touchdowns last season. Safety James Sanders opted to
leave school a year early to enter the NFL Draft, but the secondary remains
one of the team’s strengths.
2. BOISE STATE
The Broncos are the team to beat. If not because they are talented again
this season, simply because they have won three straight WAC championships
and 26 straight WAC games.
Fresno State is the team with the best shot of ending those streaks this
season.
But that will require slowing an explosive offense led by junior quarterback
Jared Zabransky and highly touted left tackle Daryn Colledge.
3. NEVADA
It’s tough to predict a finish this high for the Wolf Pack, but,
after the top two, the conference is pretty open. Nevada has proven offensive
weapons in receiver Nichiren Flowers and quarterback Jeff Rowe.
And sophomore linebacker Jeremy Engstrom and defensive lineman J.J. Milan
are the key parts on a defense that could boost this team toward the upper
tier of the conference with a strong showing.
4. LOUISIANA TECH
Just 11 starters return for the Bulldogs. Quarterback Matt Kubik returns,
which might not be such a plus considering he had 10 touchdowns and 10
interceptions last season while completing just 50.8 percent of his passes.
But Louisiana Tech has a strong enough offensive line and good enough
athletes to compete. Losing star running back Ryan Moats a year early
to the NFL Draft leaves the Bulldogs in search of a fill-in.
5. HAWAII
The most difficult team to predict is the Warriors. They are undoubtedly
the third most successful team in the conference over the past five years,
but this year is different.
The defense was just plain bad last season (see Fresno State’s 70
points and Boise State’s 69 points against the Warriors). Five starters
return on the defense, meaning six newcomers will start.
That could be a good thing in this case.
On offense, Hawaii was an aerial force under former quarterback Timmy
Chang. But he’s gone now, and five passers will compete to be the
replacement. All of the receivers are gone too. The only four returnees
on offense are linemen.
6. NEW MEXICO STATE
None of the newest WAC members will be WAC powers, but the Aggies were
5-6 last season while playing some tough non-conference games against
the likes of Arkansas, Cal and UTEP.
With 16 starters returning, the Aggies are the best equipped of the WAC’s
three new members to make an impact.
7. SAN JOSE STATE
The Spartans have been a laughing stock of sorts for a few years now.
The big question now is whether new coach Dick Tomey can turn it around?
He’s had great success at Hawaii and Arizona to rank eighth among
active coaches in career wins with 158. But the way the Spartans played
last season, it could take a millennium to win that many games in San
Jose.
8. UTAH STATE
Also nicknamed the Aggies, Utah State might be in for a tough debut in
the WAC. The Aggies were 3-8 last season while playing in the Sun Belt.
It’s hard to envision any better than a sixth-place finish.
9. IDAHO
Doesn’t this team still play in a converted airplane hangar that
seats only 16,000?
The Vandals are set to struggle through some rough games.
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