A Word on the Subject

Epic

The Western Athletic Conference 2008-09 football season is just around the corner. It is looking to be a spectacle with the exciting matchups around the league.

First of all, Fresno State was voted the top team to beat by the most important critics – the coaches. The Bulldogs will face teams which are not only respectable, but power-houses as well. Teams like Wisconsin, that are coming off of a successful season, and UCLA, that likely feel they have something to prove after a lackluster 2007-08 year at 6-7. These matchups could make or break the BCS chances for Fresno State.

As a college football fan, I see a scenario in which Boise State and Fresno State complete their seasons undefeated before a finale that, according to the Bulldogs’ head coach Pat Hill, will likely decide the conference champion. It may also catapult a WAC team into the BCS for a third consecutive season.

Winning or losing to the University of Oregon will likely decide where BSU finishes in the polls. The Ducks soared over the Bulldogs 52-21 in Eugene last season.

I know that as a journalist, I should avoid predictions and scenarios like this. The fan in me only furthers the desire to look into my crystal ball and make assumptions that come natural as a sports critic.

I think this season may be one of the most exciting we have seen in recent WAC history, which is saying a lot after the events that have taken place in the past few years.

This season is shaping to be an exciting one. We will have plenty to devour through the 2008-09 football season. The gridiron tends to have that effect on many of us, especially in Boise. We are on our way to witnessing something great with prospects like BSU, Fresno and Nevada looking to make a sturdy effort at the WAC title. The Broncos’ head coach Chris Petersen is right where he most likely wants to be – the underdog. His teams seem to find inspiration when they have something to prove.

He isn’t the only one, not this season. The Bulldogs, Wolf Pack and Warriors are nipping at their heels. Others would like to take these teams and knock them off of their pedestals. Enter Idaho, Utah State and New Mexico State, who all feel they have something to prove in the WAC. This year in football will be instrumental in defining the WAC, even more so than what Boise State, Fresno State and Hawai’i have done before. The bottom teams will need to take a step forward. This step is going to make or break the state of the conference and the competitive character that is becoming familiar amongst the top four or five teams. Just say no to bottom feeders.

The word is epic. We can expect nothing less this year from the WAC teams and can expect everything from the nation where all eyes are on David as he prepares to once again tear down Goliath.

Kirk Bell

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