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Will the real No.1 please stand up?
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Multiple media outlets throughout the United States convened in Salt Lake City July 23 and 24 in hopes of gaining insight of this college football season in the Western Athletic Conference.
The 2008 WAC Football Preview hosted coaches and players alike. The event updated the state of WAC football. It also allowed all nine schools in the conference to question both players and coaches.
"The WAC has reestablished itself as the second-most recognized conference in the west behind the Pac-10," WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said. "I think that, more today, that statement holds true."
It was clear at the Preview that Boise State and Fresno State are the top two teams going into the season, according to the media and coaches polls. BSU was voted No. 1 in the media poll, while the Bulldogs nabbed the top spot by the coaches. Thus, the Nov. 28 final regular season matchup between the two teams will most likely decide the WAC champion.
Here’s a quick look at the top three teams voted in the polls and the Broncos’ arch rival, University of Idaho Vandals and what to expect this season.
Boise State Broncos
Head Coach Chris Petersen, along with two of his best athletes, defensive lineman Mike T. Williams and running back Ian Johnson, were part of the preview.
Petersen arrived Thursday for interviews, and was optimistic about his senior running back.
"We’re really anxious to watch Ian go his senior year," Petersen said. "I know he is very motivated. [He] has a chip on his shoulder."
Johnson was voted the preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
The final two losses of the 2007-08 season was another wake-up call for the Broncos. This was particularly true for the Hawaii Bowl against East Carolina University.
"We don’t feel that we put our best foot forward for four quarters," Petersen said. "We hope that we learned our lesson. We won’t let it happen again."
The quarterback position for the Broncos has been a hot issue for the past two seasons. Peterson will approach it the same as he did last year with former BSU quarterback, Taylor Tharpe.
"The quarterback position is going to come down to the guy who makes the fewest mistakes," Petersen said.
The issue of wide receiver Jeremy Childs has loomed over the BSU campus since his dismissal before the Hawaii Bowl last season.
"We start on [Aug. 4] and that is when we will comment on Jeremy," Petersen said. "He has worked out with us for most of the summer and doing a good job there. We’ll probably put that whole thing to rest on the fourth." The call for the team to come together was clear.
"We need everybody," Petersen said. "All hands on deck."
Fresno State Bulldogs
The coaches voted the Bulldogs into the No. 1 spot in the preseason polls. Head Coach Pat Hill has earned the respect of the other teams with his hard-nosed scheduling style. His team will face tough opponents in Rutgers, Wisconsin, Toledo and UCLA to open the season. They will face BSU in a regular season finale.
"We will continue to go by that type of schedule," Hill said. "We will continue to play those types of teams."
Hill has faith in his athletes. Their appetite for a championship will likely make or break their season.
"The thing that’s got to stay if this team is going to be good, is that they’ve got to be hungry," Hill said.
University of Nevada
Reno Wolf Pack Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault made his thoughts clear on the state of the WAC. The strength of the conference has improved in the eyes of many critics throughout the college football world.
"You better come every Saturday to play some football," Ault said. "[The WAC] is a great football conference. I think that the coaching in it is excellent."
Ault felt that one key to his offense is senior running back Luke Lippincott.
"I think he is one of the best every-down backs on the West Coast," Ault said.
Nevada will not have a quarterback controversy heading into the fall. Last year’s standout sophomore, Colin Kaepernick, will go into practices as the starter.
"I am not a two-quarterback coach," Ault said.
The weak point of Nevada will likely be their defense. Ault was adamant on the issue.
"We need to make significant improvement on our defense. And we will make it."
University of Idaho Vandals
Vandal football has been a shaky program in the past few seasons to say the least. They’ve had numerous coaching changes that have affected many aspects of their game. Idaho head coach Robb Akey sees this season as an opportunity to take a step forward with the program.
"I feel a little bit better about going into this season than last year," Akey said. "A few less uncertainties. We will be an improved team going into this season. There is no question in my mind."
The one-win season of 2007-08 is not something that Akey would like to repeat.
"I couldn’t live through another year like last year. There is no way … I am never going to let that happen again."
Idaho is expected to have an improved 2008-09 season.
"I think the continuity, having other people around, has helped," Akey said. "Speaking the same language."
Information courtesy wac.com.
MARY ALBL AND KIRK BELL
Arbiter Staff
