WAC predictions in the DMN

[giacfsp]

WAC PROJECTED ORDER

Hawaii: Timmy Chang passed for nearly 4,500 yards last season and the Warriors get both Fresno State and Boise State on the islands this year.

Fresno State: The best talent in the WAC, and Paul Pinegar looks like the next great Bulldog quarterback.

Boise State: Defending champs have won 11 in a row and have the best QB, Ryan Dinwiddie, in a league full of top passers.

Nevada: Wolf Pack has improved every year under coach Chris Tormey. Always a top offense and now a veteran defense.

SMU: An improved passing game should mean more scoring and big plays. If the defense cuts down on surrendering big plays, the Mustangs could move up.

Louisiana Tech: After a disappointing 2002, QB Luke McCown is ready to make amends, starting with the season opener against Miami.

Rice: With the spread option, the Owls always have a chance. Two veteran QBs in Kyle Herm and Greg Henderson could spell double trouble for defenses.

San Jose State: The Spartans always play the big boys tough. QB Scott Rislov will have six other starters back on offense.

UT-El Paso: The 2000 bowl season seems a long time ago, but seven home games this fall should help the Miners get back on their feet.

Tulsa: Tough road ahead for new coach Steve Kragthorpe, the former offensive coordinator at Texas A&M and North Texas.

— Keith Whitmire

[FloridaMustang]

I'll take a 5th place finish! This year at least

[DiamondM]

The WAC is really divided into 3 tiers this year, with Hawaii, Fresno, and Boise clearly the top three barring complete collapse or miracle seasons by other teams (including SMU). SMU falls into the middle tier with LaTech, Rice, and Nevada. Though Nevada has the edge, it seems that any one of these 4 could end up 4th and and one of them could end up 7th depending on how the breaks go throughout the season. Then there's San Jose, Tulsa, and UTEP. If we end up below any of these, it will be a disappointing season.

We do have Fresno and Boise at home, so that is a little advantage, and Rice is at home. But both Nevada and LaTech will be harder to beat at their place. I think if we finish 5th, it will be a good year for us.

[JasonB]

I wouldn't be so quick to put SJS in that bottom tier. Rice probably is in the bottom three this year instead.

[PonyTales]

JasonB's right -- don't sell San Jose short. They're too athletic to just write them off as an also-ran. Maybe they'll nosedive because of injuries, ineligibility, lack of discipline, etc., but they showed last year that with great athletes, they can do some damage.