WAC Media Day Observation
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:24 amAfter listening to the media day replay of June Jones, Pat Hill & Dan Hawkins (my opinion of the top 3 teams in the WAC), you get the sense they don't fear the Mustangs nearly as much as other conference foes. When each was asked which teams do you believe to be the conference dark horse for the upcoming season they offered the following answers: Jones mentioned SJSU (huge returning, depth-laden o-line w/ good RB's, UTEP (Price effect) & Rice (good system, returning nucleus), Hill mentioned UTEP (Price effect & cupboard not bare), Rice (big Hatfield fan) & Tulsa (upcoming), and Hawkins stated UTEP (Price effect).
The observations from conference coaches are a good indicator of where we stand on a talent basis and it looks like we still have quite a way to go.
Also, coach Hill mentioned that the quality of WAC football should be duly noted. During the past six years the winningest football programs have been - Oklahoma, Boise St., Texas, USC, Fresno St. & Hawaii (based solely on W's alone, but forgot the specific order). That's an impressive feat for the conference we're about to leave with 3 of the top 6.
The observations from conference coaches are a good indicator of where we stand on a talent basis and it looks like we still have quite a way to go.
Also, coach Hill mentioned that the quality of WAC football should be duly noted. During the past six years the winningest football programs have been - Oklahoma, Boise St., Texas, USC, Fresno St. & Hawaii (based solely on W's alone, but forgot the specific order). That's an impressive feat for the conference we're about to leave with 3 of the top 6.