WAC Report: Week 8

Week 8 Wac Preview:

Light week in the WAC with only 3 games on the slate but that doesn’t mean it won’t be interesting.  The Hawaii vs. Utah St. match up could be one of the most explosive offensive matchups we can see in the country this season.  Also, Fresno St. is quietly putting a decent season together with only losses to Ole Miss and Hawaii on their record thus far.

Predictions for the week:   Look for Hawaii to win a shootout…Fresno St. keeps gaining some momentum against  San Jose St….and finally…not that anyone cares, but New Mexico St. will upset Idaho this weekend for their 2^nd win of the year.  Is it really any “upset” to beat Idaho??

Weekly Tid Bit:

The Nevada loss to Hawaii certainly did not help the conferences standing among the nation’s voters in the press or in the coaching ranks…come to think of it, the computers didn’t like it either.  Boise St. is about where I thought they would be, even though I don’t agree with it.  3^rd place is the perfect spot for them as far as the BCS is concerned.  High enough to throw them a bone, but out of the big game.  Ask yourself this…Have the top 2 teams done anything this year to surprise you, i.e. make you think they were better than they were in the Pre-season??  (Most importantly, have they won any games that they shouldn’t have?)  Then ask yourself, with the two teams that were ranked above Boise St. before the season losing, have the Broncos done anything to disappoint you, or make you think they weren’t as good as you originally thought??  Chew on it for a minute.

Conference Standings:

Team                           Conference                 Overall

Hawaii                                3-0                                       5-2

Boise St.                             1-0                                       5-0

Fresno St.                          2-1                                       4-2

Louisiana Tech                2-1                                       3-4

Nevada                               1-1                                       6-1

Idaho                                  0-1                                       3-3

Utah St.                              0-2                                       2-4

New Mexico St.                 0-2                                       1-5

San Jose St.                      0-2                                       1-6

Written by Rusty Pettit.  Follow him on Twitter @isbnrustypettit.

WAC Report: Week 7

Week 7 WAC Preview:

This won’t be the most telling week for a conference trying to gain recognition, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t learn some things.  The most intriguing matchup is when Nevada takes their 6-0 record to the islands to take on Hawaii.  The Warriors come in with the #1 rated passing attack in the country and the Wolfpack ranks 78^th against the pass. 

Though this game may not rank up there with Iowa vs. Michigan and other BCS showdowns this weekend, I believe it is crucial for the WAC.  The Nevada/Boise St. matchup at the end of the season will mean a lot more to computers and voters alike if the two teams are undefeated when they meet on Nov. 26^th.

Speaking of the Broncos, they should continue to roll against San Jose St. this weekend and remain at #3 in both polls…that is unless, either Oregon and Ohio St. are kind enough to take one on the chin.  By the way, with all the talk of Kellen Moore and the offense, it should not be over looked that coach Peterson owns the 2^nd ranked defense in the country.

Weekly Tid Bit:

As most people like to point to the overall strength of the conference as the main reason that the WAC doesn’t get very much national attention, it is important for teams like Hawaii and Fresno St. to make as much noise as possible to show more depth.  However, in my opinion, the team that had the best potential to do this was Utah St.  Too bad it didn’t play out that way…they were so close.

Conference Standings:

Team                           Conference                 Overall

Hawaii                                 2-0                                       4-2

Nevada                               1-0                                       6-0

Boise St.                             1-0                                       5-0

Fresno St.                           1-1                                       3-2

Louisiana Tech                  1-1                                       2-4

Idaho                                   0-0                                       3-2

Utah St.                               0-2                                       2-4

New Mexico St.                 0-1                                       1-4

San Jose St.                        0-1                                       1-5

Written by Rusty Pettit.  Follow him on Twitter @isbnRustyPettit.