WAC POWER POLL: WEEK 13
The WAC season comes down to its final day of action this Saturday, but the conference title looks like it will be split among Boise State, Hawaii, and Nevada. As for the Aggies, well, at least they didn’t lose this week.
Nevada (11-1, 6-1): To the victor go the spoils, and after upsetting then-No. 4 Boise State on Friday night, Nevada earns the top spot in the poll. We all knew that Chris Ault’s team was good, but who among us thought the Wolf Pack resilient enough to come back from 17 points down at the half to beat arguably the best non-BCS team of the decade? I sure didn’t, but with a high powered offense and underrated defense, Nevada is going to make one “big name” team cry this bowl season.
Boise State (10-1, 6-1): I’ll be honest – I nearly kept Boise State on top this week. Yes, they lost to Nevada and likely won’t win the WAC title outright, but it’s not like Chris Petersen’s team lost decisively. In fact, Boise – playing on the road – should have beaten Nevada, and came within a chip shot field goal of doing so. Nine times out of 10, I think the Broncos still beat the Wolf Pack, but unfortunately for the folks in Idaho, that one time reared its head on Friday night.
Hawaii (9-3, 7-1): A year after not even making the postseason, Hawaii appears on its way to sharing the WAC title with Nevada and Boise State after drilling New Mexico State last weekend 59-24. In a conference of predictability, Hawaii has been a big surprise, especially after being picked to finish seventh by members of the media in the preseason poll. Hawaii running back Alex Green might be the conference’s best kept secret, accounting for a school-record 327 on the grounds Saturday.
Fresno State (7-4, 5-3): It’s the same old story in Fresno, where Pat Hill’s Bulldogs have notched another winning season and bowl berth. This time it was assured with a narrow 23-20 win against Idaho, as the Bulldogs withstood a late Idaho comeback to take the lead with 14 seconds left when running back A.J. Ellis dove into the end zone for a touchdown. Four Fresno turnovers almost outdid the Bulldogs, while a rib injury to starting running back Robbie Rouse isn’t going to help the team next week against Illinois.
Louisiana Tech (5-6, 4-3): Sonny Dykes’ team still has postseason life after fending off 1-11 San Jose State on Saturday, although the Bulldogs will have to beat Nevada next week to keep that slim pulse going. Dykes’ offense moved the ball with stunning efficiency, but the team is likely to struggle defensively against Nevada’s pistol attack this week.
Idaho (5-7, 2-5): Last year’s surprise team will not have a winning record this year, as Idaho’s furious comeback attempt against Fresno State was spoiled in the closing seconds. After a great start to the season the Vandal defense has shut down in recent weeks, and managed just 210 total yards against Fresno in the loss. If Nathan Enderle’s ho-hum, 197-yard, one-interception evening doesn’t attest to that, than surely the 13 yards Idaho gained on the ground do. With nothing left to play for except pride, I would not be too surprised if the Vandals were upset by San Jose State this weekend.
Utah State (4-7, 2-5): It’s been a season of “couldas” in Logan, but that doesn’t change the fact that Gary Andersen and the Aggies are still 4-7, and outside of Idaho, perhaps the WAC’s biggest disappointment. The team looked dead at home against Idaho two weeks ago, and now gets the unfortunate responsibility of playing a Boise team that is sure to take out its frustration after losing to Nevada last week. But there is a silver lining – USU’s youth. Diondre Borel may not be coming back next year, but because of the injuries suffered this year, the Aggies should be more veteran next year.
San Jose State (1-11, 0-7): Yes, the Spartans may go winless in WAC play and against Football Bowl Subdivision teams, but they’ve been playing tough the past few weeks. Quarterback Jordan Le Secla has suddenly become the second coming of Peyton Manning, and thrashed the Louisiana Tech defense for nearly 500 passing yards in last weekend’s loss. Mike MacIntrye is a defensive-minded coach, and if the offense can find its way in the offseason, San Jose State may actually manage to win more than a single game next year.
New Mexico State (2-10, 1-7): There’s not a lot of spin I can put on this one: The Aggies are just a very, very bad team. Aside from a close loss to Utah State and a win earned on the final play from scrimmage against San Jose State, the team hasn’t even been competitive in WAC play. Good luck, DeWayne Walker, trying to sell this program to potential recruits – I hear Las Cruces isn’t exactly fun central.