Adam’s WAC Power Poll: Week 9
While the rest of college football saw upsets a-plenty Saturday, the Western Athletic Conference shakedown in week eight proved decisively less earth-shattering. Another week brought another two Aggie losses (Utah State and New Mexico State) and another big Boise State win. What does this weekend have in store? Lots of exciting action, including a match-up between the countdown’s two-top rated teams in the conference.
Boise State (7-0, 3-0): How’s this for dominance? The Broncos played arguably their sloppiest game of the year on Tuesday night, but still managed to beat Louisiana Tech 49-20. Detractors love to nitpick about Boise State’s schedule, but when it comes to getting the job done, head coach Chris Petersen’s team executes. Not only have the Broncos beaten No. 23 Virginia Tech and PAC-10 member Oregon State, they’ve beaten the remaining opponents on their schedule by an average score of 54-5. Boise State may currently be third in the BCS standings behind Oregon and Auburn, but with both the Ducks and the Tigers facing grueling stretches in their respective conference slates, the Broncos are sitting pretty in their quest to make the BCS national title game.
Hawaii (6-2, 4-0): All week the Warriors had to hear about how the weather and altitude of Logan, Utah would slow down their high-powered attack. Then, amidst a furious rainstorm, the Warriors dismissed those doubts by pounding USU 45-7. Not even rain could stop Hawaii from amassing 605 total yards against Utah State. If 6-foot-2, 230-pound running back Alex Green can run anything like he did against Utah State when the Warriors travel to Boise Nov. 6, then the Warriors may just have a chance to pull off the upset of the year.
Nevada (6-1, 1-1): The nation’s sixth ranked rushing attack had a week to lick its wounds after a loss to Hawaii two weeks ago, but the Wolf Pack should get back on track when they host Utah State this weekend. Still, one has to wonder if quarterback Colin Kaepernick isn’t in the middle of a senior slump. After starting the season hot, the former Heisman darkhorse has thrown an interception in four straight games, and hasn’t rushed for over 100 yards since Sept. 17. Nevertheless, now that the pressure of a national ranking is off, he and his team could be in for a second-half run at the WAC title.
Fresno State (5-2, 3-1): The Bulldogs couldn’t have been any more dominant in early season wins against Cincinnati and Utah State, but last Saturday’s 33-18 win over San Jose State wasn’t as impressive as Bulldog fans would’ve liked. Ryan Colburn may have looked like the second coming of David Carr earlier in the year, but he’s thrown just two touchdowns (compared to three interceptions) in the past three games. Looking for an upset pick this week? Don’t say I didn’t warn you: Fresno State will struggle against Louisiana Tech.
Idaho (4-3, 1-1): Don’t be fooled by the 37-14 final score – Idaho’s win over New Mexico State was anything but close. The Vandals put together their most dominant first-half performance of the year, scoring 31 unanswered points behind quarterback Nathan Enderle, who finished the game with 291 yards and three touchdowns passing. But it was Idaho’s pass defense – much maligned all season – which really came to play, limiting Aggie quarterback Matt Christian to just eight completions on 29 attempts. 118 penalty yards are disconcerting, especially going into a three game stretch against Hawaii, Nevada, and Boise State.
Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-2): The Bulldogs join the growing list of WAC teams to lose to Boise, but Sonny Dykes’ team put up quite a fight in Tuesday’s 49-20 loss. The Bulldogs put up nearly 400 yards of total offense against Boise’s usually stingy defense, and got solid play from quarterback Ross Jenkins. With dynamic receiver Phillip Livas back in the lineup, Tech’s offense should only improve from here on out, giving the Bulldogs the opportunity to get back into the bowl picture with a home game against Fresno State on Saturday.
Utah State (2-5, 0-3): The Aggies are falling fast in the countdown, and Saturday’s second-half collapse at home didn’t help. Not only has Utah State’s offense ground to a halt, but the team has been pushed around on both the offensive and defensive lines, and committed too many mistakes in back to back losses to even be thinking bowl game. The only thing more disconcerting than the team’s 58 rushing yards against Hawaii is the Aggies’ propensity to fail to capitalize on other teams’ mistakes.
New Mexico State (1-6, 0-3): After the high point of their season three weeks ago in a win against the University of New Mexico, the Aggies have lost their last two games by a combined 70-24 score. The team is second to last in the country in scoring – in front of, conveniently enough, conference foe San Jose State. Are the Aggies worse than the Spartans? We’ll find out Saturday, when the two teams square off in Las Cruces.
San Jose State (1-7, 0-3): The Spartans saw a veritable offensive explosion in their 33-18 loss to Fresno State last weekend, with Jordan Le Secla throwing for the most yards (292) he has all season. San Jose actually played a relatively mistake-free game, although 12 net rushing yards don’t look to good in the final stat book. Don’t look now, but a win over New Mexico State on Saturday might not be that far-fetched.
Got beef with my picks? Think I missed the mark? We want to hear from you. Drop me a line at adam.nettina@aggiemail.usu.edu.