Aggies Also Picked Tied For Seventh In WAC Coaches’ Preseason Poll

BOISE, Idaho – A day after being picked seventh in the Western Athletic Conference preseason media poll, the WAC coaches’ poll tabbed Utah State tiedfor seventh in the poll released Wednesday as part of the conference media day.

The Aggies collected 18 points to tie Idaho for the seventh spot in the nine-team poll. Four-time defending champion Boise State was picked as the preseason favorite, receiving five first-place votes on the way to 61 points, just edging Fresno State, who got the top spot nod on four ballots and garnered 59 points. Nevada, who tied Boise State for the conference crown last season, was chosen third with 48 points. Hawai’i was fourth with 43 points, followed by Louisiana Tech (39), San Jose State (25), Utah State and Idaho (18), while New Mexico State was ninth with 13 points.

The only difference in the rankings of Wednesday’s coaches’ poll and the media poll that was released Tuesday is the separation of Utah State and Idaho, asthe Aggies were picked seventh and the Vandals eighth, while the other seven teams were ranked in the same spots.

“We cannot sit and harp on what other people think, our fate and destiny is in our hands,” junior quarterback Leon Jackson III said. “Coach Guy has instilledin us the goal to be in bowl contention this season. We want to be in every game with the opportunity to win in the fourth quarter.”

Jackson is the only signal-caller on the Aggies’ roster to have played last season, throwing for 1,547 yards with eight TDs. He set a new single-season school record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 328 yards and one TD.

Last year the Aggies were 3-8 overall, including a 2-6 mark in the WAC. USU defeated San Jose State at home and New Mexico State on the road a year agofor its two league wins. The Aggies also almost knocked off co-champion Nevada before falling 30-24 in the 10th game of the year.

USU will open its season with four straight non-conference games including at Wyoming, at Arkansas, home against Utah and at Brigham Young before openingleague play with two straight home games against Idaho and Fresno State.

Season tickets are available on-line at www.utahstateaggies.com, by calling toll free at 1-888-U-STATE1 or (435) 797-0305 or at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

WAC COACHES’ POLLRank – Team (1st Place Votes) – Points1. Boise State (5) – 612. Fresno State (4) – 593. Nevada – 484. Hawai’i – 435. Louisiana Tech – 396. San Jose State – 25T7. Idaho – 18T7. Utah State – 189. New Mexico State – 13