COLUMN: The improving WAC … all of a sudden

So far this season, I would like to say I have received good reaction for my columns. Good amounts of the local clientele think I put a good spin on the viewpoint of our fan base.
    However, there does happen to be a few who aren’t pleased with the way things are run in this office. Often times I am labeled as a “homer” or a biased fan because I commonly put together pieces overtly supporting local sports teams with a tone that generally belongs during the climactic points of sports films or any films starring Tommy Lee Jones.
    Well, for those naysayers, I have refreshing news for you: This isn’t completely one of those columns.
    How is that possible, you ask? Simple – it’s because it isn’t entirely about Utah State football. It is also about the conference which said school encompasses.
    If you have been taking a close look or two, you would notice that the Western Athletic Conference has experienced a bit of makeover over the years, some for the good and others for the incredibly inconvenient: Some so inconvenient, there are chances football is beginning its long-contemplated swansong after a barrage of realignments and astute program exoduses.
    It doesn’t sound fun, does it? The interesting fact behind it all is that a once lowly football conference on the near verge of giving up the one sport that could potentially matter in collegiate life more than any other facet in school – including school itself – just doesn’t seem to be giving up.
    It all makes sense from the viewpoint of an Aggie. The football season began with a team that had every ounce of promise and potential to make some serious noise in the college football world – and in one way or another, they have.
    After dealing with consistent in-state rivals and conference bullies, many fans were relieved for the Aggies to finally reach conference play and coast their way to easy success, a conference title and a bowl game outside of the Intermountain West.
    Not so fast.
    Don’t look now, but somehow the planets have aligned to teach fans a recognizably abnormal lesson – the WAC is no cupcake after all.
    Sure, USU comes into conference play with a small handful of teams that, all things considered, should be no problem to chalk up a successful outing, but not before facing off with three teams who have every means to make life just as miserable as they can enjoyable for the Aggies.
    We understand what this means for USU, but it is just as vital to note what this means for the WAC. Suddenly, a conference ready to bolt and make room as a strictly basketball conference has seen some teams stick it to the bigger guys.
    Suddenly, these farm-country institutions have gained their own form of swagger, breaking polls, making headlines and giving more preeminent teams a scare. No longer are we just “Boise State and those other schools,” but a class group of teams who, if given time, can make some serious noise.
    So maybe it’s no Southeastern Conference dominance, but for us, it’s huge. For us, it’s bigger than football. It’s the “Revenge of the Nerds.” It’s rising in hope that the old-timey heroes can be overtaken by us little guys, and whether it comes to an end soon or not, it’s got us excited.

    – Steve Schwartzman is a senior studying communication studies. He has had just about every job in sports writing, including blogs, analysis, statistics and fantasy football tips, but he especially loves making bold picks. Got any comments? Let him know: steve.schwartzman@aggiemail.usu.edu.