WAC power poll: Week 12
November is halfway over, and the conference race is reaching a climax. Boise’s been firmly in control thus far and shows no signs of slowing down, while the usual suspects have fallen to the bottom of the pack again. The WAC, like the popular drama “24,” it would seem, is painfully predictable. Still, there’s some drama to consider this Saturday, including whether or not Utah State can make it an unprecedented three wins in a row, and whether or not Fresno State and Hawaii can make a good season a great one by staying on the winning path. And we’ll all be watching what doesn’t happen in the conference closely, as Boise State continues to hang its national title aspirations on the fate of three other Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.
Boise State (9-0, 5-0): In what could be the final match-up between the Broncos and the Vandals, Chris Petersen and his team held nothing back, blowing out the other Idaho team 52-14 on the heels of a 3-touchdown performance from quarterback Kellen Moore. Despite the win, the Broncos didn’t advance in the BCS standings, and are still fourth behind Oregon, Auburn and Texas Christian in the standings. If at least two of those three teams win out, then Boise State’s dream season could be all for naught, as the Broncos won’t likely play in the National Title game.
Nevada (9-1, 4-1): If you went out after Wednesday night’s basketball game and forgot to check the late night scores, then you missed a good one between Nevada and Fresno State, which went back and forth before the Wolf Pack came out on top 35-34. The Wolf Pack and Bulldogs were virtually deadlocked in every statistical category, but ultimately it was California-native Colin Kaepernick who lifted Nevada to a lead with 153 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Ranked No. 21 in the country, the team shouldn’t struggle too much against New Mexico St. this weekend, but the Nov. 26 showdown against Boise looms.
Hawaii (7-3, 5-1): The Warriors got the week off and to lick their wounds after the 42-7 thrashing they suffered to Boise State two weeks ago, but should get back on track this Saturday when they host the lowly San Jose State Spartans. Despite suffering their lowest statistical output in 12 years against Boise, Hawaii still has the nation’s top passing attack, and will play three teams with a combined five wins to finish off the year. Their reward? Another Sheraton Hawaii Bowl appearance in (gasp!) Honolulu.
Fresno State (6-3, 4-2): The Bulldogs may have hit a mid-season slump, but they’re one of the hottest WAC teams as of late, and gave Nevada all they could handle last Saturday night. 5-foot-7 sophomore Robbie Rouse has rushed for over 200 yards in back-to-back games, and has eight total touchdowns over the course of the last four games. At 6-3, the team is bowl eligible, but are they in position to make this a special year? Even if they don’t upset Boise St. this weekend, wins against Idaho and Illinois will go a long way toward positioning this team as next year’s WAC favorite.
Louisiana Tech (4-6, 3-3): The Bulldogs kept themselves alive in the bowl hunt with a 41-20 win at New Mexico State, and should get to five when they play San Jose State on Nov. 27. The Tech offense has found life with Ross Jenkins at the helm, but the team’s rush defense will have to have the game of the season if the Bulldogs are to upset Nevada – and make it to the postseason – in the finale.
Utah State (4-6, 2-6): Maybe I’m investing too much in back-to-back wins over New Mexico State and San Jose State, but Utah State is on a roll behind a resilient running game featuring senior Derrvin Speight. The Aggies are playing inspired right now. True, USU needed several miraculous plays to pull out the win against the Spartans, but as the team gains more confidence it can only improve. While the Aggies might be thinking a little too big when looking ahead to Boise State, I give Gary Andersen and company a decent shot over Idaho this Saturday.
Idaho (4-6, 1-4): I hate to say it, but Vandal signal caller Nathan Enderle might have come into the year as the most overrated player in the conference. Of course, Boise State’s defense can make anyone seem overrated, including Enderle, who threw two interceptions and hit on less than half of his passes in Idaho’s 52-14 home loss last Friday. Amazingly, Idaho’s porous pass defense played surprisingly well against Boise State (allowing just 225 yards) but as long as the Vandals continue to commit penalties and turnovers, they’ll find the postseason out of reach.
San Jose State (1-9, 0-5): I am convinced that San Jose State is not as bad as their 1-9 record indicates, especially not after nearly beating Utah State on Saturday. It’s the second straight game the Spartans have lost on the final play of the game, a point which either means A) God just hates them or B) this team has even worse luck than me at a blackjack table. If there is one saving grace from Saturday’s 38-32 loss, it’s that Jordan Le Secla has finally found a reliable target in Noel Grigsby.
New Mexico State (2-8, 1-5): It’s tough to say anything good about the Aggies right now, who’ve gone in reverse since a Oct. 30 win against San Jose state. Ranked in the bottom 20 in terms of passing offense and points scored, watching the Aggie offense operate is about as fascinating as watching the New Mexico desert. With games against Nevada and Hawaii remaining, a 2-10 season is all but assured.
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.