WAC power poll: Week 9
With a little more than a month left to go in the college football regular season, both the bowl picture and the race for the national title are starting to take shape. The Broncos continue to be the class of the conference with their nation-leading, 21-game winning streak, but an off week saw them drop from No. 3 to No. 4 in the BCS poll. Both Nevada and Hawaii continued their winning ways, while Idaho and Louisiana Tech proved that making the postseason will require some extra effort this November. But of all the stories from week nine, the biggest news out of the WAC may be the announcement that Nevada and Fresno State will be required to play through the 2012 academic year – giving WAC commissioner Karl Benson valuable time needed to explore expansion opportunities. Here’s where I see the WAC’s nine teams heading into the month.
Boise State (7-0, 3-0): After a strong start to a season which saw the Broncos make headlines with wins over Virginia Tech and Oregon State, many analysts have turned on Boise, which has not notched a win over a winning team since an Oct. 9 win against 6-3 Toledo. AP voters still like the Broncos (ranking them No. 2 in the latest AP Poll) but the BCS computers favor Oregon, Auburn and Texas Christian. Fortunately for the Broncos, they’ll have the opportunity to show the nation they’re the real deal this weekend when they host a Hawaii team that has won six straight. Still, if Oregon and Auburn keep on winning, then the Broncos can kiss a national championship berth goodbye.
Hawaii (7-2, 5-0): Is there a better story than the Warriors? After just missing the postseason last year, Hawaii has already accepted a bowl berth this year; the team agreed to go to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl after its most recent victory. Hawaii’s offense proved prolific as usual in Saturday’s 45-10 drubbing of Idaho, with Bryant Moniz becoming the fifth passer in school history to break 3,000 passing yards in a season. While the Warriors offense proved potent as usual, they were fortunate that Idaho made a number of mistakes in Saturday’s game, including 152 yards in penalties and four turnovers. The Warriors won’t get any such benefit against Boise this weekend.
Nevada (7-1, 2-1): Currently ranked No. 23 in the BCS standings and No. 25 in the AP poll, Nevada’s first-half offensive explosion against USU was a sight to behold. The second half defensive collapse, however, causes one to question the mental focus of a team still disappointed from losing to Hawaii three weeks ago. Nevada is still in position to make a late season run and secure a spot in a second-tier bowl game, but after allowing Diondre Borel to pass for 399 yards in Saturday’s game, does the Wolf Pack defense stand much of a chance when they travel to the smurf turf Nov. 26?
Fresno State (5-2, 3-1): The Bulldogs were off last week, but have arguably the most challenging late season stretch of the WAC’s nine teams. A three-game stretch including games at Louisiana Tech, at home against Nevada, and away in Boise could all end up being losses for Pat Hill’s bunch, while a season finale against Illinois is no cakewalk. Injuries have started to mount for the Bulldogs, but the good news is running back Robbie Rouse is back to full strength. Don’t look now, but he’s rushed for over 250 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games.
Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-2): Give credit to first year headman Sonny Dykes: he’s found his quarterback in Ross Jenkins, and the senior has done an admirable job since taking over. Not only has he completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, but he’s hit seven touchdowns to only two picks. Jenkins did a decent job managing the game against a very good Boise State defense, and with an extra week to prepare, he and the Bulldogs have an excellent chance at upsetting Fresno State this Saturday.
Idaho (4-4, 2-1): Color me not impressed by the Vandals, who have the dubious distinction of alternating between wins and losses with each additional game this season (although, after a loss in week nine, that twisted logic would tell us they upset Nevada this week). The problem with Idaho is that they’re far too one-dimensional on offense, and have no running game whatsoever. A team can get away with that when the quarterback hasn’t tossed 12 interceptions in a season (as Nathan Enderle has) or when its offensive line isn’t allowed nearly four sacks per game. With Nevada, Boise State and Fresno State left on the schedule, a bowl is looking increasingly unrealistic.
Utah State (2-6, 0-4): Only USU’s second-half offensive explosion keeps the Aggies ahead of New Mexico State in this week’s countdown, as the team from Logan may have found a reliable pass-catching threat in tight end Kellen Bartlett. Still, USU’s injury attrition has taken it’s toll, and as the Aggies limp into November, head coach Gary Andersen’s promise of making the rest of the year a “four game season” doesn’t bode well with matchups against Boise State and Idaho left.
New Mexico State (2-6, 1-3): The good news for Aggie fans? The team has two wins. The bad news for Aggie fans? Those two wins came against arguably the worst two teams in college football (New Mexico and San Jose State). New Mexico State may have bested San Jose State on Saturday by a final score of 29-27, but it took touchdown pass from Matt Christian to Taveon Rogers with no time left on the clock to do it.
San Jose State (1-8, 0-4): When you lose the best game you played all season, and it comes against one of the five worst teams in college football, then yes, you may indeed be San Jose State.
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.