2008 WAC Conference Predictions
Written July 21, 2008 by Jason Lowry
If you are looking for a closer look at the upcoming football season, then take a look at Jason Lowry’s 2008 WAC Conference football predictions. The WAC has sent a team to a BCS Bowl game each of the last two seasons, with Boise State’s incredible win over Oklahoma in 2007, and then last year Hawaii took on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. While this conference isn’t a big power house like the SEC or PAC 10, it is starting to create a lot more competitive teams over the last few year. Here is a look at how we see the 9 team conference playing out this season.
1) Boise State Broncos
The Broncos have been a force in the WAC over the last 6 years, and we think that this team is ready for another big run this season, but they will be counting on the young arm of redshirt freshman Kellen Moore to lead this team. The Broncos are 46-2 in conference play since 2002, so its hard to argue with them at No. 1. Boise State odds to win National Championship +10000
2) Fresno State Bulldogs
We really like what we see in Fresno State this season, as they bring back 17 starters to a team that was 9-4 a year ago. This team has a tough non-conference schedule that has them playing Rutgers, Wisconsin,and UCLA in their first 4 games of the year. We think they upset at least one of those teams, and could be ready for a showdown with Boise State for the title in the final game of the regular season on Nov. 28.
3) Hawaii Warriors
The Warriors were last year’s surprise team, but they lost a lot of talent and only return 8 starters this season. They have to play both Fresno State and Boise State on the road, so you can count out any upset win over the top two teams, but we do think this team is good enough to beat up on the rest of the conference.
4) Nevada Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack could make some noise this season as they return 8 starters to an explosive offense that gained over 500 yards and put up nearly 40 points a game last season. If the defense can pick it up a little this year, this team could make a run in the WAC, including a big game at home against Boise State late in the year.
5) San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans could be the surprise team of the conference this year, as they have plenty of the pieces to put together a winning season. While we don’t think they will be consistent enough to be in the top 3 of this conference, we think an upset could be in the making against Fresno State or Boise State at home.
6) New Mexico State Aggies
The Aggies do return 14 starters this season, but they were near the bottom on both the offense and defensive side of things last year in conference play. They do have one of the best quarterbacks in the conference in senior Chase Holbrook, but we don’t think it will be enough to keep them out of the bottom half of the WAC.
7) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The Bulldogs pulled off a 5-7 season last year after many thought they were destined to be at the very bottom of the WAC. While they finished 4-4 a year ago for a tie for 4th in conference play, we just don’t think they can dig themselves out of the bottom again this year.
Idaho Vandals
The Vandals are right there with Utah State for worst team in the WAC, as they failed to win a single conference game last year. The offense brings back 10 starters so there is hope that this team can put some more points on the board, and we think they will be able to put together enough wins to stay out of the bottom of the WAC.
9) Utah State Aggies
The Aggies are our pick to hold down the bottom of the WAC this season, as they not only have holes to fill at the quarterback position, they are weak on both the offense and defensive line as well. We think the Aggies will be lucky to put a win on the board this season in conference play.
If you are looking for a great place to do all your WAC Conference betting, head over to Sportsbook.com and get an account started today. Also be sure to check out all of Jason Lowry’s team and conference predictions for the upcoming season.