2008 WAC Predictions

With QB Colt Brennan and head coach June Jones moving on from the university of Hawaii, it looks like their will be a new champion in the WAC. Find out who Jeff Alexander has winning it all in his 2008 WAC predictions.

1st Place – Boise State Broncos

The WAC title could very well come down to a November 28th showdown with Fresno State in the last game of the regular season. Since that game is on the blue turf, I’m giving the Broncos the edge. With a strong running game and the league’s toughest defense, Boise State is the team to beat in 2008. The betting line on regular season wins for Boise State is Over/Under 9 at BetUS.com.

2nd Place – Fresno State Bulldogs

With 10 offensive starters returning and the best two-back system in the league (Ryan Matthews and Clifton Smith) the Bulldogs will house the best offense in the WAC. Only six defensive starters return, and the loss of 2007 WAC Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Riley will not be filled.

3rd Place – Nevada Wolf Pack

The top two teams in this league can really score so the fact that Nevada’s defense allowed more than 30 points a game last season is a big problem. QB Colin Kaepernick and running back Luke Lippincott will keep this team competitive despite its defensive deficiencies.

4th Place – Hawaii Warriors

With the loss of Colt Brennan and a talented group of receivers, Hawaii is going to struggle to gel offensively. Its defense will be the story in 2008 and the thing that keeps the Warriors in the top half of the league.

5th Place – New Mexico State Aggies

Chase Holbrook is my preseason choice for First Team All-WAC QB. Like most WAC teams, the Aggies have offense, but no defense to go with it. A unit which allowed over 36 points per game and just under 430 yards per game will hold them back.

6th Place – San Jose State Spartans

The Spartans could not make it back-to-back bowl as they slid below the .500 mark in 2007. There is still enough talent here for the Spartans to work themselves back to the winning side of the ledger in 2008, but they’ll have to win close games to get it done – something which normally takes an experienced QB. That’s a luxury the Spartans don’t have.

7th Place – Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

It’s always tough for the West Coast teams to go across the country to the bayou, but Tech’s home field advantage likely won’t matter much as its defense has far too many holes. I don’t see this team winning many, if any, on the road, and having to play Fresno State and Nevada at home is no easy draw.

8th Place – Idaho Vandals

The Vandals don’t have the talent that the upper echelon teams in this league are housing and that makes it difficult to be competitive. The Vandals enter the 2008 season on a 10-game losing streak. They better take advantage of games at home with Idaho State and Western Michigan because the rest of the schedule is looking mighty tough.

9th Place – Utah State Aggies

Speaking of rough schedules, the Aggies have seven games with teams who played in bowls last season. Improvement will not be seen by looking at Utah State’s record.

2008 WAC Predictions

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