Breaking down the WAC's story lines.
Boise State Broncos
Despite a tie for second place last year the Broncos were snubbed for the two WAC bowl tie-ins in favor of more glamorous Fresno State. That has stuck in their craw, and a selection by league media as the preseason favorite recognizes that. Quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie threw for 3,043 yards and 29 touchdowns a year ago and will team with all-WAC tailback Brock Forsey. Seven starters are also back on defense, where new coordinator Ron Collins looks to solidify the end positions. Punting could be a problem. A favorable schedule, which has the other top contenders coming to Boise, could be huge.
Fresno State Bulldogs
The departure of NFL No. 1 draft choice David Carr means junior Jeff Grady will get a chance to direct the Bulldogs' prolific offense. Five returning linemen, all of whom the school is pumping for postseason honors, and receiver Bernard Berrian give him a solid nucleus. If running back Derrick Ward, a freshman All-American in 1999, returns to form the offense could be just as good. End Nick Burley heads a defense that returns seven starters from a unit that led the WAC in scoring and rushing defense. Kicker Asen Asparuhov(cq) and punter Jason Simpson are back after first-team All-WAC honors in 2001.
Hawaii Warriors
The Warriors closed last season as the hottest team in the WAC, going 8-1 down the stretch, including wins over Fresno State and Brigham Young, both national ranked at the time. Six offensive starters are back as is quarterback Tommy Chang, who broke his wrist in the third game against Rice and got a medical redshirt. Guard Vincent Manuwai and wide receiver Chad Owens are other offensive standouts. Defense is a question, particularly at safety, where two starters must be replaced, and on the line. After sitting home with a 9-3 record last year, the Warriors now will make the new Hawai'i Bowl if eligible.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Fifteen starters are back, including quarterback Luke McCown (3,665 yards, 29 TDs), the best bet to fill the post-David Carr star vacuum. He lost two of his top receivers, meaning returnee D.J. Curry and running back Joe Smith will get a bigger chance to shine. Shoring up the line and secondary are keys on defense. Tech continues to schedule over its head in the non conference -- they visit Clemson, Texas A&M and Penn State and play Oklahoma State in Shreveport -- which it hopes will pay off in conference play. Playing only one of the first seven games in Ruston won't make it easier.
Nevada Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack scored a coup last year when lightly recruited Chance Kretschmer led the nation in rushing with 1,732 yards, breaking Marshall Faulk's WAC freshman record. With an experienced team that includes 11 three-year starters, Nevada hopes to score a similar coup in the league standings. Senior Zach Threadgill replaces is four-year regular quarterback David Neill, one of only three starters the Pack must replace. Top priority is tightening a defense that returns 10 starters but gave up 39 points and 494 yards a game last fall. The move of Jorge Cordova from middle linebacker to end will be worth watching.
Rice Owls
The Owls, whose 8-4 record was the school's best in 48 years, started fast last season only to fade down the stretch, something they hope to reverse this year. With eight new starters on offense, including all five linemen and the tight end, the Owls offense will need time to gel. Quarterback Kyle Herm returns to trigger the option attack, though with talented receivers in former quarterback Jeremy Hurd and Gavin Boothe. The Owls defense, small but active, returns seven starters, including first-team All-WAC end Brandon Green. Rebuilding the linebacking corps will be key.
San Jose Spartans
Second-year Coach Fitz Hill is neck deep in a rebuilding job, with only 63 scholarship players and seven starters back off a team that went 3-9 last year. The Spartans went heavily on JUCO players in recruiting, signing 17. Fifth-year senior Marcus Arroyo is being challenged by junior Scott Rislov for the starting quarterback job. No starters return on the defensive line or at linebacker, making rebuilding a defense that gave up 500.8 yards a game a priority. A harsh schedule, which features non-league games at Washington, Stanford, Illinois and Ohio State, won't make it any easier.
SMU Mustangs
Phil Bennett, the only new head coach in the league, will bring the attack philosophy that he used as defensive coordinator at Kansas State. It will help that speedy cornerbacks Jonas Rutledge, a first-team All-WAC pick, and Kevin Garrett return. Getting a pass rush from two new starters at end will be key. On offense the Ponies must replace only two starters, one at quarterback after 2001 starter David Page had to quit to take a job to support his family. Kelan Luker, Tate Wallis and Richard Bartel will battle for the job. Sophomore running back ShanDerrick(cq) Charles will be the focal point of the offense.
Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
The Golden Hurricane hopes a youth movement that saw freshmen or sophomores hold down 62 of their 88 roster spots pays off this year with an improvement over last year's 1-10 mark. New offensive coordinator Dan Lounsbury will try to build a more balanced two-back offense around seven returning starters. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Gooch won the job in the spring. If healthy, junior Eric Richardson heads a crowded running back battle. Defensively the Hurricane is very young on the line around nose guard Sam Rayburn and must cut down on big plays while creating more turnovers.
UTEP Miners
The Miners had high hopes last year only to flop, losing five of their nine losses by 25 or more points. Halfback Sherman Austin is the sole returnee among offensive skill players. Quarterback recruit Jordan Palmer, younger brother of USC's Carson Palmer, could get a shot to challenge starter Jon Schaper.
New defensive coordinator Troy Reffett reinstalled the 4-2 alignment with hopes it would tighten a Miners defense that allowed the opponent to score at least three unanswered touchdowns in eight games. Ten starters are back, including D.J. Walker, the only Miner to earn first or second-team All-WAC honors.
