NCAA Football
2008 WAC Preview Part II: Key Games, Impact Newcomers, and All-Conference Picks
After giving my take on the WAC race and how I think the standings will shake out in 2008 in Part I of the 2008 WAC preview, I break down some of the key games and new names, along with giving my All-WAC picks and award winners in Part II.
Key Games
There are several notable non-conference matchups involving WAC teams.
If you’ve read my BCS busters article from last month, I have Boise St. and Fresno St. as potential BCS busters. To do so, they not only have to make an unbeaten run through the WAC, but also win some key non-conference games.
The Broncos face off against Bowling Green, one of the MAC favorites, Southern Mississippi, and Oregon, while the Bulldogs have games against BCS conference teams Rutgers, Wisconsin, and UCLA.
Hawaii and Louisiana Tech open their seasons against SEC foes, as the Warriors start the Greg McMackin era with a trio national title contender Florida, while Louisiana Tech hosts Mississippi State.
As for key conference games, the one many WAC fans might have circled is Fresno State’s trip to Boise on Nov. 28, a game that will likely decide the WAC title. However, BSU will first have to survive a trip to Nevada the week before their epic matchup against FSU. Last season, the teams had a 69-67, four-overtime thriller in Boise, in which the teams combined for 1,266 yards (Nevada 639, Boise 627).
Fresno State has a tough road trip as well, as the Bulldogs have to go to Ruston to face Louisiana Tech on Nov. 1.
Impact Newcomers
Louisiana Tech lost experienced QB Zac Champion, but the Bulldogs gained an experienced D-1 QB in former Georgia Tech QB Taylor Bennett, who transferred after last season but will immediately be eligible.
Speaking of QB’s, while Tyler Graunke and Inoke Funaki seem to have the leg up on the starting job at Hawaii, highly touted JC recruit Greg Alexander will have a say in the battle.
New Mexico State loses a tackling machine in middle linebacker Dante Floyd, but his replacement should do well, in four-star recruit Nick Paden, who comes in at a solid 6′3, 235 and packs a lot of punch in that frame.
San Jose State’s defense gets a big boost in 2008, with USC transfer Jeff Schweiger looking to make the most of his one season as a Spartan. Schweiger showed a lot of promise as a freshman in 2004, but thanks in part to injuries, Schweiger didn’t get a full chance to show what he could do in his three seasons at USC. With his terrific size, Schweiger could be a difference-maker for the Spartans defense. Former Oregon State cornerback Coye Francies should also prove to be a one-year wonder with San Jose State, as he’s slated to fill Dwight Lowery’s spot in the secondary.
While Boise State is set at the linebacker position with Kyle Gingg, Tim Brady, and Dallas Dobbs, but four-star recruit Daron Mackey should be a pivotal part of the Broncos’ depth at the position.
Idaho took some big hits on defense, but Robb Akey picked up a key recruit in former Cal defensive back (and cousin of Buffalo Bills RB Marshawn Lynch) Virdell Larkins, who made the jump back to the top flight after a stint in JC. Larkins made an immediate impression in the spring and should be the starting free safety, forming a talented duo with star strong safety Shiloh Keo.
Chastin West isn’t exactly a newcomer or an unknown, but he did miss all of 2007 due to injury after leading Fresno State in receiving in 2006. His return can’t do anything but help an offense that should already be explosive.
Nevada could see an immediate contribution from incoming freshman Thaddeus Brown, who starred at running back in high school, but will be a cornerback in college. In his post-signing day comments, coach Chris Ault spoke very highly of Brown as a defensive back, and don’t be surprised if he makes an early impact in the secondary.
All-WAC Team
QB: Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
RB: Ian Johnson, Boise State
RB: Luke Lippincott, Nevada
WR: Jeremy Childs, Boise State
WR: Marko Mitchell, Nevada
WR: Chris Williams, New Mexico State
TE: Bear Pascoe, Fresno State
OL: John Estes, Hawaii
OL: Andrew Woodruff, Boise State
OL: Mike Iupati, Idaho
OL: John Bender, Nevada
OL: Kris Anderson, Idaho
DL: David Veikune, Hawaii
DL: Mike Williams, Boise State
DL: Jon Monga, Fresno State
DL: D’Anthony Smith, Louisiana Tech
LB: Solomon Elimimian, Hawaii
LB: Adam Leonard, Hawaii
LB: Quin Harris, Louisiana Tech
LB: Jake Hutton, Utah State
DB: Chris Owens, San Jose State
DB: Kyle Wilson, Boise State
DB: Shiloh Keo, Idaho
DB: Antonio Baker, Louisiana Tech
Kicker: Dan Kelly, Hawaii
Punter: Chris Keagle, Louisiana Tech
Kick Returner: A.J. Jefferson, Fresno State
All-Purpose: Malcolm Lane, Hawaii
Player of the Year: Antonio Baker, Louisiana Tech
Offensive Player of the Year: Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
Defensive Player of the Year: Antonio Baker, Louisiana Tech
Newcomer of the Year: Taylor Bennett, Louisiana Tech
Coach of the Year: Derek Dooley, Louisiana Tech
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no Tech Bulldogs on All-Wac offense? I’m going to say Cruz Williams at WR and Dennis Morris at TE…
also look out for Phillip Livas at KR and Brannon Jackson at MLB.