| Be prepared to hear quite a bit about the | | | | drubbing UAB 59-40 for their third bowl win |
| Western Athletic Conference this year. Just | | | | in the last six years. Chang left college as |
| as Utah made a commanding run into the BCS | | | | the NCAA's all-time leading passer, topping |
| Top Five last season out of the lowly | | | | Ty Detmer's mark by over 2,000 yards. Also |
| Mountain West, the WAC features a pair of | | | | gone is WR Chad Owens, who tallied 22 |
| clubs that could do some serious damage to | | | | touchdowns in '04.Strengths: Coach June Jones |
| the bowl hopes of schools in the major | | | | insists that all five of his offensive |
| conferences.According to the USA Today | | | | starters this year along the offensive line |
| preseason poll, the WAC is home to two of the | | | | will be in the NFL at some point. Yeah, he's |
| top 26 teams in the country. Boise State is | | | | probably blowing smoke, but there is some |
| currently ranked No. 19 in the nation, and | | | | talent there. The best of the lot is 6-foot-2 |
| Fresno State is No. 26. Fresno State is a | | | | guard Samson Satele. Also, after hiring |
| mere four points out of the Top 25 (188 pts. | | | | run-and-shoot godfather Mouse Davis to coach |
| to Pittsburgh's 192 pts.). Not too | | | | special teams in '04, Jones brought in Jerry |
| shabby.Boise State has a chance to make its | | | | Glanville to coach up the defense.Weakness: |
| presence felt on the national scene early on | | | | Even Jones admits that this is a rebuilding |
| this fall. The Broncos travel to face SEC | | | | year. Besides their quarterback, Hawaii waved |
| powerhouse Georgia in Athens on Sept. 3. If | | | | goodbye to its four leading receivers. |
| they manage to win that game, they should be | | | | Glanville will be good for some ridiculous |
| undefeated by the time the square off against | | | | quotes, but can he improve the 112th-ranked |
| the Bulldogs in early November.As for the | | | | defense? They gave up an absurd 252 yards per |
| rest of the conference, three Sun Belt | | | | game on the ground last year. Also, their |
| refugees have made their way into the mix - | | | | schedule is brutal with USC, Michigan State |
| New Mexico State, Idaho and Utah State. None | | | | and Wisconsin on the on-conference slate.Best |
| of those teams figure to factor much in the | | | | Bet: Nov. 25, 2005 vs. Wisconsin. The |
| mix, but each are trying to establish a base | | | | Warriors are 13-6 ATS under Jones, and should |
| for programs that aspire to reach the level | | | | be dogs in this post-Thanksgiving game. I |
| of national respect that it looks like Boise | | | | think the timing, along with Wisconsin's |
| and Fresno have achieved.The following is | | | | unfamiliarity with Hawaii's style, will lead |
| Doc's detailed analysis of each Western | | | | to a cover.Be Wary Of: Sept. 10, 2005 at |
| Athletic Conference team highlighting their | | | | Michigan State. The Spartans came to Hawaii |
| strengths, weaknesses, and strength of | | | | last year and got molested by the officials. |
| schedule.Fresno State Bulldogs (11-1, | | | | It's not going to be pretty how they exact |
| 8-0)Fresno State closed out 2004 with a | | | | revenge in East Lansing.Idaho Vandals (3-8, |
| flourish. They ended took out their wrath | | | | 3-5)This isn't going to be pretty. Idaho was |
| after a loss to Boise State by blasting their | | | | 3-9 last season while playing in the Sun |
| last five conference foes by an average of 40 | | | | Belt, and now their moving up in class to the |
| points (all big time covers). They then | | | | WAC. First-year coach Nick Holt did an |
| claimed an upset win (outright) in a bowl | | | | admirable job coaxing what he could out of an |
| game for the third year in a row, coming from | | | | undermanned squad that only played two true |
| behind to top Virginia 37-34 in overtime in | | | | home games. This year, he returns just 13 |
| the MPC Computers Bowl. With increased | | | | starters and will be hard-pressed to contend |
| national recognition for their | | | | with the likes of Boise State and Fresno |
| accomplishments, the goal for the Bulldogs | | | | State.Strengths: Two freshman running backs, |
| now is to end Boise State's reign in the WAC. | | | | Jayson Bird and Rolly Lumbala, combined for |
| Fresno has lost four straight | | | | 1,433 yards. Bird averaged 5.9 yards per |
| meetings.Strengths: 17 starters include | | | | carry. Michael Harrington completed 66 |
| linebacker Dwayne Andrews and quarterback | | | | percent of his passes (up from 46 percent in |
| Paul Pinegar. Pinegar completed 60 percent of | | | | '03) and found wideout Bobby Bernal-Wood 96 |
| his passes last fall and 11 different | | | | times. Those 96 grabs were fourth in the |
| receivers had more than five catchers. | | | | country. Also, all-Sun Belt performer Cole |
| Wendell Mathis (995) was five yards away from | | | | Snyder joins Mike Anderson to lead the |
| giving the Bulldogs two 1,000-yard rushers | | | | linebacking corps.Weakness: Harrington didn't |
| (Bryson Sumlin had 1,104). The defense brings | | | | exactly get a ringing endorsement from Holt |
| back eight starters on a crew that finished | | | | in spring practice after the coach refused to |
| 13th nationally in both passing yards allowed | | | | name him the starter over juco transfer Steve |
| and third down efficiency.Weakness: Team MVP | | | | Wichman. A QB controversy is not something |
| Logan Mankins is now starting for the New | | | | that a program that will struggle not to |
| England Patriots, and though four starters | | | | drown in its new league needs. Also, the |
| return they are still pretty green up front | | | | secondary was terrible last season (gave up |
| (two sophomores and a freshman). Garrett | | | | 200 yards rushing and 230 in the air) and |
| McIntyre is the only returning defensive | | | | hasn't shown signs of improvement.Best Bet: |
| lineman for the league's top defense in | | | | Oct. 1, 2005 at UNLV. The Vandals are above |
| '04.Best Bet: Sept. 17, 2005 at Oregon. | | | | water ATS as road dogs (17-14 the last seven |
| Statement game. Big time. Fresno State is | | | | years) and are a respectable 12-8 on grass. I |
| 13-2 versus teams from the BCS leagues, and | | | | don't know if they're good enough to steal a |
| has eight outright wins in those contests. | | | | road win against the Rebels, but they should |
| Also, they're recently 8-1 vs. the Pac 10. Be | | | | cover against a team of comparable skill.Be |
| careful though, the Bulldogs have gone only | | | | Wary Of: Nov. 19, 2005 at Boise State. Four |
| 12-12 on artificial turf the last seven | | | | of Idaho's nine losses in 2004 came by more |
| years.Be Wary Of: Nov. 12, 2005 vs. Boise | | | | than 30 points. One of those was a 65-7 |
| State. This is it. This game will be for the | | | | debacle versus their in state |
| conference championship, and the Bulldogs get | | | | "rival".Louisiana Tech Bulldogs(3-8, 2-6)Ryan |
| to play it at home. I do think this is the | | | | Moats, the 5-foot-8 dynamo that electrified |
| year they get over the hump, but the number | | | | the crowds of Joe Aillet Stadium has taken |
| on this game could be deceiving. If they're | | | | his road show to the NFL, leaving a gaping |
| getting points, it's a trap bet. If they're | | | | hole in the Bulldogs offense. Though he |
| giving points, just make sure it's less than | | | | started only 22 games, last year's WAC |
| six.Boise State Broncos (10-2, 7-1)Don't let | | | | Offensive Player of the Year finished his |
| the gimmicky offense and blue field fool you | | | | brief career with almost 3,200 yards. And |
| - Boise State is one of the top programs in | | | | those numbers didn't come against cupcakes. |
| all of college football. The Broncos were one | | | | The Bulldogs had one of the toughest |
| quarter away from an undefeated season last | | | | schedules in the nation in '04, squaring off |
| year, suffering its first loss at the hands | | | | against six nationally ranked teams. They |
| of Louisville 44-40 in the Liberty Bowl. | | | | shouldn't face more than half of that number |
| Amazingly, that loss makes Boise State 37-3 | | | | this fall.Strengths: Freshman Patrick Jackson |
| over its last 40 games. The other defeat was | | | | could end up filling the void left by Moats. |
| a two-pointer to Oregon State in '03. The | | | | Jackson ran for more than 3,000 yards and 58 |
| Broncos have won 26 consecutive conference | | | | touchdowns as a senior in high school in '04. |
| games and three straight WAC titles. Also, | | | | If he follows behind all-WAC guard Aaron Lips |
| they've been to five bowl games in the last | | | | he could have a breakout year. The defense is |
| six years, going 4-1 (overall and against the | | | | spotty, but they do return three senior |
| spread) in that period.Strengths: Eight | | | | linebackers, led by Ladarius Love.Weakness: |
| starters on both sides of the ball will make | | | | La. Tech is on its fifth defensive |
| their way back to Bronco Stadium this fall. | | | | coordinator in the last five years. They were |
| Quarterback Jared Zabransky, who passed for | | | | college football's worst D in 2003. Giving up |
| 16 touchdowns and rushed for 13 more in 2004, | | | | 32 points a game last year was an |
| and linebacker Korey Hall, the top returning | | | | improvement, but only four starters are back |
| tackler are both back in blue. All four of | | | | from that suffocating unit. The Bulldogs also |
| the Broncos top rushers (including Jon | | | | don't have a quarterback, with three |
| Helmandollar, who had 14 touchdowns in 46 | | | | signal-callers still lost in the indomitable |
| carries) return, as do four stellar offensive | | | | shadow left by 2003 grad Luke McCown.Best |
| linemen. The defense is stout in the middle, | | | | Bet: Nov. 12, 2005 at Idaho. Having to close |
| and safety Cam Hall and cornerback Gerald | | | | the season against Fresno and Boise, this |
| Alexander (5 INT's) bring some experience to | | | | will probably mark the Bulldogs' last shot at |
| the secondary.Weakness: Leading receiver T.J. | | | | a win in '04. Also, they've won at least one |
| Acree graduated, and Boise will be relying on | | | | game on turf every season since 2001.Be Wary |
| juco transfer Cole Clasen to pick up the | | | | Of: Sept. 10, 2005 at Florida. Cover your |
| slack. Defensively, two-way player Quinton | | | | eyes and hide the women and children. La. |
| Jones will be expected to make the change | | | | Tech is 0-6 the last few years ATS as dogs of |
| from RB/WR to starting cornerback. The | | | | more than 21 points. The Urban Meyer Era |
| nation's leading scorer in '04, kicker Tyler | | | | should begin pretty swimmingly in the swamp |
| Jones, has moved on and punter Kyle Stringer | | | | against the Bulldogs.San Jose State Spartans |
| will likely take on double-duty. Also, the | | | | (3-8, 2-6)The good news for the Spartans is |
| schedule is a bit tougher with trips to | | | | that 67-year-old Dick Tomey is rip roarin' |
| Georgia, Oregon State, Fresno State and | | | | and ready to go. Tomey is currently eighth on |
| Hawaii looming.Best Bet: Sept. 10, 2005 at | | | | the active list of winningest coaches at the |
| Oregon State. If Boise State loses to Georgia | | | | Division I-A level, with a 158-110-7 career |
| in its season opener, it will drop the line | | | | record. The bad news is that this is barely a |
| on this game. Don't be fooled - the Broncos | | | | Div. I-A roster, and the average attendance |
| are the far superior team. BSU is 2-0 as road | | | | of SJSU home games last season was about |
| dogs the last two years.Be Wary Of: Oct. 22, | | | | 6,500. Oh yeah, and they are the second worst |
| 2005 at Utah State. I know this sounds crazy, | | | | program at graduating players "in a timely |
| and I don't think there's a chance in hell | | | | manner," as noted by the NCAA. Tomey, you |
| that the Aggies pull the upset, but Boise | | | | sure you don't want to retire?Strengths: |
| State is only 14-11 the last two years ATS, | | | | Seven starters return from last year's |
| and is 0-3 as favorites of more than four | | | | defense. New offensive coordinator Ken |
| touchdowns. It takes a certain type of animal | | | | Margerum thinks this receiving core is better |
| to beat a team by 40. The Broncos might not | | | | than the one he left at Stanford. Lamar |
| be it.New Mexico State Aggies (7-5, 5-3)Hal | | | | Ferguson, this year's starter at running back |
| Mumme is bringing his traveling sideshow to | | | | is only 5-feet, 5-inches. I'm sure the |
| Aggie Memorial Stadium. Mumme made a national | | | | novelty on that will wear off quick, but at |
| name for himself by actually turning Kentucky | | | | least it's something. How about this: over |
| into a relatively competitive football | | | | its last 16 games, the Spartans are 9-7 |
| program in the SEC. After four years at the | | | | against the spread.Weakness: Everything else. |
| school, Mumme was run out amidst rumors of | | | | Quarterback Adam Tafralis is an accomplished |
| impropriety. He resurfaced at Southeast | | | | discus thrower, but not much of a passer. |
| Louisiana, where he had another successful | | | | Tafralis completed just 44 percent of this |
| two-year run. Now it's on to New Mexico, | | | | throws last season in limited action. He's |
| where he could put the Aggies in the position | | | | excited about the new offense though, and has |
| of spoiler for Boise or Fresno, and should at | | | | been quoted as saying, "There's a lot more of |
| least find his way to the school's first ever | | | | a plan, instead of just flipping a coin."Best |
| bowl game.Strengths: The Aggies' offense has | | | | Bet: Oct. 22, 2005 vs. Hawaii. Tomey will |
| a real nice core for Mumme to work his magic | | | | have his charges fired up in this matchup |
| with. He has the team's five leading | | | | against one of his old teams. Also, the |
| receivers back, three offensive linemen, and | | | | Spartans have covered the spread against the |
| the top three rushers. The most intriguing | | | | Warriors in each of the past two seasons.Be |
| prospect is converted quarterback Paul | | | | Wary Of: Oct. 8, 2005 at Utah State. This |
| Dombroski, who is now a full time slot | | | | clash of WAC cellar dwellers should be |
| receiver. Linebacker Jimmy Cottrell has led | | | | riveting. Amazingly enough, San Jose State is |
| the team in tackles for three straight | | | | 8-1 ATS over the last seven years as a road |
| seasons, and is back to anchor the | | | | favorite. If they're giving points here, take |
| defense.Weakness: Like several other teams in | | | | the Spartans all the way to the bank!Utah |
| this division, they don't have a quarterback. | | | | State Aggies (3-9, 2-6)The highlight of the |
| Junior Joey Vincent and juco transfer Royal | | | | Aggies' season in 2004 was their 34-point |
| Gill with fight for reps this fall. Also, | | | | second half for a comeback win over New |
| while they may be the most well equipped team | | | | Mexico State in the final game of the year. |
| to make the jump from the Sun Belt to the | | | | The win was a fond farewell for coach Mick |
| WAC, they're still tossing themselves into a | | | | Dennehy, who had been fired 12 days earlier. |
| conference with preexisting hierarchy and | | | | Utah State is welcoming new coach Brent Guy, |
| will be facing teams with a greater skill | | | | a former Aggies assistant under Charlie |
| level than they're used to.Best Bet: Sept. | | | | Weatherbie and has been at Arizona State for |
| 17, 2005 at New Mexico. The Lobos whooped up | | | | the past four years. To say that the Aggies |
| on the Aggies 38-3 last year, and will be | | | | will have a tough adjustment moving to the |
| playing at home. This should lead to a | | | | WAC would be an understatement, given that |
| double-digit spread with the Aggies getting | | | | they tied for last in the Sun Belt last |
| points. The teams are pretty even in | | | | fall.Strengths: For the second straight year, |
| strength, and have the whole in-state rivalry | | | | the strength of the team should be the |
| thing going on. I think NMSU could win | | | | secondary. The defensive line also has some |
| outright, but I'll settle for a cover.Be Wary | | | | talent, but needs to improve against the run |
| Of: Sept. 24, 2005 vs. California. Yes, | | | | (90th nationally in 2004). Wide receiver |
| they'll be all amped up for this one, but the | | | | Kevin Robinson led the squad with 602 yards |
| Aggies are 0-4 after playing New Mexico, | | | | and managed 22.5 yards per punt return, |
| including a terrible home loss to Idaho in | | | | second in the nation to Ohio State's Ted Ginn |
| 2003 and a 45-0 drubbing at the hands of UTEP | | | | Jr.Weakness: If Utah State is to match last |
| in 2004.Nevada Wolfpack (5-6, 4-4)Through | | | | year's win total (3), they need to improve |
| three separate tours with the Wolfpack, coach | | | | their run defense. They were 115th in the |
| Chris Ault has had only two losing seasons in | | | | country last season against the run, yielding |
| 20 years. One of them was last year's 5-7 | | | | 192 yards a game. It could be tough to shore |
| disappointment. This season Nevada is sort of | | | | up that area on defense given that the Aggies |
| a dark horse team in the WAC. Now, obviously | | | | lost their top four linebackers from last |
| they aren't going to overthrow Boise or | | | | season.Best Bet: Nov. 5, 2005 vs. Louisiana |
| Fresno, but with a soft non-conference | | | | Tech. Utah State is forced to play Fresno |
| schedule they could pull out 7 wins and make | | | | State, Boise State and at Alabama in |
| their first bowl appearance since | | | | consecutive weeks. The Bulldogs will be a |
| 1996.Strengths: Quarterback Jeff Rowe and | | | | welcome sight for the Aggies.Be Wary Of: Oct. |
| Nichiren Flowers hooked up 91 times last | | | | 1, 2005 at Idaho. Utah State has split |
| fall, the fifth-highest total in the country. | | | | against the Vandals the past two years, but |
| Both are back, along with Caleb Spencer (67 | | | | hasn't covered against Idaho the last four |
| catches for 761 yards), to provide the | | | | years. The two are familiar foes from the Sun |
| offensive punch for Nevada. The defense | | | | Belt, so a close game should ensue.Overall |
| returns eight starters (though they were | | | | Expectations:Top-heavy is the best way to |
| terrible as a group last year). Jeremy | | | | describe he WAC this season. I think that |
| Engstrom had a solid freshmen year, and will | | | | Boise State has a more difficult schedule |
| team up with a juco transfer and another true | | | | than Fresno State, and that will give the |
| freshmen to lead the linebackers.Weakness: | | | | Bulldogs a slight edge. I think the two clubs |
| The defense has yielded less than 31 points | | | | are very close in talent, and while Boise |
| per game only once in the last six years. | | | | State may be better, I have a feeling that |
| They do return the eight starters, but they | | | | Fresno's home-field advantage will win out |
| let up 210 rushing yards per game last season | | | | when the two meet in what should be their |
| and 14 yards per pass. Leading rusher Chance | | | | only competitive conference game.The teams |
| Kretschmer has also moved on after three | | | | that joined the conference this season have |
| solid years, leaving a void in the Nevada | | | | certainly watered-down the league. I'm not |
| running game.Best Bet: Oct. 1, 2005 vs. San | | | | sure where this league is headed in the long |
| Jose State. Nevada has cleaned San Jose | | | | term, but I know that this should be a season |
| State's clock the last two years, winning by | | | | of unprecedented coverage for the WAC. Watch |
| double figures each time and leading to two | | | | out for New Mexico State this season. |
| covers. With a little momentum after their | | | | Finally, I think that this league is nothing |
| pre-conference schedule, another double-digit | | | | more than two powerhouses that will get to |
| win should be in the cards.Be Wary Of: Nov. | | | | look a little better than they really are by |
| 12, at New Mexico State. This should be a | | | | demolishing the WAC bottom-feeders.Doc's |
| hotly contested game against the third and | | | | Sports Recent Articles:2005 Big Ten PreviewUS |
| fourth best teams in the conference. The fact | | | | Open OddsNFL HoldoutsDoc's Sports |
| that Nevada is going to be a road dog (0-5 | | | | Handicapping Service |
| ATS in 2004) doesn't bode well for | | | | |
| them.Hawaii Warriors (4-7, 3-5)Last year the | | | | 1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has |
| Timmy Chang Era ended in the Aloha State with | | | | been recognized as one of the leaders and |
| a flourish. The Warriors won their final | | | | most trusted names in sports handicapping |
| three regular season games to barely secure a | | | | information. |
| bowl berth. They made the most of it by | | | | |