WAC Football Interesting Notes

It's down time for us in the summer, so we get to do some more blogging than usual in the summer. Here are some interesting WAC football notes as we get closer to the start of fall practice in August.

Boise State (10-3, 2007)
A Sept. 20 matchup with Oregon will be a big game for the Broncos. A win in this game could propel the Broncos into a BCS game for the second time in three years. Team is now 52-4 in WAC play. Boise State lost two straight to end the season in 2007 for the first time since 1993.

Fresno State (9-4, 2007)
Bulldogs start season at Rutgers and also visits UCLA, while entertaining Wisconsin. Had streak of six straight 1,000-yard rushers end last year. Is 14-0 against New Mexico State. Is 10-7 all-time in bowl games. Has not finished higher than second in WAC since 1999. Last outright title came in 1989 in Big West.

Nevada (6-7 in 2007)
Lost just 15 lettermen from last year and outgained opponents by 123 1/2 yards per game last year. Program has played in three straight bowl games. Entertains Texas Tech in second game of year, at Missouri in week 3.

Hawaii (12-1 in 2007)
Hawaii returns just eight starters from last year's Sugar Bowl team, fewest in league. Have to play at Boise State and Fresno State this year. Last year won WAC. Also shared titles in 1992 and 1999. Starts season at Florida on Aug. 30.

New Mexico State (4-9 in 2007)
WR LaVorick Williams is half-brother to NFL receiver Roy Williams. Gary Goff and Matt Mumme are co-offensive coordinators. Aggies looking for first bowl showing since 1960.

San Jose State (5-7 in 2007)
Three BCS transfers dot the roster and could make huge impact. Non-league games include visits to Nebraska and Stanford.Head coach Dick Tomey has won 175 career games and is 5-3 in bowl games.

Louisiana Tech (5-7 in 2007)
Looking for first bowl appearance since 2001 season. Head coach Derek Dooley is son of former Georgia head coach Vince Dooley. Dooley was an assistant under Nick Saban at LSU. Running back Patrick Jackson could be one of league's best after rushing for 950 yards last year.

Idaho (1-11 in 2007)
The Vandals have had eight straight losing seasons. Robb Akey enters second year as head coach. Starts season at Arizona on Aug. 30. Just 10-22 at home in last seven years. Akey was third coach in three years at Idaho.

Utah State (2-10 in 2007)
Bruce Snyder was last coach to leave Utah State with a winning record and that was in 1982. Last bowl appearance was in 1997. Non-league schedule includes games with Oregon, UNLV and BYU.