Fresno State finished last season with a 9-4 record and was third in the WAC with a 6-2 mark. The Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech in the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl, 40-28, to win eight of its final 10 games.
Boise State finished 2007 with a 10-3 record. The Broncos were 7-1 in the WAC to finish in second place. The Broncos went on to compete in the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl.
Nevada finished in a tie for fourth last season and played in the New Mexico Bowl.
Coaches' Poll
| Rank | Team(1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | Fresno State(7) | 63 |
| 2. | Boise State(2) | 57 |
| 3. | Nevada | 43 |
| 4. | Hawai‘i | 41 |
| 5. | Louisiana Tech | 33 |
|
5. | San Jose State | 33 |
|
7. | New Mexico State | 26 |
|
8. | Idaho | 15 |
|
9. | Utah State | 13 |
Media Poll
| Rank | Team(1st Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | Boise State(25) | 383 |
| 2. | Fresno State(20) | 379 |
| 3. | Nevada | 296 |
| 4. | Hawai‘i | 243 |
| 5. | Louisiana Tech | 209 |
|
5. | San Jose State | 183 |
|
7. | New Mexico State | 167 |
|
8. | Idaho | 87 |
|
9. | Utah State | 78 |
The media also voted on preseason players of the year. Boise State running back Ian Johnson was voted the Offensive Player of the Year, while Hawai‘i linebacker Solomon Elimimian was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year.