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'Dogs Picked First by WAC Coaches
Story URL: http://fresnostate.scout.com/2/771577.html

WAC Sports
BarkBoard.com

Jul 23, 2008

The WAC football coaches have picked Fresno State as the favorite to win the conference. It was announced at the league’s football preview Wednesday morning in Salt Lake City. Boise State has been selected as the preseason favorite by the media. Nevada and Hawaii were picked third and fourth, respectively, in both of the polls.

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.