The WAC will once again be a two-team league in 2010 with Boise State and Nevada poised to dominate conference play.
Boise State returns 20 starters from last season's powerful team, including quarterback and Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore. The junior struggled mightily in spring, especially with his accuracy. It will be surprising if his inconsistency carries over to the start of the regular season, but there is no question his play will be under the microscope with the Broncos hovering near the top-five in the polls.
Boise State's high preseason ranking and a tough non-conference schedule make an appearance in the National Championship game a distinct possibility. The Broncos meet Virginia Tech on Sept. 6 at Fed Ex Field, travel to Wyoming the following week in what could be a dangerous trap game and play host to Oregon State later in September. Boise State likely will be favored in the non-conference matchups against the Hokies and Beavers, giving the nation a chance to see how it performs under pressure. The only possible hiccup in WAC play comes late in November with a trip to Nevada.
The Wolfpack feature one of the best running quarterbacks in college football history. Lanky signal caller Colin Kaepernick runs through defenses like Vince Young — he doesn't look that fast but nobody can catch him. Kaepernick has rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in his three-year career and thrown for more than 7,000 yards and 61 touchdowns. He has improved as a passer and has a host of weapons at his disposal, led by sophomore receiver Brandon Wimberly and senior running back Vai Taua.
Nevada could sneak into the BCS picture if it handles Boise State in Reno. A strong non-conference schedule features tough but winnable games against California at home and Brigham Young on the road. Boise State and Nevada could be undefeated when they meet on November 26, setting up a game for the ages.
There is a significant drop in talent after the top two programs in the WAC.
Fresno State has the conference's best secondary and should improve against the run. The Bulldogs look to replace first-round pick Ryan Mathews with Robbie Rouse, who could push 1,000 yards in 2010.
Idaho put up big numbers last season to earn a trip to the postseason for the first time in more than ten years. The Vandals return four solid receivers but lose four starters from last year's reliable offensive line.
Hawaii got inconsistent quarterback play at times last season from Bryant Moniz but still lit up the scoreboard. Greg Salas figures to be one of the more prolific receivers in college football and a valuable fantasy asset. The Warriors aren't likely to win more than seven games but certainly have the ability to pull upsets during conference play.
Utah State is also capable of pulling an upset, especially if running back Michael Smith can replace the injured Robert Turbin, who scored 18 times for the Aggies last year. Diondre Borel is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country and, as long as he and Smith are on the field, Utah State can put up points against almost anyone.
Despite the overall lack of quality depth, the WAC boasts an impressive collection of fantasy prospects.
Players to Target
Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
After scoring 39 touchdowns
in 2008, Kaepernick's stats took a bit of a step back last year. The 6-6
senior increased his completion percentage from 54.3 to 58.9 but passed
for nearly 800 fewer yards than in 2008. He attempted 101 fewer passes,
in part thanks to three consecutive late-season blowout victories in
which he threw just 37 passes total. Kaepernick can be counted on for
another 1,000-plus rushing yards this season, but forecasting his
passing numbers is a bit more difficult. His abilities as a runner make
him arguably the best fantasy prospect in the WAC heading into the 2010
season.
Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
Moore had a 16-to-1
touchdown-to-interception ratio last season. Yes, you read that
correctly. Although his completion percentage fell from his freshman
season (69.4), he still completed a healthy 64.3 percent of his passes,
piloting the Broncos to an undefeated season. A 3,000-yard, 30-touchdown
season is probable in 2010 despite what was by all accounts a very poor
performance in spring practice.
Diondre Borel, QB, Utah State
Borel entered 2009 known
more for his legs than his arm, but that changed quickly as he posted
five 300-yard games en route to finishing the season with 2,885 yards
and 17 scores through the air. He saw his rushing yards slip slightly
(632 in 2008 to 465 in 2009) but is still capable of producing big
numbers on the ground. The loss of his best receiver, Stanley Morrison, could prove to be a bit of a problem, but you still
have to like Borel given his skills and his master-like grasp of the
team's system.
Michael Smith, RB, Utah State
Robert Turbin will miss the 2010 season due to an ACL tear suffered in
the winter, and Smith is in line to pick up the all-star's workload.
Turbin totaled 18 touchdowns last year in Utah State's high-flying
offense, and Smith's skill set is an excellent fit to pick up where
Turbin left off. As a role player in 2009, Smith produced 510 yards from
scrimmage and six touchdowns despite averaging just five touches per
game. Smith should be in line for a huge season.
Vai Taua, RB, Nevada
Taua sat out three games last
season yet still rushed for 1,345 yards and ten touchdowns. He also
added another two scores as a receiver. Nevada has a crowded backfield,
which could cost Taua carries, but with 1,000-yard rusher Luke Lippincott gone, there should be enough carries left for Taua
to dominate. Mike Ball and Lampford Mark are a threat to steal carries, but Taua's proven himself
enough to keep the top running spot for Nevada.
Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
The Boise State backfield
had a bevy of backs to choose from last season, but it was Martin who
stole the show with 15 touchdowns. The 5-9 powder keg averaged 5.9 yards
per carry, as well. Although he'll likely have to share the load with
speedster Jeremy Avery (1,150 yards
last season) and ACL-recovering D.J. Harper, Martin remains the Boise
State ball carrier with the best nose for the goal line and the most
upside.
Jeremy Avery, RB, Boise State
The shifty Avery led the
Broncos in rushing in 2009 and remains their big-play threat. Avery had
1,150 yards on the ground, 257 receiving yards and seven total
touchdowns last year. Doug Martin may
snipe the short-range carries in the red zone, but Avery is a threat to
take it the distance each time he gets his hands on the ball.
Titus Young, WR, Boise State
Young brings big-play
ability to Boise's short-passing attack, topping 1,000 yards last season
on 79 catches with ten touchdowns. He averaged only 13 yards per catch
last season but has impressive speed to separate from defenders. He has Austin Pettis (63-885-14) to contend with at receiver, but quarterback Kellen Moore had no problems feeding both in 2009. It's also worth
noting that Young will probably score at least once on kickoff returns.
Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
Pettis lacks top-line
speed but caught 63 passes for 855 yards and 14 touchdowns last year.
Pettis will compete for targets with Titus Young
(79-1,041-10 last season), but with Kellen Moore
at quarterback, both should prosper just fine once again this season.
The only thing that slowed Pettis last year was a late-season foot
injury that limited him to just five receptions and no touchdowns in the
last four games. Prior to that, he scored in every game, including
multiple touchdowns twice. He's expected to be healthy for 2010, so
expect another strong season.
Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii
Salas posted 1,590 receiving
yards last season, the second most in school history and the most in the
nation among returning receivers this season. He caught 106 passes,
including eight touchdowns in Hawaii's version of the run-and-shoot.
Salas lost his offensive coordinator this offseason, and the Hawaii
quarterback situation is a bit muddled heading into training camp. Once
those questions shake out, the Hawaii system should ensure that he sees
plenty of targets. Hawaii used three quarterbacks last season, and that
didn't stop Salas. Just don't expect Salas to quite reach last year's
numbers, as the return of fellow star wideout Rodney Bradley means there might be fewer catches to go around.
Brandon Wimberly, WR, Nevada
Colin Kaepernick's primary target was one of the best receivers in
the WAC as a freshman. The Wolfpack should throw the ball more in 2010,
giving Wimberly the opportunity to build on his 733-yard, six-touchdown
freshman season. At 6-3, he is a nice target in the red zone and could
be used in a multitude ways this year.
Philip Livas, WR, Louisiana Tech
Although he went
through a slump last year, Livas is one of the country's absolute best
big-play threats. He has scored six times as a returner in the past
three years, and his ability to double as a runner and receiver makes
him something like a Dexter McCluster/Percy Harvin-type. With the new
spread system of new coach Sonny Dykes, Livas will be in position for a
career year in 2010. Look for his numbers to be more like his 2008
season, when he totaled 944 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns.
Top Sleepers
Robbie Rouse, RB, Fresno State
The Bulldogs must replace Ryan Mathews and will likely turn to Rouse, who showed upside in
2009 and had a great spring. The 5-7 back rushed for 479 yards and four
touchdowns as a freshman and figures to get the vast majority of the
carries in 2010.
Lennon Creer, RB, Louisiana Tech
The Tennessee transfer
will be Tech's go-to runner in 2010. First-year coach Sonny Dykes is
installing a new spread system and the offensive line is unproven, so
Creer's production could fluctuate, but odds are that he's too talented
for the WAC to stop him. He might not be enough of a receiving threat to
stay in on third-downs, but he should put up nice numbers in 2010.
Biggest Bust
Nathan Enderle, QB, Idaho
The Vandals return a ton of
talent at receiver, but it all starts up front. A revamped offensive
line looking to replace Mike Iupati
among others failed to mesh in spring and could struggle early in the
season. Enderle could be running for his life and see a significant drop
in production from last season.
Top Newcomers
Rishard Matthews, WR, Nevada
The speedster led the JUCO
ranks in punt returns last season and could be a big contributor to the
Wolfpack offense in 2010. Brandon Wimberly
will certainly face double-teams throughout next season, creating plenty
opportunities for Matthews.
Matt Miller, WR, Boise State
The Broncos appear set at
receiver but could use Miller as a freshman. The Montana native put up
huge numbers in high school and has the size and ability to make an
immediate impact.
Xavier Martin, WR, Utah State
Martin was considered one
of the best wide receiver prospects coming out of the JUCO ranks and has
a chance to be a starter next season. Utah State's aerial attack could
produce impressive fantasy numbers across the board at wide receiver,
and Martin reportedly is the best candidate to fill the role of the
injured Stanley Morrison.