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Show • Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 StateSManSpOrtS Page 7 Adam's WAC football power poll: Week 8 For the past three weeks I've been telling everyone how good Hawaii is, and how the Warriors would be no pushover for Utah State when the two teams finally meet. And for the past three weeks I've been getting the old "pssh, are your serious, Hawaii?" look. Well, the Warriors lived up to my expectations on Saturday when they upset then-No. 19 Nevada. The other big story in the WAC might be the sudden surge of Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs proved their bowl game aspirations might not be dead yet with a win over Idaho, while Fresno State got back on track with a win against New Mexico State. Here's how the teams stack up in my mind up going into week eight, plus my pick for the game of the week. Boise State (6-0, 2-0) All last week we heard about how the Broncos would likely make history as the first nonautomatic qualifying conference team to come in the number one spot when the first Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings were released. Well, when the BCS rankings finally debuted on Sunday, Boise was on the outside, looking in at third, behind Oklahoma and Oregon. Fortunately for the Broncos, the chances of either of those teams losing are much higher than that of Boise State losing, especially with Nevada looking weaker than many people originally thought. Quarterback Kellen Moore missed only two passes in the Bronco's 48-0 rout of San Jose State. Hawaii (5-2, 3-0) Move over Nevada, there is a new No. 2 in our weekly power rankings, and there's no disputing this call. By beating the Wolf Pack 27-21, Hawaii proved that they are this year's surprise team in the WAC, and that going undefeated in conference play (except, of course, against Boise) might not be all that far-fetched. The Warriors' four straight wins confirm that they're the real deal. Bryant Moniz is on track to be the conference Offensive Player of the Year after another fine performance. It may be too early to speculate as to how the Hawaii defense will hold up when the team plays Boise State, but the Warriors couldn't possibly fare any worse than Boise State's other opponents. Nevada (6-1,11) WOLF PACK Repeat after me, Wolf Pack fans: it's OK. You can back away from the ledge, and despite being knocked from the AP rankings, your team is far from finished with the season. Despite losing to Hawaii, Nevada still ranks fifth in the country in rushing yards per game. The team gets its bye week at an opportune time this weekend, and won't be back to action until hosting Utah State on Oct. 30. The bad news for the Wolf Pack is that they'll have to face the WAC's best teams during the second half of the season, playing Idaho, Fresno State and Louisiana Tech all on the road. For the second year in a row, Utah State's men's basketball team is the overwhelming favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference according to both the league's coaches and media, while senior forward Tai Wesley was tabbed as the coaches preseason Player of the Year, it was announced by the league office Tuesday. Utah State, who has won three-straight regular season WAC titles, received eight firstplace votes and 64 points in the coaches poll, while New Mexico State received one first-place vote and 55 points. Nevada received 47 points and was picked to finish third, followed by Boise State (36), Fresno State (36), San Jose State (32), Louisiana Tech (24), Idaho (19) and Hawaii (11). In the media poll, Utah State garnered 19 first-place votes and 259 points, while New Mexico State was second with 237 points and eight first-place votes. Nevada, who received 190 points and two first-place votes was picked third, while San Jose State received 135 points and one first-place vote and was picked to finish fourth. Fresno State was picked fifth (133), followed by Boise State (129), Louisiana Tech (116), Idaho (78) and Hawaii (73). "Preseason polls are pretty much a reflection on how your team has done in the past and the fact that you might have some experience returning," said USU head coach Stew Morrill. "We've gotten used to high expectations at Utah State and our players have dealt with those expectations pretty well through the years. I think it's always a compliment when the coaches and the media recognize your program by picking you to win the league." Along with being named the preseason Player of the Year by the coaches, Wesley was also named to the league's Utah State (2-4, 0-2) Head coach Gary Andersen and the Aggies could not have gotten a better week for a bye last weekend, and used the time to heal banged up players like cornerback Chris Randle. The Aggies were overwhelmed by Louisiana Tech two weeks ago, but USU has shown the ability to play most teams tough at home, and with Hawaii coming to altitude after an upset win against Nevada, the Warriors are ripe for an upset. If the Aggies are to have any hope at a postseason berth in 2010, they must win this game. Fresno State (4-2, 2-1) The final score may not show a complete beatdown, but Fresno's 33-10 win at home against New Mexico state saw Pat Hill's team take a 30-3 lead into the half. Through three quarters of play the first team Bulldog defense might as well have been a brick wall, holding the Aggies to just 34 net yards rushing. Defensive end Chris Carter tallied three sacks and two forced fumbles to go along with nine tackles. Fresno State may be a better team than I pegged them as last week. They'll get a layup this week against San Jose State before hitting a November slate which features games at Louisiana Tech, at home against Nevada, and at Boise State. New Mexico State (1-5, 0-2) Not gonna lie — when it came to choosing between which team gets the honor of our bottom spot this week, I had to flip a coin. The Aggies were blitzkrieged by the Fresno State defense last week, with quarterback Matt Christian taking a beating in the face of a devastating pass rush. Seth Smith did rush for 91 yards for New Mexico State, but nothing else seemed to go right for the Aggies. Louisiana Tech (3-4, 2-1) San Jose State (1-6, 0-2) It seems like just a few weeks ago we were all writing the Bulldogs as down for the count, but head coach Sonny Dykes has finally found his man in quarterback Ross Jenkins, who has led the team to back-to-back wins. Jenkins, who started the year as a backup, scored four touchdowns in Tech's 48-35 win against Idaho on Saturday. Louisiana Tech's offense amassed 678 yards in the win, overcoming four turnovers and six penalties to survive the shootout. While the offensive explosion was impressive, allowing 513 passing yards to Idaho isn't a good sign — especially with a trip to Boise State in their next game. The Spartans are currently scoring fewer points per game (8.9) than any other team in the country and ranks among the worst in the nation. This past week the team suffered another loss that wasn't even close, getting blown out by Boise State 48-0. The worst part about the team's season? They've still got four more games to be televised on ESPN this season, meaning the entire country gets a chance to feel the pain of each sack quarterback Jordan Le Secla takes. Idaho (3-3, 0-1) Game of the Week: Hawaii at Utah State I said a few weeks ago that Idaho was the WAC's biggest question mark, and after six games I'm still scratching my head. The Vandals had one bad loss (Colorado State), a respectable loss (Nebraska), and a close conference loss this past week to what might be an up-and-coming Louisiana Tech team. With games against New Mexico state, San Jose State and Utah State still on the schedule, it's not unthinkable that the Vandals could get back to the postseason, but they won't be doing so on the heels of their defense. If quarterback Nathan Enderle can cut back on the interceptions than this team is dangerous. If not, well, than the Vandals might Aggie men picked first in preseason WAC poll BY USU ATHLETICS be the conference's biggest disappointment. first-team by both the coaches WAC Preseason and media. Joining Wesley on the WAC's preseason teams Media Poll were senior forward Nate Bendall and senior guards 1. UTAH STATE (19) Tyler Newbold and Pooh 2. New Mexico State (8) Williams who were all named 3. Nevada (2) to the second-team as voted on 4. San Jose State (1) by the coaches. 5. Fresno State Junior college transfer 6. Boise State Brockeith Pane was also recog- 7.Louisiana Tech nized by the media as he was 8. Idaho picked as the WAC's Newcomer 9. Hawaii of the Year. "Having our players recfirst-team all-league honors ognized is always positive, from both Sporting News and but again it's a reflection on NetScouts Basketball, as well last year's team winning the as second-team all-district conference and us having a honors from the National lot of experience back. I hope Association of Basketball our players can be determined Coaches (NABC). to make all the preseason USU's four other returning recognition come true," added lettermen are senior forward Morrill. Matt Formisano, senior guard Overall, Utah State returns Brian Green, junior forward four starters and eight letBrady Jardine and sophomore terwinners from last year's guard Preston Medlin. team that advanced to its 19th In all, Utah State's four NCAA Tournament all-time, returning starters have a comincluding its seventh in the bined 353 games played while last 11 years under Morrill as at USU including 288 starts, it lost to Texas A&M, 69-53, in while its four other returnees the first round. USU finished have a total of 195 games the 2009-10 season with a 27-8 played at USU. record and went 14-2 in WAC Joining Utah State's eight play to claim its third-straight returnees are two redshirts in regular season league chamjunior forward Morgan Grim pionship, which is a school and freshman forward Brad record. Over the last three Brown, and six newcomers in years, USU has a combined junior guards Antonio Bumpus record of 81-24 (.771) including and Pane, sophomore guard a 40-8 (.833) WAC mark. E.J. Farris, freshman forward Leading the way for Utah Ben Clifford, and freshmen State during the 2010-11 seaguards Leon Cooper, Jr., and son will be Wesley who earned James Walker III. first-team all-WAC honors as a Utah State will hold its junior as he finished the year annual Blue-White Scrimmage ranking fourth in the conferon Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 ence and 12th in the nation p.m., and its first exhibition in shooting at 57.4 percent. game will be on Saturday, Oct. He also ranked fifth in the 30 against Universite Laval league in assist-to-turnover at 7 p.m. USU will then play ratio (1.86), sixth in blocked its final exhibition game on shots (1.31), 10th in reboundFriday, Nov. 5 against Grand ing (6.6), 11th in assists (3.34), Canyon at 7 p.m. before begin13th in scoring (13.7) and 15th ning the regular season at in free throw shooting (.701). home against Weber State on Wesley was also named to the Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. WAC's all-tournament team in 2010, along with receiving Call me biased, but this match-up has the classic "trap game" scenario for Hawaii written all over it. Hawaii has traditionally struggled away from the islands, but this year might be a different story. Not only did they beat two solid teams in Army and Fresno State on the road, but they played Colorado tough at altitude in Boulder. Utah State has had two weeks to prepare for the game and get healthy, and should have no shortage of fan support during the homecoming game. Got beef with my picks? Think I missed the mark? We want to hear from you. Drop me a line at adam.nettina@aggiemail.usu.edu . g m USU's Favorite News Source • Since 1902 • Utah State University • Logan, Utah NOW OPtNI• GREEN CANYON FARMS CORN MAZE 2850 North 200 East North Logan (turn East at Nate and Andy's) , tiktS Adults (age 12 & up) $6 Kids (age 3-11) $4 Group Discounts Available cache va11eNis \a gest corn mate Monday-Thursday 5-11 pm Friday 5-12 am Saturday 2-12 am Ieach $1admission OFF up to I 2 people with coupon I Not to be combined with other offers. Good thru 10/30/2010 Look for euitNY Find it & get stuff free! 435-770-7547 www.greencanyonfarms.com h &Alva o' *H. • . • . • . • • • H. 45 00:04 • ∎ .g . O. 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