WAC: It's Fresno's world, the rest are just playing in it

The numbers at Fresno State are mind boggling.

Eight bowl games in the past nine years.

Tight end Bear Pascoe adds a vital dimension to Fresno State's offense. (US Presswire)

Second-most wins over BCS conferences this decade than any other non-BCS school with 12.

Conference titles this decade ... Zero.

Pat Hill has an "any team, anytime, anywhere" attitude, but recently it hasn't transformed into a WAC championship.

"That's our niche. Our niche in life is being the team that takes on all comers," said Hill, who is in his 12th season at the school. "A schedule like that makes us peak early, and it's affected us in WAC play, but this conference is awful good and the last two years proved that in Boise State and Hawaii making it undefeated and going to a BCS bowl."

In 2005 the Bulldogs had high expectations entering the season, only to lose to Oregon by three and Southern California 50-42. Things fell apart after the loss to the Trojans, with defeats to Nevada, Louisiana Tech and Tulsa in the bowl game.

The Bulldogs' niche will continue in 2008 as Fresno plays at Rutgers (Sept. 1), host Wisconsin (Sept. 13) and travel to UCLA (Sept. 27) before jumping into WAC play. The Rutgers game was supposed to be a matchup with Kansas State, but the Wildcats bought out of the game.

Most would say Hill is nuts to schedule teams like that every year, but there is a master plan to the madness.

"We recruit mainly in the state of California. We compete with the Pac-10, WAC and Mountain West schools," added Hill. "Everybody comes into California to recruit and we needed a point of difference. One of ours is not only do you play in the WAC, you are going to play in a non-league schedule that's going to give you a chance for national exposure, a chance to play the best teams in the country and a chance to play on national TV."

And that's just what Hill has done, making Fresno a big-time program not only in the WAC, but in the nation.

"This is the reason why I wanted to go to Fresno State," said sophomore fullback Vince Pascoe. "You get the chance to play the big teams, the big schedule, and who knows what's going to happen. I think it will be pretty exciting."

Things should be dazzling with 10 starters back on offense on a team that averaged 419.5 yards and 32.8 points per game, making Fresno State the favorite to win the conference title and head back to another bowl game.

And while most of the conference is struggling with quarterback issues, Fresno welcomes back Tom Brandstater, who threw for 2,654 yards and 15 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Bear Pascoe, who is the best tight end in the league, returns after finishing second on the team in receptions (45) and yards (553). Both wide receivers are back, as well as running back Ryan Matthews and four starters on the offensive line.

"Our expectations are always high," added Hill. "The demands within our building and the demands the players put on each other are very high. The expectation to win is very, very important."

Fresno wouldn't have it any other way.

Offensive Player of the Year

Luke Lippincott, Nevada: The senior is coming off his best season, rushing for 1,420 yards and 18 total touchdowns. He became the third back in school history to lead the WAC in rushing, joining B.J. Mitchell and Chance Kretschmer. Lippincott had eight 100-yard rushing performances and became the first player in school history to rush for 100 yards and have 100 yards receiving with his performance against Louisiana Tech.

Defensive Player of the Year

Solomon Elimimian, Hawaii: Most of the time it is the Hawaii offense that gets the accolades, but Elimimian is the best defender in the WAC. He is coming off a 145-tackle season, ranking third in the conference and 14th in the nation averaging 10.9 tackles per game. The senior has also been named to the preseason Bednarik Award watch list.

Predicted order of finish

1. Fresno State: One of the deepest teams in the conference with 16 total starters back. Offense won't be a problem. Neither should a defense anchored by defensive tackle Jon Monga and safety Moses Harris. A.J. Jefferson is back on special teams after leading the nation in kick returns, averaging 35.8 yards per runback. Two November games could be crucial -- home against Nevada (Nov. 7) and at Boise State (Nov. 28).

2. Nevada: Don't be surprised if the Wolf Pack sneak up and win the WAC. Despite losing seven games last year, it lost four conference games by seven points or less, including a 69-67 four-overtime thriller to Boise State. Nevada has two very good quarterbacks -- Colin Kaepernick and Nick Graziano. Kaepernick took over for Graziano when he injured his foot and threw for 19 TDs and just three INTs. DE Kevin Basped and LB Joshua Mauga lead a solid defense.

3. Boise State: The Broncos have dominated the conference in the 2000s, but should see a slight dropoff this season. Ian Johnson returns for his senior season and should see lots of work with a new quarterback. Bush Hamdan is expected to replace Taylor Tharp and should have a solid receiving corps with Austin Pettis and Titus Young returning. Jeremy Childs (82 catches) also returns, but will be suspended for the opener for academic issues. Seven starters return to a solid defense.

4. Hawaii: The Warriors will have a lot to replace with the departure of Colt Brennan, four receivers and coach June Jones. The team will still have a pass-first mentality as former defensive coordinator Greg McMackin takes over. Tyler Graunke, who filled in when Brennan was hurt last year, takes over at QB, but will have all new receivers to throw to. The defense will be pretty good and is led by linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian.

Poll Who will win the WAC?   12%  Hawaii     5%  Nevada     33%  Boise State     44%  Fresno State     6%  It will be an upset     Total Votes: 11089

5. Louisiana Tech: The biggest question leading up to the season will be who starts at quarterback. Sophomore Roscoe Jenkins and Georgia Tech transfer Taylor Bennett have been in a major battle. Bennett has the experience, throwing for 2,804 yards with 13 TDs and 11 INTs in 23 career games. Either starter will have an excellent running back in Patrick Jackson (950 yards) returning. The defense is led by safety Antonio Baker.

6. New Mexico State: The Aggies finally look to move up in the WAC as QB Chase Holbrook and WR Chris Williams enter their senior seasons. They will no doubt score lots of points, but can the defense play well enough to win more than last year's one conference game? Defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn will find out as he takes over for Woody Widenhofer, who retired after 40 years of coaching.

7. San Jose State: Another team with a question at quarterback is the Spartans. Cal transfer Kyle Reed was expected to be the automatic starter, but missed most of spring practice with a stress fracture in his foot. Myles Eden and Jordan LaSecla also have been competing for the starting job. The defense should be good with a solid secondary, led by Christopher Owens and Oregon State transfer Coye Francies.

8. Idaho: After finishing 1-11 with zero conference wins, there is only one place to go ... up. Idaho expects to be a little better than last season with the return of 18 starters, including sophomore running back Deonte Jackson (1,175 yards). The defense allowed the most points per game in the conference last year (36.9), but should be improved with the return of defensive back Shiloh Keo.

9. Utah State: The Aggies have an excellent linebacker corps with the return of Jake Hutton and Paul Igboeli, but the secondary needs major work. They are another team in the WAC with a question at quarterback as junior Jase McCormick has reportedly told coach Brent Guy that we was going to leave football, which would leave the Aggies with senior Sean Setzer or freshman Exavier Johnson.