Fresno State Athletics
WAC Coaches Tab Fresno State, Boise State As Favorites
7/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 28, 2005
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RENO, Nev.- Fresno State and three-time defending conference champion Boise State have been named the favorites in the 2005 WAC football coaches poll, announced today at the league's football media days being held in Reno, Nevada.
The news comes just one day after the Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the preseason media poll. The Broncos were also tabbed league favorites by the media.
Fresno State and Boise State each received 60 points from the nine WAC coaches. Hawai`i finished third with 50 points while Louisiana Tech was selected fourth with 37 points followed by Nevada (35).
San Jose State was picked sixth with 28 points. WAC newcomer New Mexico State was seventh (21), followed by fellow newcomers Utah State (20) and Idaho (13).
"I like it and I think this says a lot about our program and the fact that the coaches have great respect for what we do," said head coach Pat Hill. "I think the way we finished last year by winning our final six games in dominating fashion and beating a ranked team in a bowl game shows that we have a lot of quality players coming back and I'm hoping we can carry over that momentum from last year."
Added Hill, "I'm a little surprised because Boise State has been the most dominant team in the league over the last three years. Our goal is to always win the conference championship. Our goal again this year is to win the WAC and obviously the coaches in the league realize we have the talent to do that."
Fresno State, coming off a 2004 season in which it finished 9-3 overall and notched a victory over No. 18 Virginia in the MPC Computers Bowl, has won its last five WAC games and enters this season having won six in a row dating back to last year.
Three-time defending WAC champion Boise State concluded the 2004 campaign at 11-1 and has won 26 straight conference games dating back to 2001.
Fresno State opens the season against Weber State on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldog's WAC opener is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8 at New Mexico State.
The following is the complete 2005 WAC football coaches' poll:
Rank Team Points1. Boise State 60 Fresno State 603. Hawai`i 504. Louisiana Tech 375. Nevada 356. San Jose State 287. New Mexico State 218. Utah State 209. Idaho 13
