Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Picked Third in WAC Preseason Media Poll
7/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 23, 2007
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Depending on which poll Bulldog fans prefer, the Fresno State football team is predicted to finish the season in either third or fourth place this coming season.
Head coach Pat Hill, who will open camp with his team August 6, enters his 11th season and he has not been this excited for some time. The WAC media predicted a third-place finish, which would mean a return to a bowl game for the Dogs, their eighth in the last nine years. The WAC coaches predict the Dogs will finish fourth.
The polls were announced Monday morning during the first full day of the 2007 WAC Football Preview in San Jose, Calif. During the next two days, WAC coaches and players will meet with media members from around the nation.
"This is about where I expected to be picked," said Hill. "I'm surprised San Jose State wasn't higher. I think they are going to be very good team. Obviously with Hawaii's home schedule and an outstanding quarterback returning, there has been a lot of talk about them. We won the last time over there so that will be a great game. To me, Boise State has been the team to beat and still is. Until someone takes away their crown, they are the one to shoot for. I'm really looking forward to that game in Bulldog Stadium on Oct. 26. Boise State has as 39-1 record in conference games the past five seasons and their only loss was the last time they came to Bulldog Stadium."
Joining Hill at the WAC Football preview are senior defensive end Tyler Clutts and senior center Ryan Wendell. Clutts is on the watch list for the Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player while Wendell is on the watch lists for the Rimington and Outland Trophy awards.
Hawai`i has been named the favorite in the 2007 Western Athletic Conference in football in both the media and coaches polls. The Warriors were 11-3 last year and led the nation in scoring offense, passing offense and total offense.
Hawai`i received 494 points and 32 first-place votes from media members around the WAC and the nation. Boise State, the five-time defending WAC champions, was picked a close second after garnering 490 points and 26 first-place votes. Fresno State finished third with 361 points followed by Nevada with 337 points. New Mexico State was selected fifth with 233 points followed by San Jose State (321), Louisiana Tech (157), Utah State (110) and Idaho (107).
The media also voted on preseason players of the year. Hawai`i quarterback Colt Brennan was voted the Offensive Player of the Year for the second-straight preseason, while San Jose State defensive back Dwight Lowery was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year.
The polls were nearly identical, with the exception of Fresno State being ranked No. 3 in the media poll, one spot ahead of Nevada. The two schools flipped positions in the WAC coaches' poll.
The following is the complete 2007 WAC football media poll with first-place votes in parentheses:
WAC Media Poll Rank Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Hawai`i (32) 494
2. Boise State (26) 490
3. Fresno State 361
4. Nevada 337
5. San Jose State 321
6. New Mexico State 233
7. Louisiana Tech 157
8. Utah State 110
9. Idaho 107
The following is the complete 2007 WAC football coaches' poll:
2007 WAC Coaches Poll Rank Team (1st Place Votes) Points
1. Hawai`i (6) 62
2. Boise State (3) 59
3. Nevada 45
4. Fresno State 40
5. San Jose State 39
6. New Mexico State 31
7. Louisiana Tech 25
8. Utah State 13
9. Idaho 10
