Fresno State Athletics
WAC Coaches Like Dogs
7/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 23, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY - Since most college football magazines have already picked Fresno State as a preseason Top 25 team and the favorite to win the 2008 Western Athletic Conference title, it was little surprise the Bulldogs were picked by the league's coaches to do just that.
Fresno State earned seven of the eight possible votes. No coach was allowed to vote for their team.
The Bulldogs were picked second in the WAC media poll, behind Boise State. The Broncos and Bulldogs were the only two schools to get first place votes in that poll. Boise State edged Fresno State by four total points (383-379). Nevada was a distant third place in both polls.
The announcements came today at the first full day of the WAC Football Preview at the Hilton Airport Hotel. Nearly 70 media members are on hand for the annual gathering, which features the head coaches and marquee players from all nine schools.
Representing Fresno State is head coach Pat Hill, All-America candidate Bear Pascoe and quarterback Tom Brandstater, who last week was named to the Davey O' Brien Award watch list as one of the premier quarterbacks in the nation.
"It's nice to be recognized and it's great for our players to have that kind of respect," said Hill. "We have a tough road ahead. Finishing the season at San Jose State and Boise State is going to be real tough. Those are two very talented teams and tough places to play. But that's the way we like it. We've always said the games in November are the ones you remember. We have our work cut out for us."
With 19 starters returning from a team that won nine games and soundly defeated ACC foe Georgia Tech 40-28 in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, the Bulldogs garnered seven first place votes by the coaches and 20 of the 45 first place votes in the media poll. Boise State took the other 25.
Fresno State returns 10 starters on offense, including Brandstater and Pascoe, both coming off their best seasons. Brandstater threw for nearly 3,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions last fall. He completed nearly 63% of his passes and enters his senior season ranked in the top 10 in Fresno State history for most yards via pass.
Pascoe was Fresno State's first-ever All-WAC tight end and will be a strong candidate for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to the nation's best tight end. He's already considered by most as the best to ever wear a Bulldog uniform.
Hill, Brandstater and Pascoe spentWednesday morning meeting with the media and a golf outings with members of the media in the afternoon, joining bowl representatives and other dignitaries.
This year, five bowls are sending representatives, including the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Fed EX Orange Bowl, Roady's Humanitarian Bowl and the New Mexico Bowl.
Commissioner Karl Benson Gives State of the WAC
WAC Commissioner Karl Benson addressed the media early in the morning and gave a state of the conference.
Benson reviewed the last 10 years since the WAC split and he is pleased with the progress and stability within the league.
Benson reiterated that the WAC has maintained its position as the second most recognized conference in the west behind the Pac-10. Benson pointed out three significant WAC accomplishments over the last 18 months that have helped shape the WAC's image and reputation, including the two BCS bowl appearances by Boise State and Hawaii and Fresno State's national championship in baseball.
"In talking with coaches in the league, I hear them say how that helps in recruiting," Benson said. "We can say look at what Fresno State did. If you come to a WAC school, you can win a national championship. The WAC membership is delivering."
Other WAC issues that Benson addressed:
- Benson explained that having this event in Salt Lake City reinforces that it's an important WAC market.
- Football officiating will be more standardized, as crews from the WAC, Big 12 and Mountain West conferences will work together in an attempt to remove the conference labels from officiating crews. In addition, plans are in place to standardize the equipment and personnel used for instant replay.
- WAC football teams have 37 non-conference games this fall, with 30 of those against fellow FBS teams and only seven against FCS (formerly Division I-AA) schools.
- He believes the WAC, Pac-10 and Mountain West will have to work more closely in scheduling of all sports due to the increases in gas prices and subsequently travel costs.
- He reminded media members of one major new rule changes for college football this year, the implementation of a 40-second play clock, identical to the NFL timing system, a new rule preventing "horse collar" tackles, and a point of emphasis of officials this year on helmet-to-helmet contact hits.
2008 WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Fresno State (7), 63
2. Boise State (2), 57
3. Nevada, 43
4. Hawaii, 41
5. San Jose State, 33
Louisiana Tech, 33
7. New Mexico State, 26
8. Idaho, 15
9. Utah State, 13
2008 WAC Preseason Media Poll
1. Boise State (25), 383
2. Fresno State(20), 379
3. Nevada, 296
4. Hawaii, 243
5. Louisiana Tech, 209
6. San Jose State, 183
7. New Mexico State, 167
8. Idaho, 87
9. Utah State, 78
"Join the State- Fresno State!" -The first Big Ten team will travel to the Valley as the `Dogs take on Wisconsin in the home opener on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN2. Be sure to reserve your seat for the Wisconsin game by purchasing a season ticket, family plan or 3-game mini plan for just $99. To purchase tickets, by logging on to www.gobulldogs.com and visiting the tickets page, calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stopping by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
