WAC Fearless Predictions, Sept. 8

Previews and Predictions for the Week 2 WAC Games.

WAC  
Boise State | Fresno State | Hawaii | Idaho | Louisiana Tech
Nevada | New Mexico St | San Jose State | Utah State

WAC Fearless Predictions Sept. 1 | Sept. 15 | Sept. 22 | Sept. 29 
 Oct. 6 | Oct. 13 | Oct. 20 | Oct. 27 | Nov. 3 | Nov. 10 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 24 | Dec. 1   

How are the picks so far? SU: 9-0 ... ATS: 2-2

WAC Week Two Fearless Predictions, Part 2

WAC Game of the Week

Boise State (1-0) at Washington (1-0) 3:30 EST
Why to watch: Fresh off its biggest win in years, a 42-12 rout at Syracuse, Washington has a chance for a defining moment this week against Boise State, owners of the nation’s longest winning streak.  Even after just one game, there’s no doubt the Huskies have come a long way since last year, but just how high is the ceiling for this team?  We’ll have a much better idea by Saturday evening.  While U-Dub bordered on flawless at the Carrier Dome, the big story was the play of new QB Jake Locker, whose performance looked anything but freshman-like.  For Boise State, even after capping an undefeated season with a Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma, it still wants to prove to the nation that it’s no gimmicky one-hit wonder.  This week’s trip to Seattle is the Broncos’ only game of the year versus a BCS opponent, so they’ve got to deliver an impressive win in order to maintain their impeccable national image.  Like Washington, Boise State has a new starting quarterback, Taylor Tharp, who was 14-of-19 for 184 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 56-7 disposal of Weber State.
Why Boise State might win: Sure, Washington can thwart the pitiful Syracuse offense, but the Broncos are a completely different animal that’ll run the ball effectively with Ian Johnson and challenge a young and beatable Husky secondary by spreading the ball around.  That Washington defensive line which looked so aggressive last Friday night will be rendered ordinary by a physical and vastly underrated Boise offensive line. Syracuse wasn’t remotely crisp on either side of the ball. Boise State will be sharp from the opening snap.
Why Washington might win: While it’s going to be tough for the Huskies to throw on a quality Boise State secondary, they will establish a north-south running game with a considerable size advantage on the interior.  At an average of 300 pounds, the Washington linemen will bully the smallish Broncos, creating space for RB Louis Rankin to bolt for long gainers.  Locker’s physical running style is a new dimension to the Husky offense that couldl wear out the Boise D in the second half.
Who to watch: In a game that will be dictated by the play in the trenches, no one will be more dominant than Boise State LT Ryan Clady, a future high draft choice that flies under the radar outside the west coast.  Both massive and light on his feet, it’ll be his responsibility to keep hard-charging ends Greyson Gunheim and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim out of Tharp’s grill.
What will happen: Not so fast, Washington.  No stranger to big games or big crowds, Boise State will bring the Huskies back to Earth and snap a 12-game road losing streak to BCS opponents.  Chris Peterson’s play-calling and Johnson’s speed will remind Husky fans that the defense remains a concern for 2007.
CFN Prediction: Boise State 34 … Washington 30 ... Line: Boise State -3
Must See Rating: (5 Mad Men - 1 Chelsea Lately) ... 3.5
Final Score:

WAC Saturday, September 8

Hawaii (1-0) at Louisiana Tech (1-0) 7:07 PM  GamePlan
Why to Watch: More than USC. More than LSU. More than anyone, any team or anything in the nation this year, Hawaii and QB Colt Brennan are must-see college football, even if their games aren’t. Brennan threw for 416 yards and six touchdowns in the 63-6 rout of Northern Colorado last week, but this is a WAC opponent – on the mainland. Sure, Brennan can fire up the stats on the island, but how well does he travel? No one will compare LTU with LSU, but this is a reasonably good test, especially since the Bulldogs picked off five passes in last week’s win over Central Arkansas. For new head coach Derek Dooley, his Bulldogs can make a huge national statement with the win.
Why Hawaii Might Win: It’s not tough to figure out this formula: The Warriors spread it out and let Brennan find the mismatch. Mayhem ensues for opposing defenses. Last week, he completed at least five passes to four different receivers, with Ryan Grice-Mullen (9 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD) the main man. Hawaii puts tremendous pressure on enemy defenses with its pace. By the second quarter, enemy linemen are gasping for air, and the D-backs are half-crazy from trying to figure out the different reads and patterns Hawaii is using. And once Brennan finds his groove, he can throw for 200 yards in a quarter, no problem. The Hawaii defense has never been all that stout, and last year it gave up 30 or more points a game to four WAC opponents, but that’s no problem when you’re hanging up 50 yourself.
Why Louisiana Tech Might Win: The Bulldogs picked off five passes in last week’s 28-7 triumph, proof that Dooley, son of legendary Georgia boss Vince, learned a little something about defense at his daddy’s knee. That’s a good thing, because LTU had the worst defense in all of I-A last year. That should change, if only because defense is a big deal in the Dooley household, and those five picks last week give Tech fans some hope. But preying on Central Arkansas is one thing; messing with Brennan is another. The Bulldogs must be disciplined and then control the ball with Patrick Jackson, who gained 120 yards last week. It would also help if QB Zac Champion threw for more than last week’s total of 71 yards.
Whom to Watch: It’s Brennan. It’s always Brennan. He is one of the nation’s most compelling players, if only because of the statistical binge he has been on since starting his tenure under center that’s quickly making him the Heisman front-runner. He set five school records last week and went over 10,000 passing yards for his career. His next TD pass will be his 100^th career scoring strike, and the 150 mark isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Again, he’s must-see TV.
What Will Happen: Even though they’re on the mainland, the Warriors will saturation-bomb the Bulldogs and start piling up the points early. Dooley may have that defense on the mend, but let’s not get carried away. Stopping Hawaii is advanced stuff, and this D is still on the primer. Brennan should get about 350 yards and four TDs, and Hawaii should roll to a relatively easy victory.
CFN Prediction: Hawaii 41 … Louisiana Tech 17... Line:  Hawaii -27.5
Must See Rating: (5 Mad Men - 1 Chelsea Lately) ... 2.5
Final Score:

Nevada (0-1) at Northwestern (1-0)  12:00 PM Big Ten Network
Why to Watch: Northwestern looks to avenge last year's 31-21 loss to the Wolf Pack in Reno, and to go 2-0 with an apparent layup against Duke coming up next week. For a program still trying to find its identity under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, it needs a win like this to have any honest dreams of going bowling. Nevada, despite getting run over 52-10 by Nebraska, isn't going to be a pushover with a defense far better than it showed last week. With Nichols State and UNLV coming up next, the Pack can quickly turn its season around with a likely 3-0 start if it can get out of Evanston with a win. Call this a prove it game for both offenses. Northwestern has to show that the smooth, easy 27-0 win over Northeastern wasn't a total fluke, while Nevada has to jump-start its attack after only cranking out 185 yards last week.
Why Nevada Might Win: Don't let the Nebraska game fool you; Nevada's linebackers are good and should be far better at stopping Northwestern's running attack. This is an active, talented group, led by all-star Ezra Butler, that should be able to keep Tyrell Sutton from breaking off the big runs that Nebraska's Marlon Lucky was able to. The Wildcat defense will give up rushing yards, so if Nevada is patient, it should be able to control the tempo. However ...
Why Northwestern Might Win: ... it's hard to totally ignore the 413 rushing yards Nebraska was able to crank out. Nevada might be stronger this week, but this is a strong Wildcat offensive line that should play far better than it did against Northeastern. Call last week's win a tune up for a Wildcat front five that didn't do enough for the ground game and allowed way too many plays in the backfield. If the line plays up to its potential, Nevada will be in big trouble.
Who to Watch: Week one was a rousing success for one starting quarterback, and a nightmare for another. Northwestern junior C.J. Bacher picked up where he left off at the end of last year by completing 23 of 29 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown last week. He's not a running threat, but he barreled in for a one-yard score. He's thrown for at least 200 yards in each of the last six games, and after throwing two picks in four straight games, hasn't given up the ball in the last two. Nevada sophomore Nick Graziano completed just eight of 24 passes for 109 yards with an interception against the Huskers and led the team with 29 rushing yards. If he struggles again, redshirt freshman Colin Kaepernick could take over the job after a tough battle this off-season.
What Will Happen: Nevada isn't nearly as bad as it looked against Nebraska, and Northwestern isn't nearly as decent as it appeared to be against Northeastern. The Wildcats will get just enough balance to overcome a bounce-back game from the Wolf Pack offense.
CFN Prediction: Northwestern 24 ... Nevada 20 ... Line: Northwestern -5
Must See Rating: (5 Mad Men - 1 Chelsea Lately) ... 3
Final Score: 

Cal-Poly (0-1) at Idaho (0-1)  5:00 pm
Why to Watch: This one isn’t going to turn too many heads, but it does match a ranked FCS team in Cal-Poly (17^th, 22^nd) against a young Vandals team that showed plenty of fight in its season-opening loss at USC. Dropping a 38-10 decision to the Trojans is hardly anything to complain about, particularly when you’re using 17 freshmen on your two-deep. As for Cal-Poly, it also dropped its opener, to Texas State, another strong FCS squad. This game will serve as a first win for one team and a barometer for first-year coach Robb Akey to see whether his youth movement has promise, or if it will crash and burn throughout the season.
Why Cal-Poly Might Win: Idaho was chewed up evenly by the Trojans, surrendering 214 yards on the ground and 206 yards through the air. That means QBs Jonathan Dally and Matt Brennan, each of whom played last week, could have some success, provided they’re more consistent. Cal-Poly would be well-served to put as much pressure as possible on Idaho QB Nathan Enderle a redshirt freshman. He was sacked just once by the Trojans, but he is young and could be vulnerable.
Why Idaho Might Win: The Vandals showed a lot of heart in their loss to the Trojans. Granted, USC wasn’t out for blood and played a lot of people, but Idaho didn’t roll over, so their youngsters get gold stars. Now, in order to beat Cal-Poly, they should run the ball – often. The Mustangs surrendered 351 yards on the ground to Texas State. That means a lot of work for redshirt freshman Deonte Jackson, who looked good against the Trojans, gaining 99 yards. Idaho had also better pay attention to Cal-Poly receiver Ramses Barden, who caught eight passes for 207 yards and two scores.
Whom to Watch: Barden had a good year in ’06, earning all-league honors after catching 42 passes, but his 19.6-yard average was most impressive. He scored five times, a number which is almost certain to grow this season, especially after he found the end zone twice last week. At 6-6, 228 pounds, he could be a tight end, but he’s too fast for that position.
What Will Happen: Cal-Poly will be game, and since it is ranked, it could make some trouble for the young Vandals, who don’t quite know how to win yet. But Idaho showed plenty of fire against USC, and its combination of Enderle and Jackson gives it the opportunity to hit the Mustangs with a balanced attack. In the end, Idaho should prevail, although this will not be an easy one.
CFN Prediction: Idaho 28 ... Cal Poly 17 ... Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (5 Mad Men - 1 Chelsea Lately) ... 2
Final Score: 

WAC Week Two Fearless Predictions, Part 2