2007 WAC Preview - Unit Rankings

2007 CFN Preview - WAC Unit Rankings from top to bottom

2007 CFN WAC Preview

Unit Rankings

Team Previews Boise State | Fresno State | Hawaii | Idaho
Louisiana Tech | Nevada | New Mexico State | San Jose State | Utah State

- 2007 CFN WAC Preview
- CFN All-WAC Team & Top 30 Players
- WAC Team-by-Team Capsules
- WAC Schedules & Predictions

Offenses
1. Hawaii
Everything worked last year as Colt Brennan and the offense exploded for a nation-leading 559 yards and 46.86 points per game. While Brennan is back, after flirting with the idea of turning pro early, along with star receivers Davone Bess, Jason Rivers and Ryan Grice-Mullen, the line isn't remotely as good as last year's and the running game will desperately miss Nate Ilaoa. David Farmer has to add the run to the run and shoot, or else Brennan won't be nearly as effective. Even so, expect video game numbers out of the nation's best passing attack.

2. Boise State
3. New Mexico State
4. Fresno State
5. Nevada
6. San Jose State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Idaho
9. Utah State

Quarterbacks  
1. Hawaii
Colt Brennan is an All-American who'll be one of the top 64 players taken in next year's draft. Tyler Graunke isn't nearly the same talent, but he'll put up his share of big numbers before his career is over.

2. New Mexico State
3. San Jose State
4. Fresno State
5. Nevada
6. Boise State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Utah State
9. Idaho

Running Backs
1. Boise State
Ian Johnson is one of the nation's elite running backs with the talent to carry the offense on his back. As long as he stays healthy, he could be a threat for 2,000 yards with the great line he has in front of him. However, if Jeremy Avery and Jarvis Hodge turn out to be solid, getting Johnson 1,5000 yards, and around 600 between the top backups, would be more desirable.

2. San Jose State
3. Nevada
4. Fresno State
5. Louisiana Tech
6. Idaho
7. Hawaii
8. Utah State
9. New Mexico State

Receivers
1. Hawaii
Defenses will be able to take away one or two of the receivers, but not all of them. Colt Brennan does such a great job of taking what opposing defenses give him that he'll pick apart the weak link in the secondary over and over again. The Warrior receivers will do its part in exploiting the openings.

2. New Mexico State
3. Nevada
4. Boise State
5. Fresno State
6. Louisiana Tech
7. San Jose State
8. Utah State
9. Idaho

Offensive Line
1. Boise State
The line is going to be a killer as is, but it could be truly special if Pete Cavender is 100%. Paul Lucariello's knee injury threw a wrench into the overall plans, but this is still the WAC's best line and there isn't even a remotely close second. However, there can't be any more major injuries.

2. Fresno State
3. Nevada
4. Hawaii
5. New Mexico State
6. San Jose State
7. Louisiana Tech
8. Utah State
9. Idaho

Defenses
1. Boise State
As expected, the defense was the best in the WAC last year and should be fantastic again with seven starters returning. Stopping the run will be goal one, and it can be with a fantastic returning pass defense. The secondary will be great with safety Marty Tadman and the corner tandem of Orlando Scandrick and Kyle Wilson returning, while the linebacking corps, even with the loss of Korey Hall, will be a strength with Derrell Acrey expected to step up and star, with veterans Kyle Gingg and David Shields keeping the run defense strong. Mike Williams and Nick Schlekeway form a good end tandem, but the tackles will be the team's biggest question mark outside of the quarterback situation.

2. Nevada
3. San Jose State
4. Fresno State
5. Hawaii
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Idaho
8. New Mexico State
9. Utah State

Defensive Lines
1. Fresno State
This should be the strength of the defense with a good rotation at all four spots and a strong group of tackles that should be stronger against the run. Nothing special last season, this could grow into the league's best line if everyone plays up to their potential, and is Jason Roberts and Ike emerge as viable weapons on the other side of Tyler Clutts.

2. Boise State
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. Hawaii
6. Louisiana Tech
7. New Mexico State
8. Utah State
9. Idaho

Linebackers
1. Nevada
This might be the best linebacking corps in the WAC thanks to the return of Ezra Butler and Jeremy Engstrom. There will be plenty of plays made all over the field by the four in the 3-4 that's supposed to fill the stat sheet, and this veteran crew will do the job.

2. Boise State
3. San Jose State
4. Hawaii
5. Fresno State
6. Idaho
7. Louisiana Tech
8. New Mexico State
9. Utah State

Defensive Backs
1. Boise State
Hawaii and New Mexico State will throw for a ton of yards on everyone. This is the WAC's best secondary, and there's not even a close second. Marty Tadman is a lock for All-WAC honors, while Orlando Scandrick and Kyle Wilson both have all-star potential. Austin Smith is the sleeper star of the bunch; he'll have a huge season.

2. Nevada
3. San Jose State
4. Hawaii
5. Fresno State
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Idaho
8. New Mexico State
9. Utah State

Special Teams
1. San Jose State
As long as a steady punt returner can be found for James Jones (possibly Dwight Lowery or Patrick Perry), and if there can be a bit more pop on kickoff returns from Dominique Hunsucker, this should be among the team's biggest strengths. The field position battle should belong to the Spartans game in and game out.

2. Nevada
3. New Mexico State
4. Louisiana Tech
5. Hawaii
6. Utah State
7. Boise State
8. Fresno State
9. Idaho