If the Western Athletic Conference media and sports information directors know anything, the BYU and Utah football teams are going to be the class of the conference this fall.
The Cougars and Utes were not only picked to finish 1-2 in a poll conducted Sunday, but BYU quarterback John Walsh was picked to be the offensive player of the year and Utah defensive lineman Luther Elliss was voted as the likely defensive player of the year.BYU received 34 of 48 first-place votes and 465 points overall, while Utah received 12 first-place votes and 394 points. The only other team to garner first-place votes was Colorado State, which got two and was picked third overall.
"It'd be nice to have it end that way," said BYU coach LaVell Edwards. "But I don't pay a whole lot of attention to preseason picks."
The coaches from the 10 WAC schools and two or three players from each school were on hand for interviews at the two-day football media kickoff at the Red Lion Hotel.
Generally, most coaches and players see the WAC as a more defensive league this year because of the loss of offensive stars such as Marshall Faulk and Darnay Scott of San Diego State, Fresno State's Trent Dilfer and Wyoming's Ryan Yarborough and the emergence of defensive stars such as Utah's Elliss, Wyoming's Tyrone Williams and Colorado State's Steve Hodge.
They also see a more balanced league with any of the lower division teams as capable of beating an upper-division team on a given Saturday.
Here is a brief look at each of the teams in order of how they were picked in the media poll.
BYU - After last year's disastrous defensive year, the emphasis in recruiting came on the defensive side with 20 of the 25 signees. The Cougars feel they've plugged key holes at linebacker and in the secondary. Walsh could have a banner year as the established QB but needs more help from the running game to take pressure off.
Utah - In Mike McCoy, the Utes have the nation's No. 2 man in total offense last year. McCoy has a bevy of fine receivers, but the offensive key will be how the new running backs come through. On defense, Elliss is the anchor of a unit that returns eight starters from last year.
Colorado State - Although the WAC Football Guide says the Rams have 81 starters coming back (now wouldn't that be some football team?), they'll be plenty experienced with 18 back. Second-year coach Sonny Lubick has brought defensive emphasis to the league. But he says the Rams success may depend on the kind of year versatile quarterback Anthoney Hill has.
Fresno State - As one coach said, "Fresno doesn't rebuild, it reloads." The Bulldogs have lost some key ingredients from last year's Aloha Bowl team, the biggest being Dilfer, the 6th pick in the NFL draft. The Bulldogs have the potential to play 14 games this year if they get to a bowl game since they play Ohio State in the Pigskin Classic and at Hawaii in an extra game.
New Mexico - The Lobos, under third-year coach Dennis Franchione, are trying to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1971. Senior Stoney Case, who has started at quarterback since his freshman season, will be a key man. They have a chance to end their ignominy as the only WAC team never to go to a bowl game.
Wyoming - Led by Williams and Brent Schieffer, the Cowboys' defense will be its strength. John Gustin, projected as the starting quarterback, is the "first missionary to come from a mission and play for us," said coach Joe Tiller.
San Diego State - Besides Faulk and Scott who both turned pro early, coach Al Luginbill, who couldn't win the big ones, is gone. New coach Ted Tollner, the former BYU assistant, has installed a no-huddle offense similar to the Buffalo Bills and he has a top quarterback in Tim Gutierrez to run it. The defense is a big question mark, however.
Hawaii - When coach Bob Wagner found out he was picked for eighth he smiled and said, "The last time the media picked us eighth, we won the Holiday Bowl." It's not likely to happen this year unless he can find a good quarterback from among three inexperienced candidates and integrate his 25 redshirt players. A win over BYU on Sept. 3 could catapult the Rainbows to a good season.
Air Force - The Falcons are coming off a rare losing season and although coach Fisher DeBerry says his team deserves to be picked low, he promises a "very competitive football team." The defense is the strength of the team with seven starters back, but there is experience at quarterback in Desmond Cash.
UTEP - Like DeBerry, Miner coach Charlie Bailey says his team is picked where it should be. Bailey, who is in his first full year, says his main goal is to have a team that gives 100 percent. He'll worry about victories later.
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Additional Information
1994 WAC poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
Points
1. BYU (34) 465
2. Utah (12) 394
3. CSU (2) 373
4. Fresno State 324
5. New Mexico 278
6. Wyoming 235
7. San Diego St. 213
8. Hawaii 155
9. Air Force 128
10. UTEP 54