The Western Athletic Conference had its most successful football season in its 33-year history in 1994. For the first time ever three WAC teams finished in the top 20 in the final rankings. The CNN/USA Today poll had a pair of WAC teams in the top 10 at season's end. League members finished with a 7-3 mark in head-to-head games against Pac-10 teams.
But the national success of WAC teams in '94 hasn't carried over in terms of respect this preseason. Nary a WAC team is ranked in either of the two major polls."We didn't get the preseason recognition we hoped to have gotten," WAC commissioner Karl Benson admitted.
Of course, the top three WAC teams a year ago - Utah, BYU and Colorado State - each suffered major losses in personnel, including their starting quarterbacks. Wyoming, New Mexico and UTEP are also breaking in new QBs.
The conference race should be wide open. "I could honestly see any one of six WAC teams winning the conference title this season," said Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick.
Here's a look at each WAC team in the order they were predicted to finish by the league's media members.
BYU: All eyes will be on junior college transfer quarterback Steve Sarkisian as he takes over the quarterbacking duties, but the strength of the team will likely be the defense, believe it or not. The entire linebacking crew returns, including leading tacklers Shay Muirbrook and Stan Raass, with down linemen Mike Ulufale and John Raass back for their senior year.
Four of the Cougars' first five games are against WAC foes (Air Force, SDSU, Wyoming and Colorado State), so BYU will have to be playing well right from the starting gun for LaVell Edwards' club to have a chance to win its 17th league crown.
COLORADO STATE: After leading the Rams to their first WAC title ever, Lubick turned down coaching overtures from national power Miami to stay in Fort Collins. Again, defense will be the key for CSU. Seven defensive starters are back including All-American safety Greg Myers and All-WAC defensive end Sean Moran. As of Monday the Rams had yet to name a starting quarterback to replace Anthoney Hill. Sophomore Moses Moreno and junior Daren Wilkinson are the QB candidates.
FRESNO STATE: Veteran coach Jim Sweeney has 191 career victories and could join Edwards in the exclusive 200-win club if the Bulldogs have a big year. After a disappointing 5-7-1 season in '94, Sweeney signed a group of 20 junior college transfers. While several of the J.C. recruits haven't made grades, Sweeney said Monday six transfers will start the opener. Charlie Jones and Brian Roberson are two main reasons The Sporting News rates Fresno State's receiving corps as the fourth best in the nation. Richie Donati, who threw for 2,254 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, is battling junior college transfer Jim Arellanes for the starting QB job.
AIR FORCE: Every year Falcon coach Fisher DeBerry say his team is planning on passing the ball more, but it usually doesn't happen. With quarterback Beau Morgan back, Air Force may really put the ball in the air with semi-regularity this season. Still, running the ball out of the wishbone will be the Falcon's bread and butter. Jake Campbell, who rushed for 689 yards last season, is the team's top returning running back. Air Force starts the year with three key games against conference rivals - BYU, Wyoming and Colorado State. All three games are at Falcon Stadium.
SAN DIEGO STATE: Ted Tollner's second year in "America's Finest City" could see the Aztecs rejoin the WAC's elite. Tollner, the former USC coach, returns the most starters of any team in the conference . Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover and free safety Ricky Parker are returning all-WAC players, while quarterback Billy Blanton (1,586 yards passing, 15 TDs) also returns. As usual, the Aztecs have several outstanding receivers.
UTAH: The Utes, coming off the most successful season in the school's history, have more questions than Alex Trebeck. Gone are Mike McCoy, Luther Elliss, Bronzell Miller and the offensive line. Utah was the team hurt the worst by graduation losses. A big bonus was getting senior slotback/tight end/fullback Henry Lusk back after a medical hardship year. The Utes will need to find ways to get Lusk the ball and hope their inexperience won't cost them too many games if they hope to contend for the league crown. Seven of 11 games at Rice Stadium won't hurt.
WYOMING: Marcus Harris caught 71 passes for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. In other words, he averaged 119.2 yards per game and 20.2 yards per catch. No wonder Harris was voted as the preseason WAC Offensive Player of the Year. John Wallwork, a junior college transfer, will take over the quarterbacking duties for Wyoming. The Cowboys have seven defensive starters returning from last season's 6-6 team (4-4 in the WAC).
NEW MEXICO: Much to the delight of every WAC football coach but Dennis Franchione, the Stoney Case era is over. Case, the Lobos dangerous four-year starting QB, will be replaced by senior Scott Peterson. Winslow Oliver rushed for 706 yards last season despite being slowed by injuries and should have a better year this season behind an experience offensive line. New Mexico has a favorable schedule with seven home games including both Utah and BYU.
HAWAII: "We were in the wrong league last year," said Rainbow Warrior coach Bob Wagner. Hawaii went unbeaten against Pac-10 foes (2-0), but couldn't beat anyone in the WAC (0-8). Wagner's assistant coaching staff was shaken up after last year's last-place finish, as four new coaches were hired and two returning coaches got new assignments. The Rainbows have four QBs back that have started at least one game, but Glenn Freitas appears to be the front-runner for the job. The defense is led by George Noga, who is the younger brother of Niko, Pete and Al Noga who all went from the Rainbows to the NFL.
UTEP: Poor UTEP. The Miners have been predicted to take their usual place in the WAC cellar this season. They do have a talented running back, Toraino Singleton, who ran for a school record 1,271 yards last year. UTEP coach Charlie Bailey plans to start freshman John Rayborn at quarterback, but only four defensive starters return from last season's 3-7-1 team (1-6-1 WAC).