RENO, Nev. — Most of the reporters who cover Western Athletic Conference football expect Boise State's dynasty to extend another season — but they also think Fresno State has a good chance to topple it.
The three-time WAC champion Broncos were the media's top choice to win a fourth title in the annual preseason poll released Wednesday. Boise State, which hasn't lost in 26 conference games since 2001, went unbeaten in the regular season last year before a thrilling 44-40 loss to Louisville in the Liberty Bowl.
Though the Broncos are loaded with 17 returning starters for coach Dan Hawkins, Fresno State's talent-laden roster also earned plenty of respect from the preseason pundits.
Boise State got 499 total points in the poll, including 43 of the 57 first-place votes. The other 14 went to coach Pat Hill's Bulldogs, who finished second with 470 points after closing last season with six straight wins, including a bowl victory over Virginia.
"That's the way it should be, because they're the champs until somebody knocks them off," Fresno State quarterback Paul Pinegar said of the Broncos. "They deserve that honor, but I know we're looking forward to playing them."
Hawaii (339) edged Nevada (336) for third place in the poll. Louisiana Tech (325) was fifth, followed by New Mexico State (181), San Jose State (175), Utah State (125) and Idaho (115).
Much has changed about the WAC in the last year, with Utah State, New Mexico State and Idaho replacing UTEP, Tulsa, Rice and Southern Methodist in a re-configured nine-team league.
But the conference hierarchy remains much the same, with Boise State and Fresno State generally thought to be a cut above the rest. The schools won't meet until Nov. 10, and both face difficult non-conference games befitting their national profiles — Boise State travels to Georgia and Oregon State, while Fresno State visits Southern California and Oregon.
"Boise State and Fresno State are definitely the two WAC teams that everybody thinks about, and with good reason," New Mexico State linebacker Jimmy Cottrell said. "The rest of us are chasing those teams, but this is a strong league, top to bottom. I don't think they'll coast to a 1-2 finish, that's for sure."
Since Hawkins took over for Dirk Koetter at Boise State in 2001, the Broncos have won all four meetings with Hill's Bulldogs. Unless that streak ends, players from both schools agree Boise State will be the prohibitive conference favorite.
"We're glad that we're the team to beat," said Broncos offensive tackle Daryn Colledge, a fourth-year starter. "If we didn't know a target was on our back, we might fall asleep. This keeps us focused. It might be nicer to be (considered) third or fourth and then sneak in for a title, but we'll just let that target get bigger."
Jared Zabransky, Boise State's junior quarterback, was named the preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He seamlessly took over for Ryan Dinwiddie last season, passing for 2,927 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 326 yards and 13 more scores.
Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre was named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year. McIntyre, a former walk-on from the Reno area, will play on both ends of the Bulldogs' line after starting at tackle last season, when he made seven sacks.
"It's a huge honor, but it's more about the past than the future," McIntyre said. "It doesn't affect what I want out of this year for our team."
WAC preseason poll
Rank Team Points
1. Boise State (43) 499
2. Fresno State (14) 470
3. Hawaii 339
4. Nevada 336
5. Louisiana Tech 325
6. New Mexico State 181
7. San Jose State 175
8. Utah State 125
9. Idaho 115
(1st place votes)