| Be prepared to hear quite a bit about the
| |
| | their third bowl win in the last six
|
| Western Athletic Conference this year.
| |
| | years. Chang left college as the NCAA's
|
| Just as Utah made a commanding run into
| |
| | all-time leading passer, topping Ty
|
| the BCS Top Five last season out of the
| |
| | Detmer's mark by over 2,000 yards. Also
|
| lowly Mountain West, the WAC features a
| |
| | gone is WR Chad Owens, who tallied 22
|
| pair of clubs that could do some serious
| |
| | touchdowns in '04.Strengths: Coach June
|
| damage to the bowl hopes of schools in
| |
| | Jones insists that all five of his
|
| the major conferences.According to the
| |
| | offensive starters this year along the
|
| USA Today preseason poll, the WAC is home
| |
| | offensive line will be in the NFL at some
|
| to two of the top 26 teams in the
| |
| | point. Yeah, he's probably blowing smoke,
|
| country. Boise State is currently ranked
| |
| | but there is some talent there. The best
|
| No. 19 in the nation, and Fresno State is
| |
| | of the lot is 6-foot-2 guard Samson
|
| No. 26. Fresno State is a mere four
| |
| | Satele. Also, after hiring run-and-shoot
|
| points out of the Top 25 (188 pts. to
| |
| | godfather Mouse Davis to coach special
|
| Pittsburgh's 192 pts.). Not too
| |
| | teams in '04, Jones brought in Jerry
|
| shabby.Boise State has a chance to make
| |
| | Glanville to coach up the
|
| its presence felt on the national scene
| |
| | defense.Weakness: Even Jones admits that
|
| early on this fall. The Broncos travel to
| |
| | this is a rebuilding year. Besides their
|
| face SEC powerhouse Georgia in Athens on
| |
| | quarterback, Hawaii waved goodbye to its
|
| Sept. 3. If they manage to win that game,
| |
| | four leading receivers. Glanville will be
|
| they should be undefeated by the time the
| |
| | good for some ridiculous quotes, but can
|
| square off against the Bulldogs in early
| |
| | he improve the 112th-ranked defense? They
|
| November.As for the rest of the
| |
| | gave up an absurd 252 yards per game on
|
| conference, three Sun Belt refugees have
| |
| | the ground last year. Also, their
|
| made their way into the mix - New Mexico
| |
| | schedule is brutal with USC, Michigan
|
| State, Idaho and Utah State. None of
| |
| | State and Wisconsin on the on-conference
|
| those teams figure to factor much in the
| |
| | slate.Best Bet: Nov. 25, 2005 vs.
|
| mix, but each are trying to establish a
| |
| | Wisconsin. The Warriors are 13-6 ATS
|
| base for programs that aspire to reach
| |
| | under Jones, and should be dogs in this
|
| the level of national respect that it
| |
| | post-Thanksgiving game. I think the
|
| looks like Boise and Fresno have
| |
| | timing, along with Wisconsin's
|
| achieved.The following is Doc's detailed
| |
| | unfamiliarity with Hawaii's style, will
|
| analysis of each Western Athletic
| |
| | lead to a cover.Be Wary Of: Sept. 10,
|
| Conference team highlighting their
| |
| | 2005 at Michigan State. The Spartans came
|
| strengths, weaknesses, and strength of
| |
| | to Hawaii last year and got molested by
|
| schedule.Fresno State Bulldogs (11-1,
| |
| | the officials. It's not going to be
|
| 8-0)Fresno State closed out 2004 with a
| |
| | pretty how they exact revenge in East
|
| flourish. They ended took out their wrath
| |
| | Lansing.Idaho Vandals (3-8, 3-5)This
|
| after a loss to Boise State by blasting
| |
| | isn't going to be pretty. Idaho was 3-9
|
| their last five conference foes by an
| |
| | last season while playing in the Sun
|
| average of 40 points (all big time
| |
| | Belt, and now their moving up in class to
|
| covers). They then claimed an upset win
| |
| | the WAC. First-year coach Nick Holt did
|
| (outright) in a bowl game for the third
| |
| | an admirable job coaxing what he could
|
| year in a row, coming from behind to top
| |
| | out of an undermanned squad that only
|
| Virginia 37-34 in overtime in the MPC
| |
| | played two true home games. This year, he
|
| Computers Bowl. With increased national
| |
| | returns just 13 starters and will be
|
| recognition for their accomplishments,
| |
| | hard-pressed to contend with the likes of
|
| the goal for the Bulldogs now is to end
| |
| | Boise State and Fresno State.Strengths:
|
| Boise State's reign in the WAC. Fresno
| |
| | Two freshman running backs, Jayson Bird
|
| has lost four straight
| |
| | and Rolly Lumbala, combined for 1,433
|
| meetings.Strengths: 17 starters include
| |
| | yards. Bird averaged 5.9 yards per carry.
|
| linebacker Dwayne Andrews and quarterback
| |
| | Michael Harrington completed 66 percent
|
| Paul Pinegar. Pinegar completed 60
| |
| | of his passes (up from 46 percent in '03)
|
| percent of his passes last fall and 11
| |
| | and found wideout Bobby Bernal-Wood 96
|
| different receivers had more than five
| |
| | times. Those 96 grabs were fourth in the
|
| catchers. Wendell Mathis (995) was five
| |
| | country. Also, all-Sun Belt performer
|
| yards away from giving the Bulldogs two
| |
| | Cole Snyder joins Mike Anderson to lead
|
| 1,000-yard rushers (Bryson Sumlin had
| |
| | the linebacking corps.Weakness:
|
| 1,104). The defense brings back eight
| |
| | Harrington didn't exactly get a ringing
|
| starters on a crew that finished 13th
| |
| | endorsement from Holt in spring practice
|
| nationally in both passing yards allowed
| |
| | after the coach refused to name him the
|
| and third down efficiency.Weakness: Team
| |
| | starter over juco transfer Steve Wichman.
|
| MVP Logan Mankins is now starting for the
| |
| | A QB controversy is not something that a
|
| New England Patriots, and though four
| |
| | program that will struggle not to drown
|
| starters return they are still pretty
| |
| | in its new league needs. Also, the
|
| green up front (two sophomores and a
| |
| | secondary was terrible last season (gave
|
| freshman). Garrett McIntyre is the only
| |
| | up 200 yards rushing and 230 in the air)
|
| returning defensive lineman for the
| |
| | and hasn't shown signs of
|
| league's top defense in '04.Best Bet:
| |
| | improvement.Best Bet: Oct. 1, 2005 at
|
| Sept. 17, 2005 at Oregon. Statement game.
| |
| | UNLV. The Vandals are above water ATS as
|
| Big time. Fresno State is 13-2 versus
| |
| | road dogs (17-14 the last seven years)
|
| teams from the BCS leagues, and has eight
| |
| | and are a respectable 12-8 on grass. I
|
| outright wins in those contests. Also,
| |
| | don't know if they're good enough to
|
| they're recently 8-1 vs. the Pac 10. Be
| |
| | steal a road win against the Rebels, but
|
| careful though, the Bulldogs have gone
| |
| | they should cover against a team of
|
| only 12-12 on artificial turf the last
| |
| | comparable skill.Be Wary Of: Nov. 19,
|
| seven years.Be Wary Of: Nov. 12, 2005 vs.
| |
| | 2005 at Boise State. Four of Idaho's nine
|
| Boise State. This is it. This game will
| |
| | losses in 2004 came by more than 30
|
| be for the conference championship, and
| |
| | points. One of those was a 65-7 debacle
|
| the Bulldogs get to play it at home. I do
| |
| | versus their in state "rival".Louisiana
|
| think this is the year they get over the
| |
| | Tech Bulldogs(3-8, 2-6)Ryan Moats, the
|
| hump, but the number on this game could
| |
| | 5-foot-8 dynamo that electrified the
|
| be deceiving. If they're getting points,
| |
| | crowds of Joe Aillet Stadium has taken
|
| it's a trap bet. If they're giving
| |
| | his road show to the NFL, leaving a
|
| points, just make sure it's less than
| |
| | gaping hole in the Bulldogs offense.
|
| six.Boise State Broncos (10-2, 7-1)Don't
| |
| | Though he started only 22 games, last
|
| let the gimmicky offense and blue field
| |
| | year's WAC Offensive Player of the Year
|
| fool you - Boise State is one of the top
| |
| | finished his brief career with almost
|
| programs in all of college football. The
| |
| | 3,200 yards. And those numbers didn't
|
| Broncos were one quarter away from an
| |
| | come against cupcakes. The Bulldogs had
|
| undefeated season last year, suffering
| |
| | one of the toughest schedules in the
|
| its first loss at the hands of Louisville
| |
| | nation in '04, squaring off against six
|
| 44-40 in the Liberty Bowl. Amazingly,
| |
| | nationally ranked teams. They shouldn't
|
| that loss makes Boise State 37-3 over its
| |
| | face more than half of that number this
|
| last 40 games. The other defeat was a
| |
| | fall.Strengths: Freshman Patrick Jackson
|
| two-pointer to Oregon State in '03. The
| |
| | could end up filling the void left by
|
| Broncos have won 26 consecutive
| |
| | Moats. Jackson ran for more than 3,000
|
| conference games and three straight WAC
| |
| | yards and 58 touchdowns as a senior in
|
| titles. Also, they've been to five bowl
| |
| | high school in '04. If he follows behind
|
| games in the last six years, going 4-1
| |
| | all-WAC guard Aaron Lips he could have a
|
| (overall and against the spread) in that
| |
| | breakout year. The defense is spotty, but
|
| period.Strengths: Eight starters on both
| |
| | they do return three senior linebackers,
|
| sides of the ball will make their way
| |
| | led by Ladarius Love.Weakness: La. Tech
|
| back to Bronco Stadium this fall.
| |
| | is on its fifth defensive coordinator in
|
| Quarterback Jared Zabransky, who passed
| |
| | the last five years. They were college
|
| for 16 touchdowns and rushed for 13 more
| |
| | football's worst D in 2003. Giving up 32
|
| in 2004, and linebacker Korey Hall, the
| |
| | points a game last year was an
|
| top returning tackler are both back in
| |
| | improvement, but only four starters are
|
| blue. All four of the Broncos top rushers
| |
| | back from that suffocating unit. The
|
| (including Jon Helmandollar, who had 14
| |
| | Bulldogs also don't have a quarterback,
|
| touchdowns in 46 carries) return, as do
| |
| | with three signal-callers still lost in
|
| four stellar offensive linemen. The
| |
| | the indomitable shadow left by 2003 grad
|
| defense is stout in the middle, and
| |
| | Luke McCown.Best Bet: Nov. 12, 2005 at
|
| safety Cam Hall and cornerback Gerald
| |
| | Idaho. Having to close the season against
|
| Alexander (5 INT's) bring some experience
| |
| | Fresno and Boise, this will probably mark
|
| to the secondary.Weakness: Leading
| |
| | the Bulldogs' last shot at a win in '04.
|
| receiver T.J. Acree graduated, and Boise
| |
| | Also, they've won at least one game on
|
| will be relying on juco transfer Cole
| |
| | turf every season since 2001.Be Wary Of:
|
| Clasen to pick up the slack. Defensively,
| |
| | Sept. 10, 2005 at Florida. Cover your
|
| two-way player Quinton Jones will be
| |
| | eyes and hide the women and children. La.
|
| expected to make the change from RB/WR to
| |
| | Tech is 0-6 the last few years ATS as
|
| starting cornerback. The nation's leading
| |
| | dogs of more than 21 points. The Urban
|
| scorer in '04, kicker Tyler Jones, has
| |
| | Meyer Era should begin pretty swimmingly
|
| moved on and punter Kyle Stringer will
| |
| | in the swamp against the Bulldogs.San
|
| likely take on double-duty. Also, the
| |
| | Jose State Spartans (3-8, 2-6)The good
|
| schedule is a bit tougher with trips to
| |
| | news for the Spartans is that 67-year-old
|
| Georgia, Oregon State, Fresno State and
| |
| | Dick Tomey is rip roarin' and ready to
|
| Hawaii looming.Best Bet: Sept. 10, 2005
| |
| | go. Tomey is currently eighth on the
|
| at Oregon State. If Boise State loses to
| |
| | active list of winningest coaches at the
|
| Georgia in its season opener, it will
| |
| | Division I-A level, with a 158-110-7
|
| drop the line on this game. Don't be
| |
| | career record. The bad news is that this
|
| fooled - the Broncos are the far superior
| |
| | is barely a Div. I-A roster, and the
|
| team. BSU is 2-0 as road dogs the last
| |
| | average attendance of SJSU home games
|
| two years.Be Wary Of: Oct. 22, 2005 at
| |
| | last season was about 6,500. Oh yeah, and
|
| Utah State. I know this sounds crazy, and
| |
| | they are the second worst program at
|
| I don't think there's a chance in hell
| |
| | graduating players "in a timely manner,"
|
| that the Aggies pull the upset, but Boise
| |
| | as noted by the NCAA. Tomey, you sure you
|
| State is only 14-11 the last two years
| |
| | don't want to retire?Strengths: Seven
|
| ATS, and is 0-3 as favorites of more than
| |
| | starters return from last year's defense.
|
| four touchdowns. It takes a certain type
| |
| | New offensive coordinator Ken Margerum
|
| of animal to beat a team by 40. The
| |
| | thinks this receiving core is better than
|
| Broncos might not be it.New Mexico State
| |
| | the one he left at Stanford. Lamar
|
| Aggies (7-5, 5-3)Hal Mumme is bringing
| |
| | Ferguson, this year's starter at running
|
| his traveling sideshow to Aggie Memorial
| |
| | back is only 5-feet, 5-inches. I'm sure
|
| Stadium. Mumme made a national name for
| |
| | the novelty on that will wear off quick,
|
| himself by actually turning Kentucky into
| |
| | but at least it's something. How about
|
| a relatively competitive football program
| |
| | this: over its last 16 games, the
|
| in the SEC. After four years at the
| |
| | Spartans are 9-7 against the
|
| school, Mumme was run out amidst rumors
| |
| | spread.Weakness: Everything else.
|
| of impropriety. He resurfaced at
| |
| | Quarterback Adam Tafralis is an
|
| Southeast Louisiana, where he had another
| |
| | accomplished discus thrower, but not much
|
| successful two-year run. Now it's on to
| |
| | of a passer. Tafralis completed just 44
|
| New Mexico, where he could put the Aggies
| |
| | percent of this throws last season in
|
| in the position of spoiler for Boise or
| |
| | limited action. He's excited about the
|
| Fresno, and should at least find his way
| |
| | new offense though, and has been quoted
|
| to the school's first ever bowl
| |
| | as saying, "There's a lot more of a plan,
|
| game.Strengths: The Aggies' offense has a
| |
| | instead of just flipping a coin."Best
|
| real nice core for Mumme to work his
| |
| | Bet: Oct. 22, 2005 vs. Hawaii. Tomey will
|
| magic with. He has the team's five
| |
| | have his charges fired up in this matchup
|
| leading receivers back, three offensive
| |
| | against one of his old teams. Also, the
|
| linemen, and the top three rushers. The
| |
| | Spartans have covered the spread against
|
| most intriguing prospect is converted
| |
| | the Warriors in each of the past two
|
| quarterback Paul Dombroski, who is now a
| |
| | seasons.Be Wary Of: Oct. 8, 2005 at Utah
|
| full time slot receiver. Linebacker Jimmy
| |
| | State. This clash of WAC cellar dwellers
|
| Cottrell has led the team in tackles for
| |
| | should be riveting. Amazingly enough, San
|
| three straight seasons, and is back to
| |
| | Jose State is 8-1 ATS over the last seven
|
| anchor the defense.Weakness: Like several
| |
| | years as a road favorite. If they're
|
| other teams in this division, they don't
| |
| | giving points here, take the Spartans all
|
| have a quarterback. Junior Joey Vincent
| |
| | the way to the bank!Utah State Aggies
|
| and juco transfer Royal Gill with fight
| |
| | (3-9, 2-6)The highlight of the Aggies'
|
| for reps this fall. Also, while they may
| |
| | season in 2004 was their 34-point second
|
| be the most well equipped team to make
| |
| | half for a comeback win over New Mexico
|
| the jump from the Sun Belt to the WAC,
| |
| | State in the final game of the year. The
|
| they're still tossing themselves into a
| |
| | win was a fond farewell for coach Mick
|
| conference with preexisting hierarchy and
| |
| | Dennehy, who had been fired 12 days
|
| will be facing teams with a greater skill
| |
| | earlier. Utah State is welcoming new
|
| level than they're used to.Best Bet:
| |
| | coach Brent Guy, a former Aggies
|
| Sept. 17, 2005 at New Mexico. The Lobos
| |
| | assistant under Charlie Weatherbie and
|
| whooped up on the Aggies 38-3 last year,
| |
| | has been at Arizona State for the past
|
| and will be playing at home. This should
| |
| | four years. To say that the Aggies will
|
| lead to a double-digit spread with the
| |
| | have a tough adjustment moving to the WAC
|
| Aggies getting points. The teams are
| |
| | would be an understatement, given that
|
| pretty even in strength, and have the
| |
| | they tied for last in the Sun Belt last
|
| whole in-state rivalry thing going on. I
| |
| | fall.Strengths: For the second straight
|
| think NMSU could win outright, but I'll
| |
| | year, the strength of the team should be
|
| settle for a cover.Be Wary Of: Sept. 24,
| |
| | the secondary. The defensive line also
|
| 2005 vs. California. Yes, they'll be all
| |
| | has some talent, but needs to improve
|
| amped up for this one, but the Aggies are
| |
| | against the run (90th nationally in
|
| 0-4 after playing New Mexico, including a
| |
| | 2004). Wide receiver Kevin Robinson led
|
| terrible home loss to Idaho in 2003 and a
| |
| | the squad with 602 yards and managed 22.5
|
| 45-0 drubbing at the hands of UTEP in
| |
| | yards per punt return, second in the
|
| 2004.Nevada Wolfpack (5-6, 4-4)Through
| |
| | nation to Ohio State's Ted Ginn
|
| three separate tours with the Wolfpack,
| |
| | Jr.Weakness: If Utah State is to match
|
| coach Chris Ault has had only two losing
| |
| | last year's win total (3), they need to
|
| seasons in 20 years. One of them was last
| |
| | improve their run defense. They were
|
| year's 5-7 disappointment. This season
| |
| | 115th in the country last season against
|
| Nevada is sort of a dark horse team in
| |
| | the run, yielding 192 yards a game. It
|
| the WAC. Now, obviously they aren't going
| |
| | could be tough to shore up that area on
|
| to overthrow Boise or Fresno, but with a
| |
| | defense given that the Aggies lost their
|
| soft non-conference schedule they could
| |
| | top four linebackers from last
|
| pull out 7 wins and make their first bowl
| |
| | season.Best Bet: Nov. 5, 2005 vs.
|
| appearance since 1996.Strengths:
| |
| | Louisiana Tech. Utah State is forced to
|
| Quarterback Jeff Rowe and Nichiren
| |
| | play Fresno State, Boise State and at
|
| Flowers hooked up 91 times last fall, the
| |
| | Alabama in consecutive weeks. The
|
| fifth-highest total in the country. Both
| |
| | Bulldogs will be a welcome sight for the
|
| are back, along with Caleb Spencer (67
| |
| | Aggies.Be Wary Of: Oct. 1, 2005 at Idaho.
|
| catches for 761 yards), to provide the
| |
| | Utah State has split against the Vandals
|
| offensive punch for Nevada. The defense
| |
| | the past two years, but hasn't covered
|
| returns eight starters (though they were
| |
| | against Idaho the last four years. The
|
| terrible as a group last year). Jeremy
| |
| | two are familiar foes from the Sun Belt,
|
| Engstrom had a solid freshmen year, and
| |
| | so a close game should ensue.Overall
|
| will team up with a juco transfer and
| |
| | Expectations:Top-heavy is the best way to
|
| another true freshmen to lead the
| |
| | describe he WAC this season. I think that
|
| linebackers.Weakness: The defense has
| |
| | Boise State has a more difficult schedule
|
| yielded less than 31 points per game only
| |
| | than Fresno State, and that will give the
|
| once in the last six years. They do
| |
| | Bulldogs a slight edge. I think the two
|
| return the eight starters, but they let
| |
| | clubs are very close in talent, and while
|
| up 210 rushing yards per game last season
| |
| | Boise State may be better, I have a
|
| and 14 yards per pass. Leading rusher
| |
| | feeling that Fresno's home-field
|
| Chance Kretschmer has also moved on after
| |
| | advantage will win out when the two meet
|
| three solid years, leaving a void in the
| |
| | in what should be their only competitive
|
| Nevada running game.Best Bet: Oct. 1,
| |
| | conference game.The teams that joined the
|
| 2005 vs. San Jose State. Nevada has
| |
| | conference this season have certainly
|
| cleaned San Jose State's clock the last
| |
| | watered-down the league. I'm not sure
|
| two years, winning by double figures each
| |
| | where this league is headed in the long
|
| time and leading to two covers. With a
| |
| | term, but I know that this should be a
|
| little momentum after their
| |
| | season of unprecedented coverage for the
|
| pre-conference schedule, another
| |
| | WAC. Watch out for New Mexico State this
|
| double-digit win should be in the
| |
| | season. Finally, I think that this league
|
| cards.Be Wary Of: Nov. 12, at New Mexico
| |
| | is nothing more than two powerhouses that
|
| State. This should be a hotly contested
| |
| | will get to look a little better than
|
| game against the third and fourth best
| |
| | they really are by demolishing the WAC
|
| teams in the conference. The fact that
| |
| | bottom-feeders.Doc's Sports Recent
|
| Nevada is going to be a road dog (0-5 ATS
| |
| | Articles:2005 Big Ten PreviewUS Open
|
| in 2004) doesn't bode well for
| |
| | OddsNFL HoldoutsDoc's Sports Handicapping
|
| them.Hawaii Warriors (4-7, 3-5)Last year
| |
| | Service
|
| the Timmy Chang Era ended in the Aloha
| |
| | 1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports
|
| State with a flourish. The Warriors won
| |
| | has been recognized as one of the leaders
|
| their final three regular season games to
| |
| | and most trusted names in sports
|
| barely secure a bowl berth. They made the
| |
| | handicapping information.
|
| most of it by drubbing UAB 59-40 for
| |
| |
|
