WAC polls

Well, here they are. The 2011 WAC preseason polls:

Coaches Poll
Rank Team (1st place votes) Points
1 Hawaii (5) 47
2 Fresno State (1) 41
3 Nevada (2) 40
4 Louisiana Tech 31
5 Utah State 22
6 Idaho 21
7 San Jose State 15
8 New Mexico State 7

Media poll
Rank Team (1st place votes) Points
1 Hawaii (18) 292
2 Fresno State (11) 284
3 Nevada (11) 264
4 Louisiana Tech 184
5 Utah State (1) 166
6 Idaho 141
7 San Jose State 85
8 New Mexico State 60

Nothing too surprising coming out of this.

In my mind the league will come down to Nevada and Fresno State but Hawaii has a good team and the best quarterback in the league in quarterback Bryant Moniz. They certainly are contenders.

I think the league will come down to which QB plays better between Nevada senior Tyler Lantrip and Fresno State sophomore Derek Carr. Nevada has a favorable WAC schedule and I believe they will be league champions.

I think Louisiana Tech could be a darkhorse and Idaho could be good, but lost a lot from last year.

Utah State returns Robert Turbin, a fine running back who was injured all of last year.

I think San Jose State and New Mexico State will both be better, although the Aggies will miss defensive linemen Donte Savage and Augafa Vaaulu.

I really think the Aggies season will be dictated by two early games — hosting Ohio Week 1 and hosting UTEP Week 3. If NMSU wins both, a four or five win season is within striking distance. If not, it could be a long year.