2006 WAC Predictions

Here are the 2006 WAC predictions courtesy of Marc Lawrence. If you are looking for a quality handicapper this fall then try picking up one of his college football picks packages. You won't want to miss a single day of winners from this long time winner.

I’ll bet you didn’t know in the last four years the WAC owns the 2nd best win percentage of all conferences in bowl games (8-6). In addition, the top three teams in the league own 140 victories since 2001, the 4th best mark of top-trio teams in all other conferences in the land (better than the Big 10). Things aren’t as wacky in the WAC as you might have imagined.

Here is my take on the WAC CONFERENCE for 2006. Enjoy…

BOISE STATE
The biggest question surrounding this program is, ‘Was Dan the man, or is it the magical blue-smurf turf’ that has accounted for Boise State’s lofty status in Division 1-A football this decade? (Boise’s 63 wins is topped by only three other teams this decade) Gone is head coach Dan Hawkins, the new Colorado mentor. In his stead is Chris Peterson, former Broncos’ OC, and a finalist for the Frank Broyles award (recognizing the nation’s top assistant coach) in 2002 and 2004. Peterson will enjoy the luxury of having 18 returning starters at his disposal, including star QB Jared Zabransky, a senior who has started 25 straight games (20-5). Don’t buck these Broncos.
PLAY ON: vs. Fresno State (11/1)

FRESNO STATE
Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere. That is Pat Hill’s philosophy when it comes to squaring off against the opposition. In his nine years with the Bulldogs Hill has take on 44 non-conference opponents, only 15 at home (he’s 26-12 ATS those games, including 7-0 ATS with revenge). He lost 4-year starting QB Paul Pinegar and all-WAC DE Garrett McIntyre to the NFL draft, meaning there are some serious holes to plug in 2006. Their 7-game bowl streak is the longest of any West Coast team. Even minus McIntyre, we especially like the fact this defense has improved each of the last three years. They’re also 46-10 SU from November out under Hill, and that’s against Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere.
PLAY ON: vs. Oregon (9/9)

HAWAII
From an empty cupboard to Overstock.com, Warriors’ head coach June Jones is happy to be logging on in 2006. Last year Hawaii featured a mere nine returning starters and, as a result, missed out on a bowl bid for the first time in four years. This season the Grass Skirts return a walloping 61 lettermen, including 15 starters from last year’s 5-7 edition. In addition, eight home games should virtually guarantee a return to the post-season. Junior QB Colt Brennan is back after establishing 11 school records while leading the nation in total offensive yards last season. It looks to be bombs away in Pearl Harbor in ’06.
PLAY ON: vs. Nevada (10/7)

IDAHO
Like the Prodigal Son, Dennis Erickson has returned home. It all began in Moscow (Idaho, that is) for Erickson back in 1982 when he took the reins of the then Division 1-AA Vandals. Twenty-four years later, Erickson brings 17 years (and a glossy 145-56-1 SU & 80-59-4 ATS record) of college football, and six years of NFL head coaching experience, to his old home. Ironically, he’ll open the 2006 season against former UI coach John L. Sullivan when his team travels to Michigan State. In addition, he’ll also take on two former employers when he visits Oregon State and Washington State in PAC 10 action. Who says you can never return home?
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Michigan State (9/2)

LOUISIANA TECH
It seems you just can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The Bulldogs were hitting on all cylinders at season’s end last year with wins in five of their final six games. Unfortunately blowout losses in their first two non-conference road games left them unappealing to bowl scouts. In seven years behind head coach Jack Bicknell, La Tech has tackled 31 bowl teams, 24 BCS opponents and 20 teams residing in the Top 15. It will be nothing different in 2006 when they open the season on the road in four of their first five games against the likes of Nebraska, Texas A&M, Clemson and Boise State. Some dogs never learn.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Clemson (9/30)

NEVADA
Back for his 3rd term at Nevada, Chris Ault (177-73-1 career) captured his 8th conference championship with the Wolf Pack last year. Not only did they lead the nation in Time of Possession (33:12), they extended the nation’s longest active scoring streak to 304 games. This is definitely a program on the rise and it shows. They return 14 starters from last year’s championship squad, plus a starter in 2004, offensive lineman (J.J. Milan), who sat out last year with an injury. If they get by their initial four games (all versus bowlers) they can literally write another bowl bid in 2006. Rest assured they’ll come out on the attack.
PLAY ON: vs. Colorado State (9/16)

NEW MEXICO STATE
Yikes. The Aggies foray into the WAC last year was a total disaster as they not only failed to win game throughout the entire season, but also went 0-8 ATS in conference play. It has Hal Mumme scratching his head wondering what went wrong. For starters, his ‘air-raid’ offense simply couldn’t overcome the nation’s worst defense. That needs to be addressed in a major way. The new signal caller will be 6’ 6” QB Chase Holbrook, a transfer from SE Louisiana, who came in with Mumme last year. Keep this thought in mind: teams that were winless the previous season are 14-3-2 ATS at home against a foe off a SU underdog win since 1982. We’ll be watching.
PASS

SAN JOSE STATE
Veteran head coach Dick Tomey did an admirable job in his first year with the Spartans last season, winning both of their final two games of the season while improving the offense and the defense. He’ll look to build on the season-ending victories behind eight returning starters on offense and the benefit of seven home games in 2006. More than that, though, is Tomey’s Marine-like approach to defense. Last year’s unit allowed 112 fewer points than the team he inherited, making San Jose one of eleven teams to yield 110 or fewer points in 2005. The defensive line was gutted, making his approach even more challenging in ’06.
PASS

UTAH STATE
When does playing seven road games in the same season prove to be an advantage? When you’re doing it for the 3rd time in four years. FYI: teams playing in their 7th road game of the year are 57-76-4 ATS, including 27-52-3 ATS without revenge. Second year head coach Brent Guy, a former defensive coordinator at Arizona State, welcomes back a compliment of offensive skill people. Better yet, Guy played 20 freshmen in 2005, 12 of whom started at least one game, He will need to find a go-to running back, however, as a player other than a RB lead the team in rushing nine of eleven games last season. Bret’s our guy.
PLAY ON: vs. Louisiana Tech (10/21)