WAC Power Rankings - Week Seven

As a weekly feature on Inside Sparta this season, Senior Editor Mike Morgan ranks the Western Athletic Conference from top to bottom. Here's how he sees it after Week Seven.

Not a lot of changes from last week’s rankings. Everybody is beginning to settle into their respective positions. It’s a shame that the Boise State versus Fresno State match-up came so early in the season. Bowl eligible Idaho begins a four game stretch that will truly determine if the Vandals have actually arrived as a WAC power. San Jose State has the week off, which may or may not help them prepare for their trip to Boise on Halloween.


WAC Power Ranking – Week 7

# 1: Boise State (6-0, 1-0 WAC) Last week #1. Defeated Tulsa 28-21
Some saw the Bronco’s seven point victory at Tulsa as evidence that they do not belong in the National Championship hunt. It was still a quality road win over a very good team. Boise State came in at No. 4 in the first BCS poll this week. That’s the good news. The bad news is their remaining schedule may erode that position no matter how well they play.
Next up: at Hawaii

#2: Fresno State (3-3, 2-1 WAC) Last week #2. Defeated San Jose State 41-21
Running back Ryan Mathews continued his tour through the defensive backfields of the WAC with 233 yards against San Jose State. Not even Boise State’s defense could stop him. There’s no reason to believe that any other defense in the WAC will be able to either.
Next up: at New Mexico State

#3: Idaho (6-1, 3-0 WAC) Last week # 3. Defeated Hawaii 35-23
The Vandals are racking up victories against schools they’ve never defeated since joining the WAC in 2005. Too bad only 12K are showing up to watch this pretty good team.
Next up: at Nevada

#4: Nevada (3-3, 2-0) Last week # 4. Defeated Utah State 35-32
The Wolf Pack lead the conference in team rushing, despite not having Ryan Mathews in their backfield. The week’s game presents a big opportunity for Nevada to move up in the rankings, and take a major step in bowl eligibility.
Next up: vs Idaho

#5: Louisiana Tech (3-3, 2-1 WAC) Last week #5. Defeated New Mexico State 45-7
Out there on their island called Ruston, the Bulldogs are becoming the eastern version of the Hawaii Warriors. Win big at home, struggle on the road.
Next up: at Utah State

#6: Hawaii (2-4, 0-3 WAC) Last week #6. Lost to Idaho 35-23
At the rate the Hawaii players are losing games, their haka skills are going to get mighty rusty. They’ll be no dancing this week, as the mighty Boise State Broncos come to the islands..
Next up: vs Boise State

#7: San Jose State (1-5, 0-2 WAC) Last week # 7. Lost to Fresno State 41-21
It’s starting to look like that all seven FBS teams that the Spartans have faced to start the season are headed to bowl games. No school in the country can lay claim to that tought a schedule. Still, this team has clearly slipped the past couple of years.
Next up: Bye, then at Boise State

#8: Utah State (1-5, 0-2 WAC) Last week # 9. Lost to Nevada 35-32
Aggies’ quarterback Diondre Borel is dynamite. The Aggies’ run defense is not. Still, this team is better than their record shows.
Next up: vs Louisiana Tech

#9: New Mexico State (3-4, 1-2 WAC) Last week # 8. Lost to Louisiana Tech 45-7
After finding themselves at .500 in mid-October, the Aggies laid a rather large egg at Louisiana Tech, where they only had six first downs in the entire game. Back to the cellar for them.
Next up: vs Fresno State

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Mike Morgan is a Senior Editor for Inside Sparta. You may contact Mike with any questions, comments, or tips at

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