Utah State might have a robust — for the Aggies — two-game win streak.

But they also still have only six total wins over the past three seasons and that fact, coupled with the loss of several impact players on offense, means Utah State is back where it's accustomed to being — last in the Western Athletic Conference preseason polls.

The Aggies were predicted by both the WAC coaches and the media covering the conference to finish ninth. The conference is holding it football preview meetings at the Salt Lake City Airport Hilton and much like in recent years, Utah State is expected to struggle.

"It's just motivation for the football team and the coaching staff," USU coach Brent Guy said Wednesday morning after the polls were released. "I guess they see where we've been and see that we lost two NFL draft picks and everybody thinks that we've got to be down."

Boise State, which got 25 first-place votes, was selected by the media as the favorite to win the conference crown, while Fresno State, with seven first-place votes, earned the top spot in the coaches poll. The Broncos were second in the coaches poll and the Bulldogs second in the media balloting.

A year ago, Utah State finished 2-10 but held leads in the final quarter of six games. Guy said he hopes those close losses and the modest success of winning two games down the stretch, will translate into a few more wins.

Still, the last-place showing in the preseason polls carries a little bit of a punch to the ego.

"It's just an opinion," Guy said. "Everybody's entitled to an opinion. It's where we are in November that matters most."

WAC Preseason coaches poll

1. Fresno State (7) — 63
2. Boise State (2) — 57
3. Nevada — 43
4. Hawaii — 41
5. Louisiana Tech — 33
5. San Jose State — 33
7. New Mexico State — 26
8. Idaho — 15
9. Utah State — 13

WAC Preseason media poll

1. Boise State (25) — 383
2. Fresno State (20) — 379
3. Nevada — 296
4. Hawaii — 243
5. Louisiana Tech — 209
6. San Jose State — 183
7. New Mexico State — 167
8. Idaho — 87
9. Utah State — 78

---

E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com