Utah State football: Aggies picked last in WAC football polls

Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:14 a.m. MDT
E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
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.

Story continues below

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

Recent comments

Being picked last is a great place for the Aggies if they beat NMSU...

Providence Aggie | July 24, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.

Like any struggling organization it all begins at the top. There...

To: USU Athletic Director (Help) | July 24, 2008 at 8:56 a.m.

Both wins last year were at New Mexico State and at Idaho. If the...

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | July 23, 2008 at 11:03 p.m.

Latest comments

Justin, did you just seriously ask if Utah would be undefeated in the Pac-10?...

"While Mendenhall acknowledged there must be improvement, he said there are...

AP Top 25 Poll

ACCOMPLISHED!!! How FL is #1 when losing to an non ranked team at home is...

Utes finish No. 2 in AP poll

If Utah was the bridesmaide this year then BYU was the ugly stepsister that...

AP Top 25 Poll

What a great season!! All though I am disappointed we didn't make #1 my hats...

Your comments make me sick. I served two tours in Iraq with the 5th Marines....

There was only one perfect team and that was Utah. Ole Miss beat FL and was a...

I think I have gone through the whole grief cycle this week trying to...

If Collie is not on on the 2009 team Max Hall's leading receiver just might...

Advertisements