WAC at a glance

1. BOISE STATE — Broncos are counting on steadier play from QB Jared Zabransky, who threw 16 INTs last season ... RB Ian Johnson (5.6 ypc) and a line anchored by Ryan Clady and Tad Miller should ease the burden on Zabransky ... Schedule is easier this season, with toughest nonconference games coming at home against Oregon State and at Utah. Fresno State and Hawaii come to Boise.

2. NEVADA — Averaged 34.2 ppg on the way to a share of the WAC title and a win in the Hawaii Bowl over Central Florida last season ... Jeff Rowe (2,925 yards, 21 TDs) is back but team must replace WAC offensive player of the year RB B.J. Mitchell ... Seven starters return from defense that gave up 31.9 ppg ... Schedule is tough with season-opening games at Fresno State and Arizona State. Wolf Pack also travel to Hawaii and finish the season at home against Boise State.

3. FRESNO STATE — Need to replace four-year starting QB Paul Pinegar and the team's top two rushers — Wendell Mathis and Bryson Sumlin ... Tom Brandstater and Sean Norton will battle for the QB role. A difficult schedule as always, with a season opener against Nevada followed by a home game with Oregon and a trip to Washington. Bulldogs also travel to LSU on Oct. 21 and Boise State on Nov. 1.

4. HAWAII — Colt Brennan (4,301 yards, 35 TDs) returns to lead the dangerous run-and-shoot offense that averaged 30.7 ppg last season ... WRs Ryan Grice-Mullen and Davone Bess combined for 26 TDs as freshmen ... Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville looks for more success in his second season with the Warriors ... Hawaii has eight home games, including Purdue and Oregon State to end the season, but must travel to Alabama, Boise State and Fresno State.

5. LOUISIANA TECH — Coach Jack Bicknell got a two-year contract extension after leading the Bulldogs to a seven-win season, capped with a 40-28 victory at Fresno State ... QB situation is unsettled. Zac Champion, who has thrown eight passes in two years, will compete with redshirt freshman Michael Mosley and JC transfer Joe Danna for the starting job ... Nonconference schedule features road games at Nebraska, Texas A&M and Clemson, and the Bulldogs also must travel to Boise State.

6. SAN JOSE STATE — All-WAC RB Yonus Davis (6.7 ypc) leads an offense that returns four starters from the offensive line ... QB Adam Tafralis struggled last season with 10 INTs and will compete with JC transfer Sean Flynn for the starting job ... Only two starters return on defense ... After opening the season at Washington, the Spartans have four straight home games, including one against Stanford.