Preseason--Tech-5th

[TECHAJUN]

RENO, Nev. -- Louisiana Tech was picked fifth in the 2005 Western Athletic Conference preseason media poll announced Wednesday at the league's football media days being held in Reno, Nev.

The 2005 preseason coaches' poll will be released as the WAC media days conclude on Thursday.

Boise State was picked as the league's top team with 499 points and 43 first-place votes, followed by Fresno State with 470 points and 14 first-place votes, Hawaii (339), Nevada (336) and Louisiana Tech (325).

New Mexico State (181), San Jose State (175), Utah State (125) and Idaho (115) rounded out the conference's preseason media picks.

Tech coach Jack Bicknell, who will face print and electronic media reporters on Thursday, said he wasn't disappointed with the fifth-place pick for his Bulldogs.

"It's preseason, and where you're picked has nothing to do with what happens once the season starts," Bicknell said. "We're up there close to third place points wise, so it looks like the media feels we'll be competitive. The rest will be up to our team. If anything we can use it as a motivational tool to show that we'll be better than people thought we would."

Senior guard Aaron Lips represented the Bulldogs as he faced print and electronic media reporters on Wednesday and echoed his head coach's feelings on being selected fifth in the preseason poll.

"To be honest, a lot of players don't look at that preseason stuff too much," Lips said. "Being picked fifth, or even last, doesn't get at you, but it can make you feel like you have something to prove.

"In any conference there's always your preseason top team or two, but this is a conference where any team can surprise another with an upset win, and it's a conference where any team can surprise and win the title. We'll let all the preseason talk take care of itself and try to take care of business ourselves once the season starts."

Boise State's first-place selection wasn't a surprise as the Broncos went 11-1 last season and have won 26 straight conference games dating back to 2001 when Tech defeated BSU 48-42. Boise State has won three straight conference titles since Louisiana Tech won the championship in 2001, the first season in the WAC for the Bulldogs.

The media also voted on preseason players of the year. Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky was voted the Offensive Player of the Year while Fresno State defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year.

Zabransky, a junior from Hermiston, Ore. (Hermiston HS), led the Broncos to an 11-1 record in his first year as a starter last season. He threw for 2,927 yards and 16 touchdowns and led the WAC in passing efficiency with a rating of 146.99 as he completed 206-of-327 passes with 12 interceptions. He was second on the team in rushing with 326 yards and ran for 13 touchdowns.

McIntyre, a senior from South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (South Lake Tahoe), was a first-team all-WAC selection last season. He has started 25 consecutive games and racked up 46 tackles including 10.5 for a loss (6 sacks) last year.

Following is the complete 2005 WAC football media poll with first-place votes in parentheses:



Rank Team (1st place votes) Points
1. Boise State (43) 499
2. Fresno State (14) 470
3. Hawai'i 339
4. Nevada 336
5. LOUISIANA TECH 325
6. New Mexico State 181
7. San Jose State 175
8. Utah State 125
9. Idaho 115

[scubbdog]

The thing that I noticed first off with that 5th place is how there are a grand total of 14 points separating us and Hawaii. I think that they see that after the "obvious" picks of Boise and Fresno there is not clear 3rd. If we play well then we have an excellent chance of being 3rd or better. If mediocre is our route then 5th is probably right. God forbid, if we play badly then below 5th is where we may go. Everything this year hangs on the coaches getting our players to play with the ability that they have. If they can't pull it off this year...when exactly can they?