WAC coaches say Tech one better

[TECHAJUN]

RENO, Nev. -- Louisiana Tech was picked fourth in the 2005 Western Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll announced Thursday as the league's football media days concluded in Reno, Nev.

The Bulldogs finished at 6-6 last season and 5-3 in the WAC.

"Like I said yesterday about the media poll, all these preseason polls are great, but what do they really mean?," Louisiana Tech coach Jack Bicknell said. "They're really for the fans. They have nothing to do with how a team's season turns out. We're concentrating on getting ready for the regular season and where we stand at the end of it."

Bicknell faced print and electronic media reporters Thursday morning before heading home.


Three-time defending champion Boise State and Fresno State have been named the favorites in the 2005 WAC race. Last season, Boise State was 11-1 and currently has a WAC-record 26-game conference winning streak dating back to 2001. That loss was to Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs took a 48-42 home win.

Fresno State was 9-3 last year and has won three-straight bowl games.

Boise State and Fresno State received 60 points from the nine WAC coaches. Hawai'i finished third with 50 points. Louisiana Tech was selected fourth with 37 points followed by Nevada (35). San Jose State was picked sixth with 28 points. WAC newcomer New Mexico State was seventh (21), followed by fellow newcomers Utah State (20) and Idaho (13).

Following is the complete 2005 WAC football coaches' poll:

Rank Team Points
1. Boise State 60
2. Fresno State 60
3. Hawai'i 50
4. LOUISIANA TECH 37
5. Nevada 35
6. San Jose State 28
7. New Mexico State 21
8. Utah State 20
9. Idaho 13

[parisdog]

Besides the top 3 teams, that conference lineup sucks.


We've got to get in a more regional conference, or we're just wasting our time in DI-A.

[collardgreens]

It would be VERY unwise to count out Hal Mumme. He's gonna stir things up...