Boise State had a successful season in 2001, winning two-thirds of their games and tying for second place in the WAC. Seven starters from the offense return for the ’02 season while six of the defensive starters will be back for the Broncos. The non-conference schedule is fairly easy with only one big-name opponent on the schedule (Arkansas). The WAC schedule is challenging as always. Six of the Broncos twelve games are in Boise, and I feel the Broncos will have about the same record as last year in 2002.

After a fabulous start to the 2001 season, the Bulldogs lost a few games in the second half of the season and failed to make a BCS Bowl as they’d hoped. Although FSU lost QB David Carr to the NFL, seven starters from the offense and eight starters from the defense return to the 2002 Bulldog team. As it was last season, the non-conference slate is extremely difficult. Three of the five OOC games are on the road at major conference teams. I don’t feel the Dawgs will be as successful this season, but a winning season is definitely in reach for Fresno State.

Hawaii had a very successful season in 2001 and probably deserved a bowl bid. But due to the WAC’s limited number of bowl tie-ins, the Warriors were left out of postseason play. Hawaii, though, appears to be ready to make another run at postseason play in ’02. Four offensive and eight defensive starters return. There are a few big-name teams, BYU, Cincinnati, and Washington State, on the OOC schedule. I think the Warriors will have a similar record to last year’s and be a contender for the WAC title in 2002.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs snuck up on everyone and won the WAC Championship last season. The Dawgs return a total of fifteen starters (eight on offense and seven on defense) from last year’s team plus both kickers. The non-conference schedule is extremely tough; all four OOC games are against teams from major conferences, and three of the games are on the road. The non-conference games will be tough to win, but I feel LA Tech will be successful in conference play. Another WAC Championship may be in store for the Dawgs.

The Nevada Wolfpack struggled through the 2001 season, going 3-8 overall and finishing tied for seventh place in the WAC. This season, the ‘Pack has a tough OOC slate to go along with the tough in-conference schedule. They will struggle to win more than one of the non-conference games. Only five offensive starters return though eight of the defensive players will be back for 2002. There are no guarantee wins on the ‘Pack’s schedule, but I feel they can capture a few wins in conference and finish with a record very similar to the one they had in 2001.

Rice had a surprisingly successful ’01 season, winning two-thirds of their games and finishing tied for fourth in the WAC. The future doesn’t look quite as bright, however, as only six total starters return from last year’s team, three on each side of the ball. The non-conference schedule has only one tough game, a trip to Michigan State. I expect the Owls to struggle, especially at the beginning of the season, in 2002. The overall record should be just under .500, as will the conference record.

The Spartans suffered through a disappointing 3-9 season in 2001, and this season will be played mostly by newcomers. Only six starters from the 2001 team return, including five on offense and only one on defense. SJSU is looking to improve their fifth-place finish in the WAC and make a run at a .500 record. The non-conference schedule is one of the toughest in the country, all five of the games being on away from San Jose and four of those against teams from major conferences. The Spartans have only four home games this year, and I don’t expect them to exceed last year’s win total overall or in the WAC.

Although the Mustangs were only 4-7 overall, they finished the conference schedule at .500 last season, good enough for sixth place. Only 11 starters return from that team, however, for the 2002 campaign. The non-conference slate has two games against major conference teams (one at home, one on the road) and a trip to in-state rival TCU. A home game against Navy seems to be the only sure bet for a win. Matching last season’s record will be tough for the Mustangs this season.

Tulsa struggled through a tough 1-10 season in 2001 in which they did not win a conference game and finished dead last in the WAC. I like the way their non-conference schedule is shaping up though. They have one tough game, a home matchup with in-state rival Oklahoma. Then they have a trip to Arkansas State along with a trip to Baylor and a home battle with Kansas, two teams from the powerful Big XII but possibly the two weakest teams in that conference. If they can split the OOC games and play .500 in the conference, then the Hurricane can make a run at a .500 record. I don’t think it will happen this year though, as there are only six starters returning on each side of the ball.

The Miners are coming off a tough 2-9 season in 2001 after going bowling in 2000. UTEP finished ninth last year, but sixteen starters will return for the ’02 season. Six of those are on the offense while ten are from the defensive side of the ball. A road game against Oklahoma is an almost impossible OOC game, though road contests at Kentucky and New Mexico State are winnable, as is a home matchup with D-IAA Sacramento State. If the Miners can steal a road non-conference game, they can make a run at .500. I think UTEP will finish just under .500 overall and be in the middle of the pack in the WAC.