Boise State swept both preseason polls at WAC media days, taking the top spot for both the coaches and the media. Colin Kaepernick was named WAC preseason offensive player of the year. Kyle Wilson was named WAC defensive player of the year.
Details to follow after the jump.
Coaches' Poll
Rank | Team | (1st Place Votes) | Points |
1. | Boise State | (8) | 64 |
2. | Nevada | (1) | 55 |
T-3. | Fresno State | 45 | |
T-3. | Louisiana Tech | 45 | |
5. | Hawaii | 36 | |
6. | San Jose State | 34 | |
7. | Utah State | 21 | |
8. | New Mexico State | 13 | |
9. | Idaho | 11 |
Media Poll
Rank | Team | (1st Place Votes) | Points |
1. | Boise State | (55) | 519 |
2. | Nevada | (3) | 444 |
3. | Fresno State | 365 | |
4. | Louisiana Tech | 360 | |
5. | Hawaii | 275 | |
6. | San Jose State | 263 | |
7. | Utah State | 170 | |
8. | Idaho | 110 | |
9. | New Mexico State | 104 |
- The Broncos were the overwhelming, if not unanimous choice for both the Coaches and Media polls. The only vote Boise State failed to receive from the coaches was from Bronco head coach Chris Petersen, who was not allowed to vote for his own team. The three media members who voted for Nevada have no excuse. I want names, Chadd Cripe. Names and home addresses.
(Note: Math shows me that the three who didn't vote Boise State No. 1 in the media poll each voted Boise State No. 2. This makes me feel a little better.)
- It is the first time since 2006 that the coaches have picked the Broncos to finish first in the conference. They're learning. And they have Idaho to finish last, so they're picking this poll thing up pretty fast.
- Kaepernick, as WAC commissioner Karl Benson let spill yesterday, was WAC offensive player of the year, presumably beating out Boise State's Kellen Moore. The WAC does not release player of the year voting, so we'll never know how the Broncos really were to sweeping the preseason awards.
- Kyle Wilson was deservedly named the preseason defensive player of the year. Will this guarantee him being the DPOY at season's end? It certainly worked for Hawaii LB Solomon Elimimian last year. You'd have to think that all Wilson would need to do is not be mediocre this season, and he has it sewn up.
- Here's something interesting: Robb Akey voted his team no higher than seventh in the conference. Follow along with me on this one: Every WAC coach gets a vote. Points are awarded in reverse order of standings (i.e., nine points for No. 1, eight points for No. 2, etc.). The fewest points the Vandals could have received were nine points. They received 11. That means that if every other coach voted Idaho to finish last (eight coaches = eight points), the highest Robb Akey could have voted his team was No. 7 (worth three points). Nathan Enderle is going to want some answers.
- Troy Oppie's underground movement to put Utah State at No. 2 failed miserably. But an A for effort, Oppster.