Hawaii
Coach: Greg McMackin
2007: 12-1 overall, 8-0 in conference (1st)
Head of the Class: On a team noted for their offense exploits, defense will be the key this year for Hawaii. Linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian (246 combined tackles, 23 for a loss last season) will lead the charge this year, while Hawaii's offensive line returns several important starters. Tyler Graunke had limited play time last year, but when he came off the bench, he proved he was capable of running Hawaii's run-and-gun offense.
Underachievers: The defensive line has three new starters, including senior David Veikune. Veikune played well coming off the bench last season, but the big question here is whether the rest of the defensive line will be up to task.
Academic Suspension: Colt Brennan is gone. So are the Warriors' top receivers and coach June Jones. Graunke is a capable QB, but with so many pieces gone and games on the road against Oregon State and Florida, Hawaii is going to be lucky to finish .500 this year.
Idaho
Coach: Robb Akey
2007: 1-11 overall, 0-8 in conference (9th)
Head of the Class: Deonte' Jackson had a phenomenal freshman season in the backfield, averaging 98 yards a game. Second-team All-WAC center Adam Korby leads an offensive line returning all five of its starters, which can only be good news for Jackson.
Underachievers: The defense has lost three starting linebackers, with no real replacements on the horizon. However, when you do as poor as Idaho did last season, there's really nowhere to go but up. Or at least I think that's the case here.
Academic Suspension: A weak defense, alongside of an offense that cannot pass effectively, seems to doom Idaho from the outset: the Vandals finished dead last in passing efficiency last season. This team did not win a single WAC conference game last year, and they may repeat that performance this year. A winless season is a real possibility if Idaho can't beat Utah State.
Louisiana Tech
Coach: Derek Dooley
2007: 5-7 overall, 4-4 in conference (T-4th)
Head of the Class: Louisiana Tech returns many of its offensive players from last season and gains a transfer from Georgia Tech in the talented quarterback Taylor Bennett. Add in the fact that one of Louisiana Tech's strengths is its secondary, and we could be a season or two away from the Bulldogs being a dominant force in WAC football.
Underachievers: At wide receiver, Phillip Livas leads a corps that could be stronger. If the wide receivers produce, though, Louisiana Tech's strong run game will be free to run over the weak defenses all across the WAC. However, for as good as the secondary is, the front seven has major holes in it that will need to be filled. Can Dooley do it?
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