WAC Preview

Stewart Mandel's Projected Standings (Projected overall record in parentheses) 1   Fresno State    7-1  (9-2) Pat Hill's best team since the 2001 David Carr squad has multiple offensive weapons and a promising pass defense. 2   Boise State    6-2  (9-2) The Broncos, winners of 25 games the past two seasons, face uncertainty at quarterback and running back. 3   Tulsa    6-2  (8-4) Steve Kragthorpe's Hurricanes return the bulk of a team that improved by seven wins, including QB James Kilian. 4   Hawaii    5-3  (8-4) QB Timmy Chang returns to put up more gaudy passing numbers, but the defense must be completely rebuilt. 5   Rice    5-3  (5-6) The Owls improved mightily over the course of last season but will fall just short of the league's upper echelon. 6   Louisiana Tech    4-4  (5-7) The Bulldogs, long known as a gunslinging spread passing team, will rely more heavily on RB Ryan Moats. 7   UTEP    3-5  (5-6) Mike Price makes his El Paso debut with the help of QB Jordan Palmer -- Carson Palmer's younger brother. 8   Nevada    2-6  (4-8) Hall of Fame Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault left his athletics director post to return to the sideline. 9   SMU    2-6  (4-9) The Mustangs, 0-12 a year ago, should be improved on defense but could continue struggling to score. 10   San Jose State    0-8  (1-11) With nearly the entire offense wiped out by graduation, this could be a long year for Fitz Hill's team.

Cream of the Crop

Myths, realities of title teams What does it really take to win a national championship? By Stewart Mandel Applying the formula Five teams that fit the mold in 2004, and three "contenders" that don't. By Stewart Mandel Profile of a Champion: A statistical breakdown of the 12 national champions from the past 10 years. • Athlon 2004 Previews: All 117 I-A teams • TV Guide: 10 games to watch in '04 • National TV schedule | '04-'05 bowl schedule  And much more ... 8/5  Return of the RBs 8/6  The true freshmen 8/10  SI's Top 25 8/11  ACC preview 8/12  Big 12 preview 8/13  Big East preview 8/16  Big Ten preview 8/17  Pac-10 preview 8/18  SEC preview 8/19  C-USA, Mt. West, MAC 8/20  Inds., WAC, Sun Belt 8/23  SI's All-Americans 8/24  SI's Heisman Preview 8/25  Bowl Projections 8/26  SI.com's Crystal Ball 8/30  Power Rankings

Timmy Chang, QB, Hawaii: The fourth-year starter enters the season with 12,814 yards, 2,218 shy of Ty Detmer's NCAA career record.

Ryan Moats, RB, Louisiana Tech: As a sophomore last season he emerged as a workhorse, gaining 199 or more yards three times.

Chance Kretschmer, RB, Nevada: The 2001 national rushing leader (1,732 yards) rebounded from an ACL injury to gain 1,162 yards as a junior.

Others: Andy Avalos, LB, Boise State; Chad Owens, WR, Hawaii; James Sanders, S, Fresno State.

Poised for a Breakout

Foy Munlin, RB, SMU: The Texas Tech transfer will be counted on to replace departed star Keylon Kincade, who ran for 1,280 yards in '03.

Others: Bryson Sumlin, RB, Fresno State; J.J. Milan, DE, Nevada; Andrew Pearman, WR, Hawaii.