Bulldogs Picked Middle of Pack by WAC Media

BOISE, Idaho - After consecutive third place finishes in 2004 and 2005, Louisiana Tech has been picked to finish fifth in the 2006 Western Athletic Conference media poll announced Tuesday at the league`s football preview being held in Boise, Idaho. After graduating nine starters on defense as well as two-year starting quarterback Matt Kubik, Bulldog head coach Jack Bicknell admitted his team is probably a mystery to most. "When you lose as many starters as we did, I`m sure that we are considered a real mystery to those who cover the league," Bicknell said. "However, I`m confident that we have talented players and it`s a matter of the next guy stepping up and making plays. "These types of preseason polls are for fans. No one really knows how teams will do. That`s one of the great things about this time of the year. Everyone has high expectations." Tech finished in a tie for third place last year with Fresno State as the Louisiana-based Bulldogs registered a 7-4 mark overall, a 6-2 record in league play. Included in those six wins was a dominating 40-28 victory over 23rd ranked Fresno State in the season finale. However, Bicknell and Co. must replace nine starters on the defensive side of the football, a unit that ranked in the top 10 in the country in turnovers gained last season - one of the main reasons for Tech`s success. Four-time defending champion Boise State was tabbed the preseason favorite by the league media with 432 points and 36 first place votes while Fresno State was picked second after receiving 380 points and nine first place votes. Nevada (349 points, 4 first place votes), Hawaii (306, 1), Louisiana Tech (256), San Jose State (153), Utah State (147), Idaho (134) and New Mexico State (93) rounded out the media poll. Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was voted the WAC Offensive Player of the Year while Boise State linebacker Korey Hall was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year. Tech opens the season Sept. 2 at Nebraska with the Bulldogs first home game set for Sept. 16 against Nicholls State. 2006 WAC Media Poll 1. Boise State (36) 432 2. Fresno State (9) 380 3. Nevada (4) 349 4. Hawaii (1) 306 5. Louisiana Tech 256 6. San Jose State 153 7. Utah State 147 8. Idaho 134 9. New Mexico State 93