In the WAC’s weekly air show, any wide receiver is capable of a big day. Here are five to target as you’re shopping for the best 2009 WAC fantasy football wide receivers.

Austin Pettis during the Poinsettia Bowl against TCU (thanks Icon SMI)

1. Austin Pettis, Boise State
Boise State scores a lot. Kellen Moore passes a lot. Ipso facto, Pettis is in store for some big numbers. He won’t get the yards afte the catch like teammate Titus Young, but he will get the end zone jump balls and red zone looks that he has become known for. He’s taking over the No. 1 wide receiver spot from Jeremy Childs, and while he doesn’t have Childs’ immaculate route running just yet (it’s exceptional, not immaculate), he makes up for it in size and hops. Expect 10+TDs and 1,000+ yards.

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Boise State’s strong 2008 was in large part thanks to defense – a WAC rarity. Or so it used to be. With San Jose State sending d-linemen to the pros, New Mexico State shooting up the passing defense charts, and LaTech keeping BCS offenses in check, defense is no longer a dirty word, especially for these five who make up the best fantasy WAC options for defense and special teams. 

(thanks BroncoSports.com)

1.Boise State 

The Broncos finished 15th in total defense and were particularly staunch in defending the pass last year, and 2009 bodes well for a redux. Four out of a star-studded five defensive backs return, as well as two keys to the Bronco pass rush. BSU runs deep at defensive tackle, and their soon-to-be vaunted 4-2-5 proved difficult for spread offenses to attack. Throw in the conference’s best special teams with  Kyle Brotzman (2-for-2 from 50+ yards) and CB/PR Kyle Wilson (three punt return TDs in November) and this is a unit you’ll want to keep an eye on. 

2. San Jose State. 

The Spartans seem to do defense well every year, and this is no exception. The Ihenacho brothers, Duke and Carl, were surprising stars on last year’s defense and they’ll head up the job of replacing four starters, including current pros Jarron Gilbert, Christopher Owens, and Coye Francies. Special teams is in good hands with head coach Dick Tomey who has consistently improved the SJSU kicking game since he arrived. Colorado transfer Tyler Cope takes over the field goal duties.  Read the rest of this entry →

Dennis Morris, Louisiannna Tech Bulldogs, runs in for a touchdown against Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

1. Kyle Efaw, Boise State 
The youngster received a good amount of playing time last year with the injury to starter Chris O’Neill, and he showed glimpses of big-time talent. With a year to mature, he should be in store for a big season in 2009. The tight end position has often been a key spot for the Bronco offense, and it is even more so with the way that quarterback Kellen Moore checks down and goes through his progressions. Efaw is the receiving threat out of the Bronco TE rotation, which makes him a good fantasy pick-up. 

2. Dennis Morris, Louisiana Tech 
The Bulldogs graduated two tight ends off last year’s team, which should mean increased playing time for Morris. A big body at 6’2″, 226 pounds, Morris averaged 22 yards per catch last year with a touchdown. 

3. Terrance Williams, San Jose State 
The good news is that Williams was San Jose State’s second leading receiver last year. The bad news is that being San Jose State’s second leading receiver only meant having more than 200 yards. Williams finished with 288, and with the loss of senior David Richmond, Williams will be the leading receiver who returns this fall. Chances are good that SJSU quarterbacks will look his way again; it’s just hard to tell if that means much.  Read the rest of this entry →

The stock of WAC running backs runs deep, which is good for offensive coordinators and bad for fantasy drafting. From by-committee juggernauts to unproven home-run hitters, here are the top five WAC fantasy running backs for 2009.

Porter tops our list of WAC RBs to watch in 2009 (thanks, LTSports)

1. Daniel Porter, Louisiana Tech

Fact: LaTech would have won more games last year if Porter had been the starter from game one. Instead, as Porter sat idly by, senior Patrick Jackson got most of the early carries, reducing Porter to a change-of-pace role. Not this year. Porter’s the man, and if he fulfills the glimpses of greatness he flashed last season, he’ll be a good one. As it is, Porter still got 1262 and 9 TDs and was the de facto “guy we have to stop” for opposing teams. This year, he will be LaTech’s focal point, too, as QB Ross Jenkins isn’t so much talented as satisfactory. Porter has the skills to carry the Bulldogs; finally the Bulldogs will be letting him.

2. Vai Taua, Nevada

You may be wondering why he’s not number one on this list. After all, the junior had 1567 yards and 15 TDs last year in relief of injured starter Luke Lippincott. And therein lays the rub. Lippincott is back and could steal some stats from the WAC’s reigning rushing champ. But with plenty of stats to go around for Nevada, Taua still has the potential for big 2009 numbers.

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Colin Kaepernick, University of Nevada, leading a victory over UNLV (courtesy ISM.com)

The WAC is blessed with prolific quarterbacks, mostly because it is not blessed with many prolific defenses. From a Heisman darkhorse (or two!) to a new starter with upside, here are the top five WAC fantasy quarterbacks for 2009. 
 
1. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada 
If you have not heard Kaepernick’s name, then you probably live West of the Mississippi and know him only as “that beanpole no one can tackle.” Kaepernick went for 3979 combined yards from scrimmage, 39 total TDs, and a WAC Player of the Year honor as a sophomore last season. He is the best fantasy player the WAC has to offer. He returns for his junior season with more experience, a renewed desire to shore up his only weakness (completing passes), and the near certainty of improving on last year’s numbers. With a non-conference slate that includes UNLV and Colorado State, and a conference slate featuring WAC teams, Kaepernick has the potential to go off in a big way in 2009.  Read the rest of this entry →