The eyes of fantasy players always seem to light up a little bit more when the Western Athletic Conference is mentioned…it means “a lot of offense” in Fantasy-Speak.

And, for 2010, it could mean even more offense than in past years, as Boise State and Nevada return a good part of their offense from last season.  Also, some coaching changes around the league may upgrade some of the WAC’s weaker offenses.

You can be assured that fantasy players and leagues around the land will be jockeying to draft WAC talent like Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick (photo, thanks Scout.com) very early on…

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BOISE STATE BRONCOS

Whoever said “change is good” probably should not go near Boise this season.  Returning 20 (that is twenty) starters from a team that has not lost a regular season game in two seasons will kill that “change is good” theory…..Boise State is more like Gordon Gekko’s “Greed is Good”.  Not only the Broncos will be quite fantasy-friendly in 2010, they have a legitimate shot at playing for a National Championship.  Yes, the National Championship.

The fantasy-shopping begins with QB Kellen Moore, who threw for over 3500 yards and 39 TDs last season, and only Heisman-winner Mark Ingram returns with more 2009 Heisman votes than Moore.  Although Moore is not a running QB (1 rush TD), he is a definite first-round fantasy pick with all the talent around him returning.

RB Jeremy Avery rushed for over 1100 yards and 6 TDs in 2009, while RB Doug Martin spelled Avery with 15 TDs and 765 yards rushing.  The only reason not to draft the two so early is that D.J. Harper will return after injuring a knee early last season.   All three will make good late-round choices…and even to handcuff if you take more than one Bronco RB.  Note that Martin started out as a DB last season, and could be moved back to defense.

At WR, there are two early-draft considerations, with Austin Pettis (856 yds, 14 TD rec) and Titus Young (1041 yds, 10 TD rec).  Pettis is the steady consistent target, while Young is the home-run hitter (who also had 2 kickoff return TDs last season).   WR Tyler Shoemaker is a late-round consideration, who averaged over 16 yds per catch and scored 2 TDs on 21 grabs.  TE Kyle Efaw caught 31 passes last season, and is a consideration for leagues requiring TEs.  If there is any downer with the BSU receiving corps….it may be its depth…which could bring numbers down for individual players in some games.

PK Kyle Brotzman is a definite draft-pick for your fantasy team, as he scored 111 points last season, including 18 FGs.  Also, as good as the BSU offense is, the Boise State Defense may be even better….and it just dominates its weaker WAC members.  Although they lose CB Kyle Wilson, a first-round NFL pick….the other 10 starters are back from 2009.

FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs lose RB Ryan Matthews, who led the nation in rushing yards per game last season.  However, with the entire O-Line back for 2010, Matthews understudy, Robbie Rouse (479 yds, 4 TDs), will be a nice draft pick….who could possibly be available mid-draft.

QB Ryan Colburn, who had nearly 2500 yds and 19 TD passes, is a late consideration.  His top targets, WR Jamel Hamler (503 yds, 5 TD), and Devon Wylie (259 yds, 4 TD), will also be worthy late considerations.

HAWAI’I WARRIORS

Although not the fantasy playground as it was a few seasons ago, the Warriors will have some good considerations for 2010.  The top fantasy player will be WR Greg Salas, who had over 1500 yards receiving and 6 TDs….if he could find a way to get in the end zone more….watch out.  WR Kealoha Pilares (690 rec yds, 4 TDs) and Rodney Bradley (575 yds, 5 TDs) are other receivers to consider.

At QB, Bryant Moniz (2396 pass yds, 14 TDs) filled in well after Greg Alexander was knocked out for the season.  Although Moniz missed spring ball (Shane Austin got most of the first-team reps), he is a good fantasy consideration for 2010, with a full season of play.

RB Alex Green (453 yds, 3 total TDs) is a late-round consideration, after spending last season as the backup TB.  Green is unlike most Warrior RBs of recent years, as he is built like a FB (6-2, 220 lbs).

IDAHO VANDALS

Idaho was one of the most improved teams in 2009, but may not be as good as they lose most of the O-Line, including consensus All-American and NFL first-rounder Mike Iupati.  There will be some talent on the Vandals offense this season, but, will not have the success as in 2009

QB Nathan Enderle had almost 3000 yds passing last season (22 TDs), and is still a late-round consideration.  WR Maurice Shaw had over 20 yards per catch and 6 TD grabs on only 32 receptions, and his big-play ability makes him a late fantasy consideration.  For TE-must-play leagues, Daniel Hardy had almost 700 yards receiving, and 3 TDs last season, and is a definite fantasy consideration.

The ground game may be affected the most in 2010, even though RBs Deonte’ Jackson (387 yds, 2 TDs) and Princeton McCarty (680 yds rush, 5 total TDs) are quick and fast.  It will be best to hold off until free agent/supplemental draft time to take either Vandal back.

LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS

A team to keep your eye on this season, as Sonny Dykes takes over as head coach, and he will bring a spread offense to Ruston.

The player who could really bust out is WR Phillip Livas, whose stats (205 rec yds, 0 TDs) suffered last season due to turf toe…but still managed a kickoff and punt return TD.  In an offense more friendly with the pass, Livas could be a sleeper.  He will be paired with Tennessee transfer WR Ahmad Paige, a highly touted prep WR a couple of years ago

At QB, the job will be between Steve Ensminger and Ross Jenkins (2095 pass yds, 17 TDs)…with Ensminger in the lead.  It might be best to wait for free agent/supplemental drafts to take a chance on one of the LT QBs.

Although the LT Bulldogs will not run as much as in 2009, they do bring in another Tennessee transfer, Lennon Creer, who was a blue-chip prep RB a few seasons ago.

NEVADA WOLF PACK

The WACs top fantasy player, QB Colin Kaepernick, is back for his fourth and final season as the Pistol-whipping starting QB for the Wolf Pack.  After rushing for nearly 1200 yards and 16 TDs…while throwing for over 2000 yards and 20 TDs….Kaepernick is one of the top fantasy picks in any draft for 2010.  He will be a top pick because Nevada has 13 regular season games in 2010, returns experience on offense, and has a much easier non-conference schedule in 2010.

The nation’s top rushing attack in 2009 returns RB Vai Taua, who led Nevada in rushing with 1345 yards and 10 TDs.  Although they lose another 1000 yard rusher in Luke Lippincott, Mike Ball and Courtney Randall (5 TDs, and 3 TDs rushing, respectively, in 2009) should get enough carries spelling Taua…and are late draft considerations.

WR Brandon Wimberly, the WAC’s Freshman of the Year in 2009, is the top Wolf Pack receiver, with 733 yds and 6 TDs last season…and makes a nice pick even though Nevada passes only 20 times per game. Chris Wellington, who had a good 2008 campaign, is a late consideration as he should improve on his 2009 totals (24 catches, 1 TD).  TE leagues will want to draft Virgil Green, who caught 5 TD passes last season.

NEW MEXICO STATE AGGIES

Not much fantasy-value with any of the NMSU Aggies, as they were one of the worst offenses in the nation last season.  Head coach DeWayne Walker runs a conservative offense,  emphasizing on defense and ball-control.

The only real fantasy consideration is RB Seth Smith, as he had over 1000 yards rushing last season, but scored only 1 TD.  QB Jeff Fleming did rush for nearly 300 yards and 3 TDs, but threw for only 789 yards and 4 TDs.

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS

San Jose State has a new coach, Mike McIntyre, who has a lot of holes to fill on the SJSU roster, and there will be few fantasy-worthy players…..you may not want to Meet the Spartans this year (unless you are the opposing team).   WR Marquis Avery did score 6 TDs on his 42 catches last season, and Jordan La Secla returns at QB (1926 yds, 10 TDs).

Also, the Spartans play one of the most brutal schedules in the WAC, as they have road games at Alabama, Wisconsin, and Utah….in the first 4 weeks.  It will be a long year in San Jose.

UTAH STATE AGGIES

One of the better QBs in the WAC is Diondre Borel, who threw for nearly 2900 yds and rushed for almost 500 yds in 2009….with 17 passing TDs and 6 rushing TDs.  An experienced O-Line returns at USU for 2010, which will help Borel’s production, and he makes a nice #2 QB on your fantasy roster.

The bad news is that RB Robert Turbin (1296 yds, 13 rush TDs, 5 rec TDs) tore up his knee earlier this year, and may not play until October, at the earliest.  Michael Smith and Derrvin Speight will probably see most of the action at RB…but do not have the fantasy value of Turbin.

The top WR is Stanley Morrison, who had nearly 19 yards per catch and 3 TDs.  Morrison also plays a variation of the Wildcat (2 TD passes thrown in ’09) and is also the punt return man.  For supplemental/free agent consideration, keep an eye on WRs Matt Austin and Dontel Watkins, who bring in game-breaking speed.

Related posts:

1. MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE 2010 PREVIEW
2. 2009 WAC ALL-FANTASY TEAM
3. INDEPENDENTS 2010 PREVIEW
4. SUN BELT CONFERENCE 2010 PREVIEW
5. CONFERENCE USA 2010 PREVIEW

Tags: Boise State, Colin Kaepernick, Fresno State, Hawaii, Kellen Moore, Nevada, WAC