Everyone knows that the starting QB will be Colt Brennan for Hawaii but who will be the starting QB at the other eight W.A.C. schools this year? Here's what it looks like to me (at least):

Boise State - Taylor Tharp - Senior - 11 of 13 last season (84.6%) for 88 yds with 1 TD and 1 INT - Career stats - 33 of 50 (66%) for 359 yds with 2 TD's and 3 INT's.

Fresno State - Tom Brandstater - Junior - 146 of 268 last season (54.7%) for 1,490 yds with 13 TD's vs. 14 INT's. Career stats - 152 of 281 (54.1%) for 1,539 yds with 14 TDs and 15 INT's.

Nevada - Nick Graziano - Sophomore - 9 of 17 last season (52.9%)for 92 yds with 1 TD and 0 INTs. Career stats - Same

San Jose State - Adam Tafralis - Senior - 181 of 276 last season (65.6%) for 2,284 yds with 21 TD's vs. 7 INT's. Career stats - 323 of 562 (57.5%) for 4,090 yds with 32 TD's vs. 17 INT's.

New Mexico State - Chase Holbrook - Junior - 397 of 567 last season (70%) for 4.619 yds with 34 TD's vs. 9 INT's. Career stats - Same

Louisiana Tech - Zac Champion - Senior - 190 of 364 last season (52.2%) for 2,466 yds with 14 TD's vs. 18 INT's. Career stats - 196 of 372 for 2,504 yds with 14 TD's vs. 18 INT's.

Utah State - Leon Jackson III - Senior - 73 of 150 last season (48.7%) for 694 yds with 3 TD's vs. 7 INT's. Career stats - 231 of 425 (54.4%) for 2,645 yds with 12 TD's vs. 14 INT's.

University of Idaho - Nathan Enderle - RS Freshman - No stats to date (He was 7 of 15 for 87 yds with 1 TD vs. 2 INT's in Idaho's spring game) OR Luke Tracy - Junior (J.C. transfer - No stats available on him) OR Brian Nooy - Senior - 12 of 24 last season (50%) for 194 yds with 0 TDs vs. 1 INT. Career stats - 36 of 73 (49.3%) for 447 yds with 1 TD vs. 4 INT's.

You can see why Chase will get some Heisman hype this year...

...and will be a full-blown Heisman Candidate in 2008 along with Ian.

It's all good. :)

Champion looked like #1 in the spring, but the preseason mags are reporting that the spot is still open. We certainly didn't hear Dooley name Champion as the starter. I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Mosley pushes him REAL hard this fall. He's incredibly athletic and Terry Bradshaw's QB coach said on our board that Mosley throws the best deep ball he's seen since TB himself.

BoiseStateRules Wrote:Utah State - Leon Jackson III - Senior - 73 of 150 last season (48.7%) for 694 yds with 3 TD's vs. 7 INT's. Career stats - 231 of 425 (54.4%) for 2,645 yds with 12 TD's vs. 14 INT's.

Scratch Leon. 3TDs to 7INTs won't cut it at any level, let alone in the WAC. Sean Setzer is more likely, IMO. If not, don't expect us to win a game and expect Utah State to be in the hunt for a new FB coach this December.

*Sean Setzer QB, 6-3, 220, Jr., JC, Portland, Ore. (Wilson HS/Garden City JC)

Signed with USU in December and is already on campus... A second-team all-Jayhawk Conference selection in 2006... Threw for 2,034 yards and 13 touchdowns, while hitting 168 of 292 pass attempts... Threw 13 touchdown passes and rushed for seven more scores... Was a first-team all-conference quarterback and defensive back in high school... Also earned co-league offensive player of the year honors... Earned second-team all-state honors... Also played baseball and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first baseman in 2004.

The Boise State job looks like a toss-up between Taylor and Bush Hamdan (1-2 for 4 yards no TDs no INTs).

My money is on Bush starting this season. I just think he brings a lot more to the table.

Grazziano appears to have the inside track for Nevada but I believe Colin Kapaernick will also see a lot of playing time.

Rules - Good job on the list. Some interesting info here.

kingpotato Wrote:The Boise State job looks like a toss-up between Taylor and Bush Hamdan (1-2 for 4 yards no TDs no INTs).

My money is on Bush starting this season. I just think he brings a lot more to the table.

I would say that is a fair quess.

Random Thoughts based on last season:

Boise State - Taylor Tharp - Senior
- I hear he didn't have a good spring game. Most of us non-Boise WACsters are hoping that this is the year that Boise finally takes a step back in QB play.

Fresno State - Tom Brandstater - Junior
- Needs to dramatically improve in order for Fresno to make a run this year. Maybe the new OC will help.

Nevada - Nick Graziano - Sophomore
- He is the one who came in during the 2nd half of the Hawaii game, right? If so, I was very impressed.

San Jose State - Adam Tafralis - Senior
- Will contend with Chase Holbrook for #2 QB in the WAC. Thought he was great and underappreciated last year.

New Mexico State - Chase Holbrook
- If he were the QB of Hawaii or a higher profile team, he'd be getting a lot more pub.

Louisiana Tech - Zac Champion
- Was inconsistent last year, but at times looked great. If he wins the starting job this year, I expect he will have a better year.


Utah State - Leon Jackson III
- This team needs QB help.

University of Idaho - Nathan Enderle - RS Freshman - No stats to date
- Starting a Freshmen? Wow...

WAC_FAN Wrote:Nevada - Nick Graziano - Sophomore
- He is the one who came in during the 2nd half of the Hawaii game, right? If so, I was very impressed.

No...that was Travis Moore (graduated).

WAC_FAN Wrote:Utah State - Leon Jackson III
- This team needs QB help.

Without which, this season will once again feel like this: .