4. Louisiana Tech
Key players: RB Patrick Johnson, Sr.; S Antonio Baker, Jr.

Returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: In his first season, coach Derek Dooley took the Bulldogs from 3-10 to 5-7 and 4-4 in the WAC. ... Johnson needs 1,170 rushing yards to break the school record.

5. Hawaii
Key players: LB Solomon Elimimian, Sr.; LB Adam Leonard, Sr.; QB Inoke Funaki, Jr.

Returning starters: 4 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: New coach Greg McMackin inherits a team that averaged 43 points and 512 yards per game last season, but is missing much of the 2007 offense. Colt Brennan, who passed for 4,343 yards and 38 touchdowns, and 13 other starters are gone. ... Hawaii has a tough stretch in October with a visit to Boise State followed by a home game against Nevada.

6. New Mexico State
Key players: QB Chase Holbrook, Sr.; WR Chris Williams, Sr.

Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Holbrook passed for 3,866 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior and gets his top receiver back in Williams, who caught 11 touchdowns in eight games then missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. ... The Aggies are trying to end a 48-year postseason drought. Their last bowl appearance was the Sun Bowl in 1960.

7. San Jose State
Key players: WR Kevin Jurovich, Sr.; CB Christopher Owens, Sr.

Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: The Spartans ended a five-year run of losing seasons in 2006 by going 9-4, but slipped back to 5-7 last fall. ... San Jose committed 14 only turnovers in 2007 — including just three lost fumbles.

8. Utah State
Key players: QB Sean Setzer, Sr.; LB Jake Hutton, Sr.

Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: The Aggies were outscored 406-247 last year and are 6-29 in three seasons under coach Brent Guy. Utah State has six home games for the first time in 10 years.

9. Idaho
Key players: RB Deonte Jackson, So.; LB JoJo Dickson, So.

Returning starters: 11 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Coach Robb Akey begins his second season with the Vandals still looking for his first WAC win. Idaho was 1-11 in Akey’s debut. ... The Vandals have not had a winning season since going 7-4 in 1999.

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