WAC notebook: Nevada opens with Fresno State

BOISE - When it comes to college football, ESPN gets what it wants.

That's why the Nevada-Fresno State game was switched to Sept. 1 because the network wanted that game on its season-opening schedule.

To hear Fresno State coach Pat Hill and Nevada's Chris Ault talk, it's no big deal.

"It's a great opportunity," Ault said Wednesday at the Western Athletic Conference Media Day event at the Red Lion Downtowner. "We ended the regular season last year with Fresno State (a Nevada win). They have a great atmosphere.

"They (Nevada players) know they have to get ready. They know they have to be fired up. The winner will be sitting pretty. It's going to be a jaw-to-jaw deal. I'm looking forward to it."

So is Pat Hill. The Pack contributed to Fresno State's season-ending four-game losing streak with a 38-35 win over the Bulldogs at Mackay Stadium back on Nov. 26 on a four-game slide to end last season.

"It doesn't make any difference," Hill said. "Reno is the perfect team to open against us. You have to play it someday."

Karl Benson, WAC commissioner, understands that it's a tough situation for both schools.

"The advantage is you have a showcase game right out of the gate," Benson said. "The disadvantage is that one of them will be a loser."

Benson pointed out that there are several conferences starting the season with conference games, including the Pac-10 which has Stanford playing Oregon.

INSTANT REPLAY

The coaches didn't have a lot to say about the use of instant replay in the WAC this season.

The WAC and Sun Belt were the only two major conferences not to experiment with it last year, and Benson promised that the conference would be ready this season.

"The institutions are wired and ready," Benson said. "An investment was made by the WAC schools to improve the quality of football. Those that experimented last year had some growing pains."

Benson also said that eight of the nine stadiums have Jumbotron boards where replays will be shown. He also said that the head video replay official would be a part of the crew that is working the game, and would not be a local official.

According to a handout given to the coaches and media on Wednesday, only certain plays may be reviewed with the use of video replays. Also there are two main principles with regard to review - indisputable video evidence and it must also have a direct, competitive effect on the game.

Benson said that every play will be reviewed by the upstairs official. If a coach loses a challenge, he loses a timeout. If he wins a challenge, he retains the timeout.

"It doesn't seem like it makes any difference," Hill said. "Against Oregon, the one I wanted to challenge I couldn't."

Hill was referring to a play where the runner was ruled down by contact, and those plays are not reviewable.

COACHES POLL

The annual coaches poll was released to the media on Wednesday, and it contained no surprises.

By a narrow margin, Boise State was picked to win the title over Fresno State. The Broncos received five first-place votes and 61 points. Fresno State garnered four first-place votes and 59 points.

Nevada was third with 48 points and Hawai'i was fourth with 43. Louisiana Tech was fifth with 39 points and San Jose State was sixth with 25 points. Idaho and Utah State tied for seventh with 18 points apiece and New Mexico State was last with 13 points.

WAC TV

Benson announced the launching of WAC.tv, an Internet-based distribution of WAC content at the Media Day event.

WAC.tv will make its debut with live football, volleyball and women's soccer events. WACtv will also be home to exclusive content, live events, video archives and WAC championships.

"We are very excited about the launch of WAC.tv," Benson said. "Not only will WAC.tv provide our fans access to hundreds of live events, but also WAC championships.

"Our membership is constantly in search of more revenue and exposure for its programs. With WAC.tv, we are able to accomplish both of those goals, while also bringing our fans better access to the events they want."

The WAC is partnering with Penn Atlantic and NaluTech to provide each school with the technology and hardware for the system.

The system also provides the WAC with automated online coaches tape exchange system, digital officiating improvement tool, instant replay hardware and software to all WAC schools in the sport of football and a CD/DVD to each participating team immediately following the event.

WAC.tv is available through the WAC's official website - www.WACSports.com - or directly at www.WAC.tv. For more information, contact assistant WAC commissioner Steve Macy at (303) 962-4213.

NO EXPANSION

Benson indicated again that the WAC is not looking to expand at the present time. He pointed out that the only two conferences not to change since 1990 are the Pac-10 and Ivy League.

"There are several non-football playing schools that have approached us interested in being a 10th member, " Benson admitted. "A nine-team league is perfect for football. It's not the best for volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball."

Denver University has been interested in membership for several years, and recently Dallas Baptist was interested in becoming an affiliate member for baseball.