2009 Western Athletic Conference football season


The 2009 Western Athletic Conference football season was an NCAA football season played from September 3, 2009, to January 4, 2010. The Western Athletic Conference consists of 9 members: Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Utah State. Boise State won the 2009 WAC title going 13–0, 8–0 in conference and were invited to play in the Fiesta Bowl, in which they defeated previously unbeaten TCU. Nevada, Fresno State, and Idaho also played in bowl games, the Hawaii Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, and Humanitarian Bowl, respectively. Nevada lost to SMU and Fresno State lost to Wyoming, while Idaho beat Bowling Green.

Previous season

The Boise State Broncos went 12–0 during the regular season to win the conference championship and rise to #9 in the final BCS standings. With Utah of the Mountain West Conference being ranked ahead of them in the BCS, the Broncos missed out on the big money bowls and were selected to play #11 TCU in the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl where they would ultimately lose 17–16 to bring their undefeated season to an end.
Other bowl-eligible teams in 2008 were Louisiana Tech, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada and San Jose State. La Tech was invited to play in the Independence Bowl, where they won 17–10 over Northern Illinois. Fresno State was invited to play in the New Mexico Bowl where they lost to Colorado State 35–30. Hawaii was invited to play in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl in its home stadium, where it lost to Notre Dame 49–21. Nevada was invited to the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl where they lost to Maryland 42–35. San Jose State was not invited to a bowl game. Overall, the WAC went 1–4 in their bowl games.

Preseason

Preseason poll

The 2009 WAC Preseason Poll was announced at the league's football preview in Salt Lake City on July 29. Boise State was overwhelmingly selected as the favorite to win the conference by both the league's coaches and media that cover the WAC. Although the Broncos did not receive all first-place votes in the coaches' poll, their selection was effectively unanimous; league rules prohibit coaches from casting first-place votes for their own teams. Accordingly, Broncos head coach Chris Petersen voted for Nevada.

Coaches poll

  1. Boise State – 64
  2. Nevada – 55
  3. Fresno State – 45
  4. Louisiana Tech – 45
  5. Hawaii – 36
  6. San Jose State – 34
  7. Utah State – 21
  8. New Mexico State – 13
  9. Idaho – 11

    Media poll

  10. Boise State – 519
  11. Nevada – 444
  12. Fresno State – 365
  13. Louisiana Tech – 360
  14. Hawai'i – 275
  15. San Jose State – 263
  16. Utah State – 170
  17. Idaho – 110
  18. New Mexico State – 104
Colin Kaepernick of Nevada was voted the preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Kyle Wilson of Boise State was voted the preseason Defensive player of the year.

Award watch lists

of Idaho was one of three finalists named for the Outland Trophy, won by Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.
Kellen Moore of Boise State was named one of the ten finalists for the Manning Award, won by Colt McCoy of Texas.

Regular season

The WAC has teams in 4 different time zones. Times reflect start time in respective time zone of each team. Conference games start times are that of the home team.
Rankings reflect that of the USA Today Coaches poll for that week until week eight when the BCS poll will be used.

Week one

Players of the Week

Week two

Players of the Week

Week three

Players of the Week

Week four

Players of the Week

Week five

Players of the Week

Week six

Players of the Week

Week seven

Players of the Week

Week eight

Players of the Week

Week nine

Players of the Week

Week ten

Players of the Week

Week eleven

Players of the Week

Week twelve

Players of the Week

Week thirteen

Players of the Week

Week fourteen

Players of the Week

Records against other conferences

All-WAC Teams

First Team

Second Team

Players of the year

Coach of the year

- Boise State

Rankings

During the 2009 season the only WAC team to be ranked was Boise State, who would finish the season ranked #4.

Bowl games

Attendance

Expanded WAC standings