Big West Capsules

(In predicted order of finish) Nevada Wolf Pack

1998: 3-2 Big West (tie/second); 6-5

Coach: Jeff Tisdel (4th year; 20-14)

Strengths: Sophomore David Neill is one of the nation’s best young quarterbacks. He’s bigger (15 pounds) and stronger than last year. He has nine other returning starters on offense to work with, including receiver Trevor Insley, who had 69 catches last season, and running back Chris Lemon, who has surpassed 1,000 yards the last two years. Nevada will make defensive coordinators restless.

Weaknesses: Nevada can score, but the Pack haven’t been able to stop the enemy. Defense, or lack thereof, will again tell story of Nevada’s season. The front is suspect and linebacker Arona Taele was lost to academic deficiencies. Another sore spot last year was special teams, where Norm Brady averaged just 39 yard per punt and Mike Phillips was only 4 of 10 on field goals.

Summary: Nevada has a load of talent, but what’s new? The Wolf Pack routinely trot out the best athletes in the conference, but they haven’t won the Big West in two seasons. With Neill and potent offense, though, Nevada probably can outscore enemies to reclaim top spot in the standings before bolting to the WAC.

Idaho Vandals 1998: 4-1 Big West (first); 9-3

Coach: Chris Tormey (5th year, 26-19)

Strengths: The Vandals, like Nevada, have 10 returning starters on offense, including icy cool quarterback John Welsh. The offensive front is a year older, bigger and wiser - and it’s not as if they struggled last season when Idaho racked up 444 yards and 31.8 points per game. Defensive front, when healthy, has four possible first-team All-Big West selections in ends James Durrough and Ryan Knowles and tackles Mao Tosi and Wil Beck.

Weaknesses: UI can’t afford injuries in certain positions (secondary, defensive front, offensive front) because the drop-off would be considerable. Placekicker Ben Davis has one of the most powerful legs of any Vandal in recent memory, but he needs to improve on last season’s 12-of-25 effort on field goals. Secondary was roasted in losses to Washington State and Nevada last fall, though entire defense was a no-show against the Wolf Pack.

Summary: Idaho has all the tools to repeat with one enormous obstacle in its way - a November road date against Nevada. The Wolf Pack have worked over the Vandals the last two years. UI shows no signs of complacency after winning conference last season. They go from the hunter to hunted this season.

Boise State Broncos

1998: 2-3 Big West (tie/fourth); 6-5

Coach: Dirk Koetter (2nd year, 6-5)

Strengths: Broncos could field a powerful offense if some receiving targets can be found. Veteran offensive line is strong and quarterback Bart Hendricks is capable. Defense has nine returning starters, including standouts on each level - tackle Jon Rydman, linebacker Bryan Johnson and cornerback Dempsey Dees.

Weaknesses: Special teams were weak last season, so that’s been an emphasis of coaching staff in spring and fall workouts. Hendricks has periods of inconsistency. Despite loads of defensive talent, Broncos ended the year by yielding 52 points to Nevada, 51 to New Mexico State and 36 to Idaho.

Summary: Broncos figure to take top spot if Nevada and Idaho stumble. Coach Dirk Koetter is back for second season, giving program some stability. This will be first time BSU since 1996 that coaching staff returns intact. BSU has seven home games, including Nevada and New Mexico State, and an outside shot at playing in bowl game in its own stadium.

New Mexico State Aggies

1998: 1-4 Big West (sixth); 3-8

Coach: Tony Samuel (3rd year, 5-17)

Strengths: Aggies have stockpiled more speed and strength than previous teams and appear on par with Big West brethren. The good news is nine defensive starters return. Or is that the bad news, since that unit gave up a league-high 424 points in 1998. Offense diversified last season, adding quality air attack to proven running game. That should continue this season. Return of placekicker Nick Cecava (13 of 14 field goals) and punter Andy Kohl (42.9 yards per kick) give NMSU strong special teams.

Weaknesses: Quarterback Ty Houghtaling has been sidelined by a back/hip injury. Nobody seems to know how long he’ll be out. His replacement, K.C. Enzminger, is a double threat as a thrower and runner. Loss of Denvis Manns - the Big West’s all-time ground gainer - leaves running back duties to talented, but unproven Kenton Keith. Defensive secondary allowed 27 TD passes and 3,204 yards a year ago.

Summary: Aggies have question marks (QB, running back, defense), but they also have shown ability to compete with best teams in the conference, knocking off Nevada and losing 36-32 to Idaho last season. If defense improves, New Mexico State could threaten top three in conference. Working against the Aggies - a .189 winning percentage in 15 years as Big West member.

Utah State Aggies

1998: 2-3 Big West (tie/fourth); 3-8

Coach: Dave Arslanian (2nd year, 3-8)

Strengths: Even with the loss of Big West defensive player of the year Tony D’Amato, Utah State has two fine linebackers in Brent Passey and Blake Eagal. Oft-injured running back Demario Brown is talented but hasn’t cracked 1,000 yards in pain-shortened seasons. Free safety Donald Dicko and cornerback Vashon Garmon give Aggies one of league’s better secondaries. Brad Bohn equaled a conference record with 24 field goals last year.

Weaknesses: Aggies might be suspect on both lines. There are standouts - guard Mike Lindsay and tackle Ben Holbrook on the offense; end Caleb Smith on defense - but other starters must prove themselves. Quarterback Jeff Crosbie, who split time last year, must improve on sub-50 percent completion rate and he’ll have to do so with inexperienced receivers.

Summary: Aggies scored a league-worst 108 points in five conference games last year and offense again has limited big-play potential. Opponents will try to crowd line of scrimmage to take away Brown and make Crosbie put the ball in the air. Defense will keep Aggies in games, but offense might keep Aggies on losing end.

North Texas Eagles

1998: 3-2 Big West (tie/second), 3-8

Coach: Darrell Dickey (2nd year, 3-8)

Strengths: Offensive line should be solid, which paves the way for running back Ja’Quay Wilburn, who gained 501 yards in last three games of ‘98. Broderick McGrew is a threat at receiver (26 catches, 393 yards) and kick returns (32.6 per return, 1 TD). Punter John Baker is probably best in the Big West. Recruiting class was rated highly, but the youngsters probably won’t make much of an impact this season.

Weaknesses: Offense is too reliant on the ground game. Quarterback Jason Attaway, who was knocked out with a knee injury in the Idaho game last year, returns as the starter, but he completed only 51 of 109 passes. Defensive front was trampled, giving up conference-worst 215 rushing yards per game. That’s enough to make alum Mean Joe Greene, the former Steelers star, cringe.

Summary: Mean Green can’t make run at league title without a passing game. North Texas has its typically brutal schedule - road games with LSU, Texas Tech, Baylor and TCU - and plays seven of 11 away from Fouts Field, so it will be fortunate to avoid cellar.

Arkansas State Indians

1998: 4-8 (I-A independent)

Coach: Joe Hollis: (3rd year, 6-17)

Strengths: Cleo Lemon is a strong-armed quarterback who trimmed down to 215 pounds. Three of ASU’s top four receivers from last year return, including Robert Kilow (29 catches, 661 yards, 22.8 yards per reception). Offensive line, undersized a year ago, has added beef and experience. Safety Sean Mitchell led the team with 126 tackles last season - an impressive total, just not desirable if your leading tackler is in the secondary.

Weaknesses: Defense was pickled last season, giving up 52 points to Idaho, 69 to Louisiana Tech and 51 to Cincinnati (2-9). Every starter in the defensive line graduated. Running game has averaged under 100 yards per game for two years - both record lows for the program.

Summary: Indians appear improved, but not enough to make a dent in the Big West standings. The school is in its first year back as a football-only member in the Big West after playing in that capacity from 1993-95. Eighteen starters fuel optimism, but Arkansas State doesn’t have the overall talent to be in the upper echelon.