Boise State favored again in WAC

Boise State is the runaway favorite to finish out its tenure in the Western Athletic Conference with another league title.

The Broncos are No. 1 in both the WAC media and coaches' polls released Monday. The defending champions received eight of the nine top votes from coaches, who aren't allowed to vote for their own teams. Boise State was also the top pick in all but one of the 43 media ballots.

Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore is also the preseason offensive player of the year, which is Boise State's last in the WAC before joining the Mountain West Conference.

This is the third straight year Boise State has been picked No. 1 by the media in the preseason and second season in a row the Broncos have led the coaches' picks.

Nevada is No. 2 in both polls, followed by Fresno State. The coaches' poll has Utah State at No. 4, which is the Aggies' highest preseason pick since they joined the league five years ago. Utah State was voted sixth by the media.

Idaho comes in at No. 4 in the media poll after last year's turnaround and sixth in the coaches. Hawaii was voted fifth by the coaches and No. 7 in the media, while Louisiana Tech is seventh in the coaches' poll and No. 5 by the media. Both polls have New Mexico State at No. 8 and San Jose State ninth.

Nevada end Dontay Moch is the preseason defensive player of the year after helping lead the Wolf Pack to a 7-1 league record last year with 20 tackles for a loss.