CSU favored to win, UNLV tabbed for sixth in Pacific

Tim Graham

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 10:46 a.m.

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Sonny Lubick was trying to make sure he didn't hurt anyone's feelings.

The Colorado State head coach was asked if his team deserved to be ranked atop the Western Athletic Conference's Pacific Division this year. He categorically went through the eight-team division and attempted to mention each as deserving of the honor.

Except he forgot one.

"That's only seven," Lubick said, his brow wrinkled in puzzlement. "Who's left?"

"Vegas," an anonymous voice offered.

"Vegas should be picked," Lubick said, coming alive. Chuckles were audible. "We were lucky to beat them last year. They got a quarterback as good as anybody in the country. That kid is special."

Despite sophomore quarterback Jon Denton, UNLV was not picked to win the Pacific Division when the WAC football media poll was released Thursday. It was Colorado State. With 17 starters returning, the Rams earned 35 of the 39 possible first-place votes.

"We were lucky last year," said Lubick, whose Rams are ranked among the top 25 teams in the country by many publications heading into the season. "We got hot at the end. People say 'They have all these players coming back,' but I dunno.

"I feel very good about this team. On paper, it's the best football team since I've been there, but I have questions just like any other coach.

Added Lubick: "I like the recognition. But how can we handle that because we've never been in that situation? How do we handle all these expectations? We've always been in the lower third."

San Diego State received the other first-place votes in the Pacific poll and was selected second. Air Force was third, Wyoming fourth, Fresno State fifth, UNLV sixth, Hawaii seventh and San Jose State eighth.

Colorado State quarterback Moses Moreno beat out Denton as the division's preseason offensive player of the year. Air Force linebacker Chris Gizzi and Wyoming kicker Cory Wedel were named top players on defense and special teams.

"Colorado State won last year, and they continued to grow," San Diego State coach Ted Tollner said. "But the difference they have over us is they know what they have at quarterback, they know what they have at running back, they know what they have at receiver."

In the Mountain Division, Brigham Young was the easy favorite.

"You always start with BYU not only in our conference but in the country," Texas Christian coach Pat Sullivan said.

The Cougars, however, were not a unanimous choice. Utah, last year's preseason leader, and Rice each received three votes and finished second and third, respectively.

"As the season progresses, Rice is the best team we'll play," Tulsa coach Dave Rader said.

New Mexico finished fourth in the balloting, TCU fifth, Southern Methodist sixth, Tulsa seventh and Texas-El Paso last.

Utah running back and borderline Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala was chosen as the Mountain offensive player of the year. SMU linebacker Chris Bordano received the defensive nod and TCU kicker Michael Reeder, who won the 1995 Lou Groza Award as the nation's best, was elected on special teams.