Lookahead

Collegefootballnews.com does a "preseason lookahead" for the WAC. Hawaii is the top ranked team at 36th in the nation, with Boise just behind at 37. Here's an excerpt:

36. Hawaii 2006 Record: 11-3
Why to get excited: Colt Brennan isn't going to be playing for the Detroit Lions this year, or the Houston Texans, or the Oakland Raiders, or any other NFL team. He's going to be a Heisman front-runner and should assault the record books with his top three wide receivers returning. Davone Bess, Jason Rivers, and Ryan Grice-Mullen might be the nation's best trio and should go ballistic. Seven players are back on the defensive back eight.
Why to be grouchy: Three starters are gone off the offensive line, but the big hole is left by 254-pound RB Nate Ilaoa, who was a pounding runner and a fantastic receiver. Defensive ends Melila Purcell and Ikaika Alama-Francis will be missed, as will offensive tackles Tala Esera and Dane Uperesa.
The number one thing to work on is: Penalties. The Warriors were 112th in the nation committing 7.36 sins per game. The secondary could stand to be much tighter after giving up 242 yards per game, but that was because teams bombed away to try to keep up in shootouts. A few more third down defensive stops could mean the difference between a battle and a blowout considering the offense will put up points in bunches.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Nate Ilaoa
Biggest defensive loss: DE Melila Purcell

Sounds about right. But June has said that the offensive line will be fine, with a lot of the backups from last year as good as the starters.

And in the great marketing ideas department, via a Sportshawaii.com thread, here's your chance to get the Warriors on the cover of your copy of Athlon's 2007 College Football Preview magazine.

Haven't seen your school on an Athlon football cover lately? Or ever? Tired of sharing a cover with your hated rival? Well here's your chance to get a cover for your school with the Athlon Sports Limited Edition Covers program, just fill out the petition below. Be sure to include your name, a valid e-mail address and select the school you want to see on its own Athlon Sports cover.

You can help get students, alumni and staff to sign the petition. Keep track of the number of sign-ups by selecting your school below and viewing the thermometer graph. Once your school gets 1,000 sign-ups (deadline for sign-ups is March 15, 2007), we'll notify all your school's petitioners to purchase their magazine for $6.99 (must have a total minimum quantity of 1,000). Then get ready to enjoy your magazine! You may also download the cover to use as wallpaper, a screen saver or to add to your school memorabilia!

Clever bastards. I'm already getting ready to buy a copy of something I wouldn't normally buy. So vote today!