Despite the kickoff of the college football season sitting just around the corner, the prevalent discussion topic at the WAC Media meetings in Las Vegas on Thursday wasn't about who might win the 2011 football title.
That's despite the polls that tabbed Louisiana Tech fourth in a finish behind Hawaii, Fresno State and Nevada.
"What the coaches here were discussing was the future of the league "» everyone wants to know what's happening," Tech coach Sonny Dykes said.
"When there's a little bit of uncertainty about something, it tends to dominate the conversation."
The coaches answered questions about their programs but restated much of the same verbiage he extolled a couple of weeks ago.
"After hearing (commissioner) Karl (Benson) talk, we got some answers that we needed to hear," Dykes said. "Things are being put in place to make the WAC more viable and more attractive to other institutions that might want to join."
Dykes wasn't surprised that the main topic was on loss of teams and expansion rather than on the strengths and weaknesses of each particular program.
"I imagine these same conversations are going on at the Big 12 meetings, the Big East, Conference USA "» who's leaving, who's coming in, do we need to add more teams "» those kinds of questions," he said.
"The Big 12 coaches, I'm sure, are discussing how the University of Texas Longhorn network jepordizes the future of their conference."
Meanwhile, Tech defensive lineman Matt Broha was just enjoying the attention of attending the festivities heading into his final season in Ruston.
He arrived with Lennon Creer on Wednesday and had little time to visit with opposing players from other schools.
He did have a quick chat with New Mexico State quarterback Matt Christian, who rooms with wide receiver Todd Lee, a former Broha teammate at Catholic High in Baton Rouge.
"We didn't get to say much because we were headed to interviews," Broha said.
The players' discussions covered very little about the WAC expansion prospects or lack thereof, according to Broha.
"People were telling me just how good we could be if our offense takes off and our defense plays to its potential," he said. "I truly believe we can be a contender for the WAC title. The discussion was about with Boise gone, which team will be the next one to step up."
Broha wasn't bothered about the Bulldogs' middle-of-the-pack prediction in the WAC.
"To me, being picked fourth is like kissing your sister. Sure, you'd like more respect, but I'm sure people looked at our record last year," Broha said. "People don't know how much talent we have added and how good we can be. Maybe they'll take us for granted."
Tech's defense is expected to improve with some new additions and Broha likes the depth he sees in the line. He said Kendrick James, Justin Ellis, Jamel White for stepping up big during the summer.
"We're definitely a lot stronger and we understand better what coach Spangler wants," he said.
