As members of the Western Athletic Conference's most successful football program, Boise State players know they are each wearing a bull's eye.

That's because they put it there.

"We actually have T-shirts with a bull's eye," fullback/tight end Richie Brockel said. "The front (of the shirt) says 'Attack.' The back says 'Finish.' It's kind of our motto: Don't be the target, go out and attack people. Everybody is looking at you, so hit them first."

The Broncos have won or shared six of the past seven WAC regular-season championships.

In the past decade, they have amassed the nation's best winning percentage overall (108-20, .843), in the WAC (70-5, .933) and at home (64-2, .970).

"You know where the bar's at," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "If you're going to win a championship, you're going through Boise."

Fresno State coach Pat Hill likened the Broncos' success to Southern California's dominance in the Pac-10.

Boise State has "been a spotlight for the league," Hill said.

But BSU cornerback Kyle Wilson said maintaining success is not easy. Once again, the Broncos have perfect attendance for unsupervised summer workouts.

"It's so much hard work and dedication that we put in," Wilson said. "We're enjoying the process. I can honestly say nothing has been given to us."

The Broncos had won five WAC titles in a row entering a 2007 showdown against Hawai'i at Aloha Stadium. Both teams were unbeaten.

The Warriors won that game for their only outright WAC football title.

"Everybody remembered when we walked off the field," Wilson said. "The confetti, and the cheering, and the way they were holding up the trophy. That picture was ingrained in everybody's head. That's why we all worked so hard. Nobody wanted to experience that feeling again. From that point, you could accept somebody taking the throne or you can come back swinging. We took the route to work harder. We fought to get back on top."

The Broncos won the 2008 WAC title.

Here's a look at the WAC teams (in order of predicted finish from the coaches' poll):

1. BOISE STATE

2008: 12-1, 8-0 WAC.

Coach: Chris Petersen.

Change: Quarterback Kellen Moore will have more input in the play-calling.

A Bronco story: Richie Brockel, who already has a bachelor's degree in accounting, is doing the math. "OK, this big," he said, holding his right index finger and thumb 2 inches apart. "That's how big our playbook is." Few of the plays are designed with Brockel in mind. He is listed as both a tight end and fullback, but his primary role — evidenced by his seven carries the past two seasons — is to block. "I enjoy being on the field," he said. "I enjoy practice, going out on the field and talking crap and hitting guys around. I like to physically play against people. If I wasn't blocking, I don't know what I'd do." The Broncos have different personnel for different sets and formations; second to quarterback Kellen Moore, Brockel plays the most snaps among the ball-handling players. That's why he memorized the entire playbook. "I like to know what the guy next to me is doing," he said. "I know what the whole line is doing across the board." The Broncos' on-field success does not translate into large NFL draft numbers. Brockel, calculating the odds, is exploring other career options. "I want to be a firefighter," he said. "I think it would be cool. You get a lot of vacation time, and you can help people, too. I can still have my tax practice on the side."

2. NEVADA

2008: 7-6, 5-3 WAC.

Coach: Chris Ault.

Change: Believing enough is enough, Ault is placing more emphasis on defense. "Instead of matching the players to the scheme, we're going to match the scheme to the players," he said.

A Wolf Pack story: Colin Kaepernick led the WAC in yards-per-carry last season (7.0). Thing is, Kaepernick is a quarterback, and the Pack believes the Pistol offense would be more effective if he improved on his 54.3-percent completion rate. This summer, Kaepernick began a two-step program to increase his weight and passing accuracy. With twice-daily workouts, he said, "I tried to eat everything to keep the weight on. He had oatmeal for breakfast, seven or eight eggs for brunch, and three hamburgers in the afternoon. Then he was ready for dinner. "I think the people at McDonald's know me pretty well," said Kaepernick, who is 6 feet 6 and 220 pounds. Kaepernick, who can throw a football 75 yards on the fly, worked on throws from all distances. Most of the time he threw to teammates. Last week, he noted, "they were driving a little tractor over the field. The guy who was driving the tractor had a trash can on the back. I asked him if we could throw it in there while he was driving across the field. The first ball I threw went in, from about 30 yards."

3. FRESNO STATE

2008: 7-6, 4-4 WAC.

Coach: Pat Hill.

Change: The Bulldogs are known for smash-mouthpiece football, relying on tight ends and fullbacks as extra blockers. But they have worked on spreading their formations, and some sets do not include a fullback or tight end.

A Bulldog story: A few years ago, the team's mantra was: "Shut up and hit somebody!" The Bulldogs practiced the way they played, and, strong safety Moses Harris said, "we play old-school, hard-nosed football." But like a boxer who doesn't taper, there was a belief the Bulldogs needed to conserve energy for games. During offseason training, Harris said, "(Hill) gave us an extra two weeks off. We took down our training program a little bit, to keep that motivation, to keep that hunger." But don't think Hill has gone soft. "It's not a kinder, gentler Pat Hill," wideout Marlon Moore said. "It's a more knowledgeable and wise coach. Coach Hill's philosophy is 'we're going to work hard, regardless — rain, sleet or snow.' At the same time, he's not going to kill us. He knows to make it through a long season, you can't beat your body up too much. You have to be able to ease into things."

3. LOUISIANA TECH

2008: 8-5, 5-3 WAC.

Coach: Derek Dooley.

Change: This is the last year that everybody's favorite guest will play "money" games. Dooley, who doubles as the school's athletic director, said it is too difficult to build a competitive program when most of the non-conference games are on the road against top-ranked teams.

A Bulldog story: In deciding to attend Tech, quarterback Ross Jenkins gave a higher priority to the history books than the recent playbook. He knew the alumni roster included Terry Bradshaw, Tim Rattay and Luke McCown. "Having those guys graduate from there — and making it to the next level — isn't a bad thing for a quarterback," Jenkins said. But times have changed, and the offense has not found a complement to running back Daniel Porter. Last year, Tech did not throw a touchdown pass to a wideout until the ninth game. "We know Porter is the man, and teams are going to scheme to him," Jenkins said. "We're going to have to throw it." Jenkins, who didn't start until the fifth game last season, has led unsupervised passing drills this summer. "It's the best of both worlds," he said. "We can work on throwing it, and the DBs can work on defending it."

5. HAWAI'I

2008: 7-7, 5-3 WAC.

Coach: Greg McMackin.

Change: There is only one full-time starter returning on defense, but the offense continues to undergo renovations. Wideout Greg Salas and running back Kealoha Pilares have moved into the slots; quarterback Inoke Funaki switched to running back, and Laupepa Letuli has moved from the left side of the line to right tackle.

A Warrior story: Signing up for a program in the desert helped three Warriors realize that O'ahu is not a dessert island. Inspired by the work of Arizona-based trainer Chad Ikei, who helped defensive tackle Josh Leonard earn an NFL free-agent contract, linebackers Brashton Satele and Mana Lolotai and defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea enlisted in the intense program. They ran, lifted, and cut out carbs and desserts. Satele lost 26 pounds and, at 238, will not have to move to defensive end. Savaiigaea, who is in the final days of Ikei's program, has shed about 30 pounds. "The first day was one of the hardest things I've done," Satele said. "You plateau, then you have to change your workout. It was worth it. I feel great."

6. SAN JOSE STATE

2008: 6-6, 4-4 WAC.

Coach: Dick Tomey.

Change: After being deducted scholarships and spring-practice days because of low academic progress rate scores, the Spartans are expected to be in good standing for the 2010 signing date.

A Spartan story: During the telecast of the 2009 NFL draft, ESPN repeatedly showed a YouTube clip of Jarron Gilbert jumping out of a swimming pool. "I shot that," said Spartan defensive end Carl Ihenacho. "I used my camera to record it. It was a regular digital camera, not even a video camera." He then uploaded the footage onto YouTube, where it has received nearly 2 million views. Ihenacho's biography also is video worthy. His parents are from Nigeria, and he did not play football until his senior year of high school. Ihenacho played the second half of last season despite a dislocated thumb. He also is scheduled to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology in December, after only 3 1/2 years. The average SJSU student earns a degree in 5.6 years.

7. UTAH STATE

2008: 3-9, 3-5 WAC.

Coach: Gary Andersen.

Change: The defense has been reshuffled, with three safeties moving to linebacker, two linebackers moving to defensive end, and 10 players moving from offense.

An Aggie story: James Brindley stayed put, remaining at strong safety, where he had three interceptions last year. OK, he made one change. "One of the players on the women's basketball team did this for me," said Brindley, running his fingers through his dreadlocks. "It's a new look." Brindley and quarterback Diondre Borel have led the offseason workouts, which have drawn 100 percent attendance. The bonding has included field trips, such as a 45-minute drive to the Oneida Narrows Reservoir in Idaho. "We like to float on the river," he said. "It's a 3- or 4-hour float. You're on a tube or a raft or a canoe. It's a blast. It's a good way to be outdoors and have a good time."

8. NEW MEXICO STATE

2008: 3-9, 1-7 WAC.

Coach: DeWayne Walker.

Change: The Aggies are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive scheme. They also have a new helmet design. "I think you have to do that," Walker said. "Some (new) coaches fire secretaries and custodians. I didn't go to that extent. I think it's very important to try and create your own brand."

An Aggie story: Linebacker Ross Conner did not have to change area codes when he went away to college. "I'm a hometown boy," he said. "I went to Aggie games with my dad when I was a kid. He told me, 'Ross, some day you're going to be out there and I'm going to be watching you, being proud of you.' " Conner said Las Cruces is a "great community. It's got everything we need. It has a Starbucks now. What more can you ask for?" While Conner's loyalty is crimson-colored, his collar is blue. He drives a refurbished Chevy Z71 truck he bought from a rancher. "We fixed up all of the scrapes," he said. "It got hit by cattle." He also is an avid hunter, taking aim at deer, elk and javelina. He avoids one opponent. "I've never shot a bear in my life," he said. "My philosophy is I'm never going to hunt anything that is going to hunt me back."

9. IDAHO

2008: 2-10, 1-7 WAC.

Coach: Robb Akey.

Change: Akey has decided to redefine the goals. "We'd have meals where sometimes we had them eating out of bowls," he has said. "We want them thinking of bowls."

A Vandal story: At 6 feet 6 and 330 pounds, offensive guard Mike Iupati makes an imposing first impression. That was not the case for Idaho's Moscow campus. "When I first got to Moscow, I was bored and I was homesick," Iupati said. "I wanted to transfer after my first year." Because he was a non-qualifier, he could not play that first year. What's more, Nick Holt resigned after that season. But he was convinced to stay by Holt's successor, Dennis Erickson. "Then (Erickson) left," Iupati said. "I wanted to leave, too." But then Iupati remembered advice from his parents, who relocated the family from American Samoa when he was 14. "They moved to give their children a better life and better opportunities. I had a scholarship. I didn't want to waste an opportunity." Now Iupati, who can bench press more than 400 pounds and squat-lift 600 pounds, is one of the WAC's top linemen. He received a second-round grade from an NFL assessment panel at the end of the 2008 season. While Iupati has the build of a tackle, he prefers to play guard, where he can portray a bulldozer on pulls. "I don't like to wait (for a defender)," he said. "I like to play guard because I can attack."