HONOLULU -- Football coaches and reporters have picked Hawaii to win the Western Athletic Conference title.

Five-time defending champion Boise State, which finished 13-0 last season after a 43-42 victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, was picked second in both polls.

The Warriors, led by quarterback Colt Brennan, received six of the nine first-place votes from coaches and 32 of the 58 top votes from members of the media.

The coaches picked Nevada to finish third, followed by Fresno State, San Jose State, New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech, Utah State and Idaho. The media poll had Fresno State third and Nevada fourth.

"Preseason polls are preseason polls,'' said Hawaii coach June Jones. "Hopefully we'll be there at the end. They don't really mean much.''

Jones noted that Hawaii was picked to finish last in 1999 and ended up winning a share of the conference title. Hawaii was picked to win the WAC in 2003 but ended up tied for fourth.

Hawaii, 11-3 last year, returns 15 starters, including Brennan, who was selected as the preseason WAC offensive player of the year for the second year in a row.

Brennan, who skipped the NFL draft to return for his senior season, broke numerous passing records last year, including touchdowns in a season and passing efficiency.

``We are very excited about the season and hopefully we will live up to expectations, especially our own,'' Jones said.

Boise State, which returns with running back Ian Johnson, received the remaining three first-place votes from coaches and 26 from the media.

Boise State has won or shared the conference championship each season since 2002.

Hawaii hosts Boise State on Nov. 23. The Warriors have lost all six WAC matchups with the Broncos, including last year's game in Boise, which was Hawaii's only conference loss.

San Jose defensive back Dwight Lowery was named WAC preseason defensive player of the year.