SALT LAKE CITY -- Boise State and Fresno State are the preseason picks to battle for the Western Athletic Conference football championship.

Fresno State was No. 1 in the coaches' poll, getting seven of the nine first place votes and Boise State was second. In the media poll, Boise State was No. 1 with 25 first place votes. Fresno State was second, getting 20 votes for No. 1.

Nevada was No. 3 in both polls followed by defending champion Hawaii, which went unbeaten last season until losing to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Boise State running back Ian Johnson, who has rushed for 3,417 yards and 46 touchdowns in three years with the Broncos, is the preseason offensive player of the year and Hawaii linebacker Solomon Elimimian was voted as the top defensive player.