Fresno State is having such a dare-to-dream season that even when it has a bye, it moves up in the national polls.

The Bulldogs (5-0) are No. 8 in the Associated Press rankings and No. 10 in the USA/Today ESPN poll.

Still, if the season were to end today, they would not automatically qualify for a berth in the Bowl Championship Series.

That's because a Western Athletic Conference team earns a berth only if it finishes in the top six in the BCS standings. (A WAC team may be considered if it finishes in the top 12.) The first BCS standings will be released OCt. 22.

	Pat Hill is sure the Bulldogs will be in a BCS bowl if they go 13-0.

The standings factor the writers and coaches polls, computer rankings, schedule strength, team record and victories over top-15 BCS teams.

The computer component takes the average of six intermediate rankings (the highest and lowest rankings are disregarded). Of the eight computer rankings, the Bulldogs are ranked between No. 5 and No. 17 (Dr. Peter Wolfe has not posted his computer rankings). Disregarding the highest, lowest and Wolfe's rankings, the Bulldogs' average place is 9.6.

The value of the Bulldogs' victories have slumped after both Wisconsin and Oregon State lost Saturday. And Saturday's game against Colorado State, once a potential boost for strength of schedule and computer rankings, has diminished in value with the Rams' erratic play. Only Colorado's win over then No.13 Kansas State salvaged any hopes of keeping its strength of schedule strong.

Also, the Bulldogs are hindered because no other WAC team has received a point in the media and coaches polls.

But WAC and Fresno State officials insist that the Bulldogs will earn a BCS berth if they finish the regular season unbeaten.

"No doubt in my mind," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said.

"I'm confident, if they go 13-0, they'll get in," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said.

Hill noted that Miami is ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll despite its opponents combining for a 4-16 record.

"We've played a good non-league schedule," Hill said. "If we keep winning, the rest will take care of itself."

The WAC has a strong interest in Fresno State qualifying for a BCS berth. The 10-team league has berths in two bowls -- the Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose, Calif., and Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

A third option vaporized when the Oahu Bowl moved to Seattle and the Aloha Bowl's plans to move to San Francisco fell apart when title sponsorship could not be secured. Hawaii had an arrangement in which it would play in one of those bowls if it won at least seven regular-season games.

Benson said the only likely way for the WAC to send three teams to bowls would be if Fresno State qualified for a BCS berth.

"There aren't any other openings," Benson said. "It would take an unusual set of circumstances to get a third (non-BCS) bowl."

Each WAC team would profit from Fresno State playing in a BCS game. A BCS appearance pays roughly $12 million to each participant.

If the Bulldogs qualified, they would use the money to pay for the expenses of playing in the game. The remainder would go into a pot, where it will be divided evenly among the 10 WAC schools. Each school's share would be about $1 millon, Benson said.

If Fresno State does not qualify, each WAC school would receive $100,000 from the BCS.

Around the WAC

Boise State
Defensive tackle Tony Altieri was hospitalized after suffering a sprained neck in a 45-14 loss to Rice. Altieri experienced numbness and tingling, but had complete feeling in his arms and legs. He spent two nights in the Texas Medical Center, and returned to Boise Monday afternoon. ... Running back David Mikell suffered a separated collarbone and will not play against Tulsa on Saturday. Starting running back Brock Forsey has a bruised quadriceps and is listed as day-to-day. Two of his fumbles led to Rice touchdowns. ... The Broncos had difficult defending Rice's run-oriented triple option. "We didn't come close to winning that football game," coach Dan Hawkins said. ... The Broncos have not defeated a team with a winning record this season. But the Broncos have won 15 of their past 16 home games.

Hawaii
Defensive end Travis Laboy, who missed spring practice because of a viral infection and did not compete in preseason training camp because of a tear in his right hamstring, amassed three sacks and forced a fumble in the Warriors' 38-31 victory over Southern Methodist, their first road victory since 1999. Laboy is one of five Warriors whose fathers played for Hawaii. ... Tafiti Uso, who relinquished a scholarship and starting job when he transferred from Stanford last year, caught the decisive scoring pass in overtime. Uso, a senior who once lived in the same dormitory as Chelsea Clinton, plans to return to Stanford in January to complete work on his bachelor's degree. ...Despite passing for 325 yards and two touchdowns, Nick Rolovich will revert to a backup role once quarterback Tim Chang is cleared to play. Chang missed the SMU game because of a sprain on his right (throwing) wrist. ... Running back Thero Mitchell, in relief of injured Mike Bass (mild sprained ankle), rushed for 116 yards. Mitchell, like Uso, is a walk-on. ... Wideout Ashley Lelie, another former walk-on, leads the nation with an average of 139.5 receiving yards per game.

Louisiana Tech
Of Luke McCown's 407-yard, five-touchdown performance, "the best thing I liked is he didn't throw an interception," coach Jack Bicknell said. This was the 11th game for McCown, a sophomore, whose two older brothers also played college football. McCown completed passes to nine different receivers. ... Last Saturday's game was the Bulldogs' first home game since Sept. 1. All four of their games at 30,000-seat Joe Aillet Stadium are conference games. "It would be nice to get more home games," Bicknell said. The Bulldogs drew more than 20,000, even though the game was on the same day as the opening of hunting season. Bicknell said he is trying to play a tough nonconference schedule, and "it's tough to get those guys to come to your place. This year's nonconference schedule includes Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Auburn. Next year, the Bulldogs play Texas A&M, Penn State, Clemson, and Oklahoma State. They play at Miami in 2003.

Nevada
Quarterback David Neill suffered a sprained knee, but is expected to play against Louisiana Tech on Saturday. ... The Wolf Pack media guide lists Damon Fine at 5 feet 9 and 150 pounds, although reporters insist he is only 5-7. Next year, Fine will be listed as the holder of the school record for longest field goal after converting from 58 yards against Nevada-Las Vegas. "We knew he had that kind of leg strength," coach Chris Tormey said, noting that Fine kicked a game-winning 56-yard field goal in Indianapolis regional championship game. "He's consistently made them from over 50 yards in practice." Fine missed a 54-yard attempt later in the game; for the season, he has made six of eight. ... Against UNLV, the Wolf Pack allowed 143 yards and no points in the first half. ... Nevada has committed 37 penalties for 298 yards in the past three games. ... Offensive tackle Matt Cannon suffered a knee injury and defensive end J.D. Morscheck sustained a slight concussion against UNLV, but both should play this week.

Rice
The Owls have committed four turnovers in five games, including none in a 45-14 victory over Boise State last Saturday. "That's all in learning to play like a champion," coach Ken Hatfield said. You do things you have control over, and that includes protecting the ball when you throw it and when you run with it. Our guys have done a good job." ... The defense also has played well. Against BSU, the Owls made a goal-line stand keyed by linebacker Rashard Pittman, who made a shoe-string tackle at the 3. Defensive tackle Larry Brown then made two tackles on inside runs. ... Quarterback Kyle Herm, who missed three days of practice last week after suffering a concussion against Hawaii on Sept. 29, rushed for 125 yards. ... Rice had a school-record 82 rushes against Boise State. ... Hatfield said the toughest game usually is the one following a game in Hawaii. He said the eight-hour flight back to Houston and the five hours lost in changing time zones caused the Owls to fall a day behind in preparing for Boise State. Hatfield said he told his players not to lift weights for three days and instead try to rest.

San Jose State
Saturday's game against Southern Methodist has been appropriately designated as the homecoming game. This will be the Spartans' first home game of the season, and only their fourth this season. The Spartans' game against Stanford was postponed from Sept. 15 because of the terrorist attacks. The WAC rescheduled the Sept. 22 game against Nevada to allow Nevada and Hawaii to play on that date. "It's a unique situation when your first home game is your homecoming game," coach Fitz Hill said. ... Hill has expressed concerned over the Spartans' turnovers. They have committed 13 in four games for a minus-9 ratio. The Spartans made three turnovers, including one inside the Louisiana Tech 20, last Saturday. ... Deonce Whitaker, who led the country in yards-per-carry last season, rushed for 112 yards Saturday, his first 100-yard game this season. Whitaker has appeared rusty after spending the summer working on completing his bachelor's degree, a requirement for him earning a fourth season of eligiblity. Jamar Julien is averaging a WAC-high 6.2 yards per carry. ... The Spartans have relinquished two sacks this year.

SMU
The turnover problems continue for the Mustangs, who officially were credited with five against Hawaii. But coach Mike Cavan said two fumbled snaps, which led to blocks (one was returned for a touchdown) should be counted as turnovers. "There were seven, in my opinion," Cavan said. ... Once again, Cavan will open up the quarterback job. Kelan Luker started the first three games, committing a turnover in each game. David Page started last week, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns. But he was intercepted once and lost two fumbles. ... Cornerback Jonas Rutledge, who was picked on as a freshman last year, has been the Mustangs' most improved defensive player. He intercepted a Hawaii pass near the end zone and also scored on a 92-yard kickoff return with 2:50 left, forcing overtime.

UTEP
After last week's game at Alabama and this week's game at Hawaii, the Miners will have traveled 9,310 miles. The Miners also traveled six hours to play at Boise State this year. ... Wide receiver Lee Mays suffered a sprained ankle against Alabama, but is expected to play this week. Mays will begin practicing Wednesday. ... Running back Chris Porter is recovering from a dislocated elbow and will not play this week. ... Running back Sherman Austin has rushed for five touchdowns in the first five games. Defensive coordinator Bob Wagner is the third winningest head coach in Hawaii history (58-49-3). ... The Miners started 12 seniors last year. This year, there are six senior starters and 12 freshmen on the two-deep roster. Three of the top four inside linebackers played offense last year.

Tulsa
The Hurricane has 62 freshmen and sophomores on its 89-player roster. True freshman Tyler Gooch started last week against New Mexico State, completing 13 of 18 passes for 86 yards before exiting in the second quarter with a high-ankle sprain. "We're back to square one with our offense," coach Keith Burns said. Burns had benched Josh Blankenship, who has passed for 4,718 yards in 26 career games. ... New Mexico State scored on two kickoff returns, tying an NCAA record. ...Unlike UTEP, which had two stopovers en route to Boise, Tulsa is flying nonstop on a charter.

Stephen Tsai covers the WAC for the Honolulu Advertiser.