LIGHTLY-REGARDED WAC MAY FINALLY CRASH THE BOWL ALLIANCE.(SPORTS)

Byline: Associated Press

DALLAS -- Brigham Young without a star quarterback? Rice challenging for a division title? Colorado State the strongest team in the Western Athletic Conference?

While the WAC spent the offseason fighting to get its champion into a bowl alliance game, the league could be ready for a few surprises.

BYU is without a solid quarterback and coach LaVell Edwards might resort to the running game.

Rice, which won six of its last seven games in 1996, looks ready to challenge the Cougars in the Mountain Division. BYU beat Rice 49-0 last season, but the Owls, led by quarterback Chad Nelson, get the Cougars at home Oct. 11. …