The 2011 Western Athletic Conference football season is a college football season for the Western Athletic Conference. The 2011 season consisted of eight members: Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, Nevada, New Mexico State, San Jose State, and Utah State. This season the WAC's membership changed for the first time since 2005. Boise State, who joined the conference in 2001, left to join the Mountain West Conference. This season was the last year of membership for three other schools: Fresno State, Hawaii, and Nevada. All became members of the Mountain West in 2012 (Hawaii as a football only member, other sports will join the Big West Conference). In response to their departure, the WAC added five new members in 2012. Of the new members, only Texas State and UTSA had football programs. Previous season After going 14–0 in 2009, Boise State started the season in the top 5 in both the AP and Coaches preseason polls and was picked to win the conference. Boise State spent a majority of the season ranked in the top 4, including climbing as high as #2 in the AP and Harris polls, while running their nation leading win streak to 24 games before their day after thanksgiving matchup with #19 Nevada. Nevada, whose only loss of the season was at Hawaii, defeated the #3 ranked Broncos in overtime. Boise State, Nevada, and Hawaii all finished the season 7–1 to share the WAC title. In bowl games, Boise State (12–1) defeated Utah 26–3 in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas. Hawaii (10–4) lost to Tulsa 35–62 in the Hawaii Bowl. Nevada (13–1) defeated Boston College 20–13 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Fresno State (8–5) lost to Northern Illinois 17–40 in the Humanitarian Bowl. Preseason Award watch lists The following WAC players were named to preseason award watch lists. Maxwell Award: Bryant Moniz – Hawaii Fred Biletnikoff Award: Royce Pollard – Hawaii Rishard Mathews – Nevada Noel Grigsby – San Jose State Bronko Nagurski Trophy: Logan Harrell – Fresno State James-Michael Johnson – Nevada Bobby Wagner – Utah State Outland Trophy: Logan Harrell – Fresno State Chris Barker – Nevada Jim Thorpe Award: Duke Ihenacho – San Jose State Lombardi Award: Corey Paredes – Hawaii Bobby Wagner – Utah State Rimington Trophy: Tyler Larsen – Utah State Davey O'Brien Award: Bryant Moniz – Hawaii Doak Walker Award: Lennon Creer – Louisiana Tech Robert Turbin – Utah