Just when Benson handles one crisis, another one pops up and he starts scrambling again.

Last week, Boise State president Robert Kustra created the latest buzz within the league when told the Idaho Statesman that the school remains interested in leaving the WAC for the Mountain West Conference.

Kustra told the newspaper the Mountain West has not shown much interest in Boise State recently but added, "Let's see how the season goes, and it might be time to raise [the issue] again."

During his weekly media conference call on Monday, Benson called the story "disappointing," especially because he felt the league had finally entered a "period of stability" following unprecedented football success in 2006-07.

"Boise State, over the last three years, has benefitted from membership in the WAC," said Benson.

According to Kustra, officials of the nine-school Mountain West have "always said they'd be willing to talk about going to 10 or 12, but I've heard nothing."

Kustra said the Mountain West's appeal to Boise is less travel, more regional rivalries and better competition within the league.

"Some of us clearly have a lot more heavy lifting to do than others," Kustra said, possibly in reference to Utah State, Idaho and New Mexico State. "But I think they can get there. The schools we're talking about certainly have made some investments, which I think will pay off."

Injury updates

Coach Brent Guy expects tailback Curtis Marsh, linebacker Jake Hutton and defensive end Darby Golden to play in the WAC opener on Saturday night against San Jose State.

"Right now," Guy said, "nobody is listed as [definitely] out."

Marsh suffered a high ankle sprain in Oklahoma's 54-3 win over Utah State, but it did not swell much and he might practice today. Hutton left the game against Oklahoma with a problem that was "heat-related," Guy said. Golden saw limited action against the Sooners because of a sore knee.

luhm@sltrib.com