The Western Athletic Conference achieved somewhat legendary status in its 61-year football existence from 1962 to 2012 before collapsing and then (mostly) folded into the Mountain West Conference. With 48 bowl victories and 43 media poll finishes, the WAC definitely left a big stamp for a small league on the map of college football history. These seasons below represent the best of the best for one of the little guys’ best.

5. 1977

This was the last season in the WAC for Arizona and Arizona State, respectively, and the Sun Devils went out on top as co-champions of the league with BYU. The Cougars (9-2) finished No. 20 in the Associated Press poll, while ASU (9-3) ended up 18th after losing the Fiesta Bowl to No. 8 Penn State. Colorado State (9-2-1) also had a stellar season as the WAC posted a 45-45-2 record combined for its 8 member schools.

4. 1994

This was a memorable season with three conference teams achieving a final AP ranking: Utah (10), Colorado State (16), and BYU (18). The Rams won the league title, but they lost the Holiday Bowl. The Utes (Freedom over Arizona) and the Cougars (Copper over Oklahoma) finished a game behind Colorado State while winning their respective bowl matchups. Air Force (8-4) also did well as the WAC ended up 64-53-3 overall.

3. 1967

Still a fledgling league with just 6 regional schools, the WAC posted a combined 32-29-1 record. Led by the Wyoming Cowboys (10-1), who finished No. 6 in the nation after losing the Sugar Bowl to LSU by a 20-13 score, the league put itself on the map with this season’s achievement(s): the Cowboys had the top rushing defense in the country. The Sun Devils (8-2) also had a great season, despite not receiving a bowl invitation.

2. 1969

Now with 8 teams overall, the WAC cruised to a 43-37 combined mark. Arizona State (8-2) won the conference championship, although the Sun Devils did not achieve a final AP rank—nor did any team in the conference receive a bowl invitation! Utah, BYU, and Wyoming also posted winning records, and three others schools posted 4-6 records. The SOS (6th) and the SRS (6th) marks were the strengths of this season.

1. 1964

With the top winning percentage in the nation (.694), the 6 schools of the WAC dominated a lot of college football this year. Arizona (6-3-1), New Mexico (9-2), and Utah (9-2) all tied for the conference title—while Arizona State (8-2) and Wyoming (6-2-2) also did pretty well overall. Despite a No. 5 finish in the SRS, though, no WAC team earned a final ranking in the AP poll despite the Utes’ Liberty Bowl victory. Robbery!