Camp Opens: March 12
Spring Game: April 14
Boise State has become a regular in the Top 25 by winning 10 or more games the past six seasons. With the commitment by Chris Petersen, I won’t be shocked if the Broncos make that seven in a row despite having to replace a number of key players.
Boise should be the favorite in the Mountain West, its final year in the conference, but can the Broncos get back to a BCS Bowl this season?
Stability Factor (1 = chaos; 5 = rock solid): 4.0
Chris Petersen’s coaching track record tells you that Boise is going to win a lot of games. Boise gets a tough opener at Michigan State, but the Broncos have delivered in these games in the past.
I have to deduct at least one point from the stability factor because the most stable force in Boise history – Kellen Moore – is gone.
Under the Microscope: D.J. Harper
Harper, who was granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA, will try to replace Doug Martin at tailback. Martin is off to the NFL after a stellar career for the Broncos.
Harper needs to show he can stay healthy, but at this point Boise is planning on him being the go-to rusher. He has rushed for 1,642 yards on 319 carries, so he has shown some promise.
Locked and Loaded: Offensive Line
Boise has to fill some voids at the skill positions, but the unit that protected Moore and opened the holes for Martin is fully intact going into the spring.
Jockeying for Position: Quarterback
Kellen Moore’s back-up, Joe Southwick, has the best shot at being Boise’s starter when the season begins. But in reality, everyone on the depth chart will get a shot this spring to replace the legend.
Southwick has thrown just 54 career passes, but that’s the most on the current roster. Sophomore Grant Hedrick, redshirt freshman Jimmy Laughrea and freshman Nick Patti will each be given a fair chance to earn the job.
Name to Know: Demarcus Lawrence
This 6-foot-4, 250-pound JUCO transfer should make an immediate impact on Boise’s defense. Lawrence, from Aiken, S.C., will have three years of eligibility and should offer a viable solution for the loss of Tyrone Crawford.
He was highly recruited out of Butler Community College by Clemson, Tennessee and South Carolina. So clearly Boise got a good one in Lawrence.
Spring will be a success if…: Boise finds some answers on defense
As much love as Moore and the offense have received, a lot of Boise’s success was derived from a stout defense that could play with the big boys.
Boise’s defense line lost all four starters and the top backup, while two of three linebackers must be replaced. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski must also find two new safeties.
