Quarterbacks

Max Hall – Brigham Young

Schedule: Woof. Oklahoma joins the Cougars in christening the Dallas Cowboy’s new stadium on September 5th.  Follow that up with a rare visit from the ACC as the Seminoles come to Provo.  Add in two conference games versus TCU (0 TDs and 2 INTs in ’08 meeting) and Utah and this may BYU’s most challenging schedule to date.

Weaponry: Austin Collie will be snagging passes from Peyton Manning this year, while Hall hopes for a new target to emerge.  The good news is that Dennis Pitta returns at tight end.  The bad news is Luke Ashworth has the most experience at WR, and he had just three receptions in ’08.

Philosophy Change: Four new starters make up the patch-work offense line, and when Hall is under duress his production suffers.  It’s likely they’ll turn to Harvey Unga a bit more often on the ground this year and cut back on Hall’s attempts as they work in some new talent at WR.


Daryll Clark – Penn State

Schedule: The first three games of the season are all lay-ups.  Akron, Syracuse, and Temple all make the trip to Happy Valley and will pose little to no threat to the ‘Nits in Beaver Stadium.  That could mean a quick hook for Clark as the staff tries to get some reps for talent freshman Kevin Newsome.

Weaponry: The big three at wideout for the Nittany Lions have moved on to bigger and better things.  While there is plenty of young talent, it will take time before players like Chaz Powell and Brett Brackett are household names, even in central PA.

Philosophy Change: JoePa loves the ground game.  If it weren’t for Michael Robinson’s tremendous athletic ability five years ago, Penn State may have remained a ball control team.  Despite Clark’s obvious talent and consistency, there is more talent in his backfield than there is split out wide.  Evan Royster and Stephfon Green are thousand yard backs given the right amount of touches, and will see lots of carries in September.  As the O-line gels and the receivers grow into their new roles Clark’s attempts could dip below 20 a game, a fantasy killer.

Running Backs

MiQuale Lewis – Ball State

Schedule: The schedule isn’t all the daunting on paper, sans the trip to Auburn.  Lewis’ main hurdle will be competing against his ’08 numbers.  1,736 yards and 22 TDs just aren’t in the cards as familiar foes of the MAC look to stack the box and get even for last years blowouts.

Weaponry: Brady Hoke skipped town and his star pupil Nate Davis followed suit.  The cupboard is not bare by MAC standards with Briggs Orsbon back at wide receiver, but four starters must be replaced on the offensive line.  This plays into the hands of attacking defenses like Temple, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan.  Lewis who was deadly on draws and delays last year will have an enormous bulls eye on him this season.

Philosophy Change: The high octane offense of a year ago will likely be running on regular unleaded this season. The days of out gunning the competition may have to go the way of the wishbone.  Replacing four players in the back seven defensively should cause new head coach Stan Parrish to try and work the clock a little more this season. That could mean more carries for Lewis at a lower YPC clip. 



Eugene Jarvis – Kent State

Schedule: In Jarvis’ case, the schedule refers to 12 games.  The pint-sized Pittsburgh product played just eight full games last season due to a variety of injuries.  Add in three BCS conference opponents (BC, Iowa State, and Baylor) and Jarvis may be in for a world of hurt once again this year.

Weaponry: Julian Edelman, Jarvis’ partner in crime last season, takes his versatility to the Patriots training camp this summer.  Without Edelman taking snaps, the offense is back to square one.  Jarvis was already a marked man last season and the spotlight will only intensify this fall.  With Jarvis’ injury history well documented, be wary of Andre Flowers swooping in and stealing valuable red zone carries.

Philosophy Change: This all hinges on the new quarterback.  Giorgio Morgan has been, well, he’s been awful thus far.  Edelman was a once-in-a-decade kind of QB for this program and Morgan isn’t anywhere close to filling his shoes.  If he can’t provide the kind of running threat the offense relied on last year, this could be a bottom 20 offense.



Vai Taua – Nevada

Schedule: Notre Dame, Missouri, and Boise State aren’t anything to sneeze at.  But truth be told, it’s the defense that will suffer from their slate not the offense.  This club should score over 28 points in just about every game they play.  If they start off hot against the Irish that could be a good omen for this BCS darkhorse.

Weaponry: Lock, stock, and two smoking ball carriers.  The two refers to Colin Kaepernick and Luke Lippincott.  They teamed up for 2,000+ on the round in ’06 when Lippincott was healthy, and according to all accounts he’s in better condition now than he was prior to the injury.  Where does that leave Taua?  Probably with about 50 fewer rushes.  The hatchet will also be taken to those 15 rushing scores from ’08.  I’d count on 10 max this time around.

Philosophy Change: The only real improvement is Kaepernick’s development as a passer.  As he matures as a passer there may be times when they pass a bit more than last year, but I’m not concerned about that.  This is a rushing team, through and through.  How they divvy up the carries will be the main strategy question. 

Wide Receivers

Dezmon Briscoe - Kansas

Schedule: His personal schedule may include zero games next fall if he gets into any more off-field shenanigans.  Now, for all his great athletic ability, the schedule had little to do with his production.  Against lowly Iowa State and Sam Houston State last season, he combined for seven catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.  Compare that to his performance against OU, 12-269-2, and it’s easy to see who they play doesn’t factor into it very much.

Weaponry: Savvy veteran quarterback, great possession receiver, and a reliable running threat make up the Jawhawk arsenal.  Even if Johnathan Wilson emerges as a star, there is no reason Briscoe’s numbers would dip below 80 receptions.  This is a “pick your poison” kind of offense, so game to game his numbers may dip or spike, but season long you can rely on him.

Philosophy Change: Will Mangino finally drop the axe on this future NFL wideout? This is an internal question, but the only one that matters in the case of Briscoe.  If he plays, he’s a top-10 prospect at WR, if he screws up again he could ruin your draft.



Naaman Roosevelt - Buffalo

Schedule: After the Bulls complete their home-and-home commitment with UTEP, they welcome Pitt to The Queen City.  The rest of the schedule is manageable, with away games in Orlando, Philly, Kalamazoo, Oxford, and Kent.  Shouldn’t pose a problem.

Weaponry: A green QB, new o-line combination, and elevated expectations will weigh on Turner Gill and his boys. This is James Starks’ team now and he will see his touches increased from last year’s 1,700 yard campaign.  If Starks remains healthy, there is no way Roosevelt gets to 85 receptions.

Philosophy Change: The former option quarterback turned miracle worker Turner Gill may return to his roots.  Run, run, play action, run, run, run.  That may be an accurate drive chart next season, which could put the kibosh on Roosevelt’s fantasy value. 

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