(Editor's Note: This is the seventh in a series previewing Western Athletic Conference football teams. Today, the Appeal takes a look at the two-time defending champion Boise State Broncos).
Until somebody knocks them off, the Boise State Broncos are the team to beat in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Broncos have been incredible the past two seasons, compiling a 25-2 record, including 18 straight conference wins. This league has belonged to them, and they have no intention of relinquishing the throne.
"We've established ourselves as a player in this conference and nationally, and that's awesome," head coach Dan Hawkins said. "It doesn't guarantee what you will do next week or next year.
"One of the things in having a little bit of confidence is knowing you have to go back and start over."
At first glance, the road to the top may be a tad tougher than it was in 2002 and 2003 because the Broncos lost seven offensive and five defensive starters to graduation.
The big loss is all-WAC quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, who set an NCAA record for passing efficiency (163.72), en route to throwing for 4,356 yards and 31 scores.
Elko's Tim Gilligan, Dinwiddie's favorite target, also graduated as did fellow receiver Jerry Smith. Gilligan caught 67 passes for 1,192 yards and six scores, and Smith hauled in 32 balls for 609 yards and five scores. David Mickell, who rushed for 1,142 yards and 13 scores, also departed.
On defense, the graduation losses included safety Wes Nurse (98 tackles, 5 sacks), cornerback Julius Brown (59 tackles), tackles Dane Oldham (39 tackles, 4.5 tackles behind the line) and Paul Allen (38 tackles, 3.5 tackles behind the line), and linebacker Travis Burgher (45 tackles, 7 tackles behind the line).
"Obviously we have to replace somebody who has been a dynamic figure, not only on our team, but in the conference and nationally in Ryan Dinwiddie," Hawkins said. "With that being said, I think we have some good guys in the wings."
That group includes returnees Mike Stanford (6-for-13 108 yards), Jared Zabransky (11-23-180) and Legedu Naanee (1-5-27). The job is still open, according to Hawkins.
"We're not a two-quarterback system," Hawkins said. "With that being said, we're going to let this thing play out a little bit. I'm not sure how it will play out. I don't want this to go into the second or third week of the season. If it does, we might have to force things."
Jeff Carpenter (160 yards) likely will replace Mikell at tailback, although he's being pushed extremely hard by junior Lee Marks (166 yards) and redshirt freshman Jon Helmandollar. Brad Lau (21 yards) starts at fullback.
Two of the team's best receivers are back - T.J. Acree (51-758-7) and Lawrence Bady (29-726-4). Acree came to BSU as a walk-on, and developed into a tremendous player. Mark Onibokun (6-55) and Drisan James are battling for the No. 3 receiver spot. Tight end Derek Schouman, who caught the game-winning pass against TCU in last year's PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl, is back. He had 17 catches for 272 yards.
The Broncos' offensive front will be relatively new. Daryn Colledge (6-5, 291) is back for his third year as a starting left tackle. Senior M.J. Ansel (6-3, 289) moves from left guard to right guard, and former walk-on Klayton Adams (5-11, 289) starts at center. Tad Miller (6-4, 296) starts at left guard and Elko's Jeff Cavender (6-3, 275) starts at right tackle. Pete Cavender, Jeff's twin brother, is No. 2 on the depth chart at center.
For once in recent memory, the defense has more marquee players returning, according to Hawkins.
"It's the age-old philosophy, offense sells tickets and defense wins games," Hawkins said. "We've had the top defense in the conference and were nationally ranked last year. They've quietly establsihed themselves as a force."
The group is led by senior linebacker Andy Avalos (5-10,220), the preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Avalos had 113 stops and 8.5 tackles for negative yardage a year ago. Joining him are sophomore Kerry Hall (6-1, 231), who had 92 tackles. Sophomore Colt Brooks (6-1, 209) and sophomored Jared Hunter (6-4, 221) are battling for the third starting spot.
The secondary is led by rover Chris Carr and cornerback Gabe Franklin, both four-year players at BSU.
Carr, a McQueen graduate, has been a three-year starter. Carr (5-10, 184) had 81 tackles and six deflections a year ago. He also averaged 26.3 on kickoff returns. Franklin had 73 tackles and three fumble recoveries last year. Junior Cam Hall (6-1, 209) is back at safety after a 35-tackle effort last season, and sophomore Gerald Alexander (6-0, 192) starts opposite of Franklin after serving as the Broncos' nickel back last year.
Senior Julius Roberts (6-5, 245) and sophomore Mike Williams (6-3, 241) start at defensive end. Williams garnered 30 stops and 3.5 sacks, and Roberts had 24 stops and 9.5 stops behind the line. They are joined up front by tackles Ben Guerrero (6-1, 286) and Andrew Browning (6-0, 272). Browning had 31 tackles last season.
Both specialist are back - kicker Tyler Jones (19 of 25 FGs) and punter Kyle Stringer (40.2).
While it may not be as dangerous as a Dinwiddie-led team, the Broncos are dangerous because they have seven home games, and they play extremely well at home. The Broncos have both Fresno State (Oct. 23) and Hawai'i (Oct. 29) at home, and that's huge, considering those are the top two contenders to unseat Boise State.
There's also the chemistry factor.
"This is the seventh year we've run the same offense and special teams, and the fourth year with the same defense," Hawkins said. "I don't think I've ever been in place where everybody is so much on the same page as our program. It's an awesome thing when everybody is on the same page philosophically.
"I'm excited to get the season going."
The Hawkins File
Age: 43
Education: UC Davis, 1984
Years at Boise State: Starting 4th season
Record at Boise State: 33-6
Overall record: 73-17-1
Notable: Hawkins played at UC Davis, and coached linebackers at his alma mater. He was hired at BSU after guiding Willamette to a 13-1 record in 1997.