Notable Additions: James Taylor, QB, 6-5, 204; Zachary Caldwell, RB, 5-8, 215; Mark Porter, RB, 5-9, 202; Stephen Price, WR, 6-2, 211; Frank Walter, WR, 6-4, 209; Juan Whitfield, OL, 6-7, 336; Joseph Esparza, DL, 6-4, 315; Ruben Dillon, DB, 6-3, 246; Edward Lovell, DB, 6-1, 187; James McDowell, DB, 6-1, 206.

Notable Subtractions: QB Robert Peterson, RB Frederick Justice, WR Randall Richardson, WR Michael Brewer, OL John Hoover, DL Carlos Richardson, DB Larry Hunt

Notable Returnees: WR Francisco Ingram, TE John Wilson, OL Jack Simmons, OL Jesus Jennings, OL Thomas Wise, DL John Spaulding, DL George Grant, LB Chris Lovell, LB Fred Daniel, DB David Cunningham, DB Robert Hancock

Offensive Overview: Wide Receiver Francisco Ingram leads an offense who will be starting a new quarterback. Cal Poly returns six on offense, but there are plenty with solid experience to fill the holes. Tailbacks Harold Alexander and Sean Ivey are quality Big Sky backs.  Francisco Ingram and sophomore Paul Newsome give the Mustangs more big-play threats at wideout. The offensive line will be the key. The line will be more athletic than the last few offensive fronts, but will need time to come together. This unit has explosive capability.

Defensive Overview: The defensive front is talented, deep and experienced, and the secondary only lost one starter. Defensive Lineman John Spaulding and George Grant are the best of the linemen, although Thomas Phillips was outstanding in the spring and could be ready to blossom. The linebackers are solid with Chris Lovell and Fred Daniel rotating in the middle and Michael Kelly and Richard Williams rotating at the strongside linebacker. Corners David Cunningham and Robert Hancock both showed promise in the spring, but must continue to improve to be able to help against Big Sky competition.

Special Teams Overview: The kickers, snappers and holders all return led by punter Jerome King and kicker Phillip Johnston.

The Cal Poly Mustangs will have a winning season if… the new quarterback can develop consistence with the wide receivers and the defense performs to their potential.

Head Coach: Mraston (104-20)

Last Season’s Record: 12-3 (9-0 in Big Sky)

Last Playoff Appearance: Season 113 First Round Loss

Key Matchup(s): Sept. 6 Northern Iowa; Sept. 9 Southeast Missouri; Sept. 10 Cal Poly.

Star Power: QB Donald Robinson, returning starter, 6-4, 207, Jr., Career stats – 3,516 yards passing; RB Marvin Whitehead, rushed for 2142 yards in 113, 6-0, 218; DL Eugene Salinas, 6-5, 315, 72 career tackles; Robert Smith, LB, 6-3, 214, 215 career tackles.

Notable Additions: Steven Davis, QB, 6-6, 239; William Camacho, RB, 6-0, 203; Alan Rogers, WR, 6-4, 214; Jason Moody, OL, 6-0, 311; Stephen Morgan, DL, 6-6, 352; Edward Simon, LB, 6-2, 212; John Martin, DB, 5-11, 198; Carlos Wilson, DB, 6-3, 227.

Notable Subtractions: OL Frank Pacheco, DL Scott Molina, LB William Holcomb, DB David Robinson, DB Michael Reid.

Notable Returnees: QB Donald Robinson, RB Marvin Whitehead, WR Ronald Gray, DL Eugene Salinas, DL Jeff Barker, LB Robert Smith, LB Gary Morgan, DB John Jones.

Offensive Overview: The offense should be explosive yet again as they only lost one starter and that was on the offensive line.  Last season they passed for 2,942 yards and rushed for 3,024 yards.  Marvin Whitehead should have another great season as he averaged 6.0 yards a carry and rushed for 2,142 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Defensive Overview: There isn’t too many vacancies along the defensive line as they only lost one starter.  The development of new backups in the trenches will be important.  The linebacking corps should be solid with Robert Smith leading the way, and the linebackers is the unit’s strength.

Special Teams Overview: The kickers, snappers and holders all return led by punter Peter Carlson and kicker Barry Johnson.

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks will have a winning season if… the Lumberjacks likely will be favored in every outing the rest of year except Game 5 at Southeast Missouri.  The defense and kicking game should be sound, so the season probably hinges on the development of a capable quarterback.

Head Coach: Bama2448 (68-28)

Last Season’s Record: 11-3 (6-2 in Big Sky)

Last Playoff Appearance: Season 113 First Round Loss

Key Matchup(s): Sept. 13 Northern Arizona; Sept. 16 Texas State.

Star Power: HB Earl Day, returning starter, 6-3, 206, Jr., Career stats – 817 yards rushing; 819 yards receiving; WR Mark Stevens, 544 receiving yards in 113, 6-3, 215; DL Ernest Simpson, 6-5, 337, 113 career tackles; Brian McKinney, LB, 6-4, 220, 183 career tackles.

Notable Additions: Paul Chase, QB, 6-2, 204; Norman Owen, RB, 6-0, 228; James Williams, RB, 5-8, 194; Juan Freeman, WR, 6-2, 216; Martin Gomez, TE, 6-3, 216; Dennis Thomas, OL, 6-5, 339; Robert Bradley, DL, 6-1, 330; Eric McCoy, DL, 6-4, 312; Leo Bailey, LB, 6-0, 192; Benjamin Lucas, LB, 6-1, 196; Robert Stone, DB, 5-11, 204.

Notable Subtractions: QB George Scott, RB Daniel Cook, WR Albert Morris, DL Jeffrey Hall, LB Vincent Dillard.

Notable Returnees: HB Earl Day, WR Mark Stevens, TE John Donovan, DL Ernest Simpson, LB Brian McKinney, DB Frank Kane.

Offensive Overview: Last season Sam Houston State’s offensive coaching staff arrived in Huntsville just weeks before the start of the season.  Coupled with strong quarterback play they were able to finish 11-3.  And this year the Bearkats go into the season needing to replace that quarterback.  It is probably going to be a struggle as that quarterback will be a freshman.  The offense will probably lean on RB Earl Day to move the ball and just ask the quarterback to be a game manager.  The offensive line remains intact so they should be able to move the ball utilizing the rushing attack.
Defensive Overview: The defense only has to replace two starters on defense.  The secondary looks to be the strong point as they return all of the starters.  Timothy McCarty made the move from LB to DL and should see more playing time this year as Jeffrey Hall has graduated.

Special Teams Overview: The kickers, snappers and holders all return led by punter William Hale and kicker Timothy Latham.

The Sam Houston State Bearkats will have a winning season if… their young quarterback doesn’t turn the ball over too much and the defensive front seven plays up to their potential.

Head Coach: Spcbuzzard (60-45)

Last Season’s Record: 3-10 (2-6 in Big Sky)

Last Playoff Appearance: Season 102 First Round Loss

Key Matchup(s): Sept. 8 Howard; Sept. 11 Sam Houston State.

Star Power: HB Roy Barnett, returning starter, 6-1, 213, Sr., Career stats – 3,040 yards rushing; 945 yards receiving; WR Sam Miller, 168 receiving yards in 113, 6-4, 225; DL Paul Bryant, 6-4, 303, 72 career tackles; William Martin, LB, 6-2, 194, 204 career tackles.

Notable Additions: Ramon Haynes, QB, 6-2, 208; Eddie Moore, RB, 6-0, 186; Carlos Hicks, WR, 6-2, 218; Thomas Stone, WR, 6-1, 186; Jason Conner, TE, 6-3, 217; James Bell, OL, 6-2, 316; Walter Craft, OL, 6-2, 302; Robert Lee, OL, 6-3, 332; Gregory Taylor, OL, 6-4, 314; Robert Dixon, DL, 6-5, 328; William Rutherford, DL, 6-1, 301; John Spencer, DL, 6-2, 317; Francis Baldwin, LB,   6-0, 204; James Frye, LB, 6-2, 224; William McQueen, LB, 6-3, 218; William Chapman, DB, 6-3, 197; Raymond Hill, DB, 6-2, 203; Jay Warren, DB, 6-4, 191.

Notable Subtractions: WR Wayne Hathaway, TE David Brantley, OL Carl Mason, OL Randy Pittman, DL Jerry Biggs, LB James Rowe, DB Francisco Norris.

Notable Returnees: HB Roy Barnett, WR Sam Miller, DL Paul Bryant, DL William Tomlinson, LB William Martin, DB Allen Burgos.

Offensive Overview: The weaknesses are depth at almost all of the positions and inexperience at others.  The crucial quarterback position has a new starter in Michael Harris.  Harris will have to learn a new system while playing in games.  Tight end has some talent.  There are no sure threat threats at wide receiver, although there are two seniors.  The practices have been closed to the media so no word on what the new coach will be running offensively.
Defensive Overview: The defensive line may be the most talented and deepest positions on the football team.  With starters Paul Bryant and William Tomlinson the Spires have a couple of veterans who can lead the youngsters.  The three starting linebackers – William Martin, Jeremy Kennedy, and John Bradley – are a solid group.

Special Teams Overview: The kickers, snappers and holders all return led by punter Anthony Davis and kicker Mike Davis.

The Saint Mary’s Spires will have a winning season if… they can develop the young talent and the team can learn the play-books of their new coach.

Head Coach: Phimutau (104-42)

Last Season’s Record: 10-5 (6-2 in Big Sky)

Last Playoff Appearance: Season 113 Second Round Loss

Key Matchup(s): Sept. 7 Texas Southern; Sept. 8 Villanova; Sept. 14 Northern Arizona.

Star Power: QB Peter O’Donell, 6-2, 213, Sr., Career stats – 1,031 yards passing; WR Sean Griggs, 246 receiving yards in 113, 5-10, 205; DL James Lehman, 6-3, 314, 116 career tackles; Jack Emerson, LB, 6-2, 203, 97 career tackles.

Notable Additions: Jerome Small, QB, 6-0, 210; Steven Cervantes, WR, 6-5, 202; Matthew West, WR, 6-3, 213; Jason Blair, DL, 6-7, 322; Adam Lockett, DL, 6-2, 304; Steven Louis, DL, 6-7, 332; Joseph Warner, DL, 6-4, 330, Ernest Dennis, LB, 6-5, 220, Andrew James, LB, 6-1, 212; Craig McCullough, LB, 6-2, 197; Roy Ramsey, LB, 6-2, 202; Reginald Cleveland, DB, 6-1, 216; Randy Hunt, DB, 5-11, 204; Charles Sanford, DB, 6-2, 193; Shane Snider, DB, 5-10, 186.

Notable Subtractions: QB Steven Curtis, HB Tommy Rios, WR Paul Broussard, WR Anthony Ball, TE James Cooper, OL James Silva, DL Richard Anderson, LB Michael Serrano.

Notable Returnees: QB Peter O’Donell, RB William Porter, WR Sean Griggs, DL James Lehman, LB Jack Emerson, DB Ernest Newton, DB Mario Davis.

Offensive Overview: The Bobcats lost most key starters on offense, including QB Steven Curtis, HB Tommy Rios, and WR Paul Broussard.  One of the Bobcats keys to success will be the play of the their quarterback.  They have to break in a new starter and we will have to wait to see who starts, the senior or the freshman.  He will be protected by a veteran offensive line which will help.  The receiving corps will be breaking in three new starters but they are seniors so they know the offensive play-book.
Defensive Overview: The secondary needs to continue its ability to keep Texas State away from the “big play.”  Again, the removal of mental mistakes, and the play of Ernest Newton and Mario Davis will be important having lost starter Billy Barnett to graduation.  Overall, Texas State’s defense was improved.  More commitment to rush defense and continuing to prevent the big play are needed for success.

Special Teams Overview: The kickers, snappers and holders all return led by punter Robert Morales and kicker Peter Wilkes.

The Texas State Bobcats will have a winning season if… they can replace all of the star power that they lost on offense and the defense plays like they did last year.