2009 Non-BCS Insider Spring Answers, Part 1

Is Ball State going to be able to reload? What's the attitude at BYU? Can Miami bounce back? Is it BCS or bust for Boise State? With spring ball kicking in, here are some of the non-BCS team's key questions answered by the inside sources, the Scout publishers.

2009 Spring Preview

Key Non-BCS League Questions Answered Part 1

- Non-BCS League Spring Questions Answered, Part 2

Q: Now what for Ball State? After the way last season ended and with the loss of Nate Davis and Brady Hoke, is the team thinking of this as a rebuilding year? Also, what’s the key position battle to watch out for in spring ball?

A: By Andy Thorpe from BallStateInsider.com … A rebounding year is a bit strong, Ball State did lose a tremendous amount of talent, not just from Nate's departure, but from the loss of WR Louis Johnson, TE Darius Hill, 3/5ths of the OLine (including possible NFL-ers Robert Brewster and Andre Ramsey) and all three regulars corners. Despite that, look for a 7-8 win season out of the Cardinals as they continue to push for a MAC Crown.

The reason behind this is A: The return of leading rusher MiQuale Lewis as well as the addition of key RBs Jelani Alford and Eric Williams, who should bolster the ranks at RB. B: The development of some solid OLs in training in Austin Holtz, Ben Jacoby and Cameron Lowry - all of whom may start this season. C: The development on the defensive side of the ball which has steadily improved over the past 3 season - the addition of another 300+ NT (Donovan Jarrett) will get players into their correct positions and will help bolster the Cardinals who will likely switch to a 4-3 alignment.

Also, a new set of defensive coaches (including former Rutgers HC and NFL D-coordinator Doug Graber as well as Miami of Ohio DC Jay Hood) will help lead to a new attitude and probably some increase in size at key positions. Look for Brandon Crawford, the soon to be 33 year old DE to have a great Sr. Year. The LBs will be solid despite the departure of fan favorite Bryant Haines - back are Haines' backup Loren Womack, who coaches have high hopes for as well as MIKE Davyd Jones, also add was upper echelon talent in the form of Travis Freeman from Cleveland Glenville, who will likely start right away. Also back are both safeties in Sr. Alex Knipp and former Freshman All-American Sean Baker.

The only real question mark on defense will be at DB where BJ Hill, Trey Buice and Trey Lewis all graduated. Look for true freshman Jason Pinkston (also of powerhouse Cleveland Glenville) and Brandon Carnegie to start off the season in the lead at this position. We expect to continue the success, albeit at a smaller level, from last year's squad. A lot will hinge on the development of Redshirt Frosh QB Kelly Page, but expect the former Oregon commit to have a solid year bolstered by the high caliber backfield and strong receiving corps lead by So. Briggs Orsbon and key returnees Myles Trempe and Danny Ifft.

Q: Is Boise State still able to focus on winning the WAC, or, at this point, is it starting to think BCS/unbeaten season or bust? Also, what’s the key position battle to watch out for in spring ball?

A: By Kevin Hiatt from BroncoCountry.com … Winning the WAC is always goal one with Boise State, it's one of the things that's made them so successful, they're pretty good about focusing on each step as it comes.  They don't look ahead to their larger goals until the smaller more immediate one's are done.  Winning the WAC is always goal one.  However, with as young as the team was last year, and going undefeated until the Bowl Game, the reality is that the program will also be thinking about the BCS. 

Key position battles.. the entire OLine is up for grabs this year.  Last season the Broncos were in consistent along the OLine, but also they were very young.  Now they have an entire OLine that comes off redshirt, (5 players redshirted), and a very talented grayshirt that joined the team after putting on a healthy 60lbs over the past year.  I think the Bronco's will see a number of players get their shot at the OLine before all is said and done.

Also, The LB'r corps is wide open as well.  The Broncos had great success with the 4-2-5 last season because of the ability of Ellis Powers.  If they can find a replacement for Powers, then they'll probably stay in that lineup.  If not, then they'll probably be forced back into a 4-3-4.  There are a number of strong candidates for all 3 of the LB'r/Hybrid spots, including 2 JC Transfers, (one this year.. Winston Venable, and one who redshirted last year, Darron Mackey), and players who were part time starters last season, (Hunter White, Aaron Tevis, Darrel Acrey.)

Q: What’s BYU’s attitude after the problems at the end of last year? What’s the biggest position battle to watch out for?

A: By Brandon Gurney from totalbluesports.com … The team took it on the chin toward the end of the season and ended on a down note that I haven't seen since 2004.  There is a lot this team needs to work out come spring and I'm very anxious to see what that attitude is.

The key position battle this spring will be at the offensive line position.  BYU lost four of its five starters to graduation and with four of the starting positions open this will be a great focus of spring ball.  Wide receiver is another position that will have some intrigue with the team having to replace both Michael Reed and Austin Collie.  On defense the key battles will be at the safety and outside linebacker positions.

Q: What are the most immediate changes about to happen for Miami University? Do the RedHawks have any shot of replacing the production in the MU linebacking corps?

A: Alex Dombroff RedHawkInsider.com  … In terms of immediate change, the best RedHawk fans can hope for is an attitude adjustment. Last year's team played as though the result was secondary to simply getting off the field. With Coach Mike Haywood now in charge, stories are already emanating from campus about tougher workouts and stricter rules. In the past three years under Shane Montgomery, Miami fans have argued that the problem with their team was character, not talent, related. Haywood will test that theory in his first year.

As far as the linebackers, short answer: No. But there is good news, the defense was generally terrible last year. Sure the linebacking corps was talented, but overall the D gave up 32 points a game, good for second to last in the MAC. With wily veteran Carl Reese in as defensive coordinator, it's hard to imagine things could get much worse on the defensive side of the ball. Also, the well isn't completely dry for the RedHawks at LB. They return Caleb Bostic, who is one head on straight from being one of the most talented players on the team. JR Ryan Kennedy gave Miami some valuable snaps last year, and they still have JR David Davis and RS SO Alex Kaufman waiting in the wings.The most uncertainly lies at the most important position: quarterback. The top contenders: RS SR Daniel Raudabaugh, who has been the starter for the better part of the last two seasons for Miami. RS SO Clay Belton who took over for Raudabaugh the middle of last season and lead them to their only win vs. an FBS opponent before getting injured. RS FR Zac Dysert who is thought to have the most upside of anyone in the program. With Raudbaugh there is experience but inconsistency. With Belton, potential but a perceived lack of grit. Dysert, upside but youth and inexperience. Also, look out this fall when FR Austin Boucher makes it to campus. Boucher will have some work to do in learning Haywood's schemes, and is a redshirt candidate, but considering he turned down an offer from Ohio State to come to Miami, it would be unwise to think he will spend much time buried at the bottom of the depth chart.