A Look Ahead: Hawaii

June Jones might be gone from the program but the product remains the same. Coach Greg McMackin is 23-18 in 3 years and the warriors are still slinging the pigskin around like there's no tomorrow. They averaged just over 500 yards of offense per matchup (394 of that through the air average). Its passing game was tops in the nation last season. Yes, senior quarterback Bryant Moniz returns who threw for 39 TDs and 5040 yards. Yes, senior wideout Royce Pollard returns along with his 901 receiving yards and 7 TDs. However, the entire offensive road graters from last season are gone. Can they mesh quick enough to keep Moniz upright so he can target his wideouts? Something will have to give.

The warriors welcome back 6 starters on the defense including playmaker senior linebacker Corey Paredes who ranked second in the WAC with 151 tackles (83 solo). In 2011 the warriors led the nation is turnovers forced with 38. Gone from the mix is Mana Silver who was third in the nation with 8 INTs. Who will step up and fill those shoes? Most likely candidate is senior Richard Torres who appeared in all 14 games last season while amassing 57 tackles. Apparently last season the "special teams" weren't that special. Former Hawaii coach Dick Tomey was brought in to turn things around on special teams. With a very favorable schedule look for Hawaii to go bowling again and give the cougs some fits.

A Look Ahead: New Mexico State

Last season New Mexico State finished the season with yet another disappointing 2-10 record. In 2010 the aggies offense finished ranked 112th overall scoring only 15.7 per contest. The aggies now have the fourth offensive coordinator in the past four years in hopes of some sort of major makeover. In fact, the team hasn't even fielded a 0.500 club since 2002. Its last bowl game came was the 1960 the Sun Bowl. Could this finally be a season of optimism in the land of enchantment? It can't really get much worse. Any whiff of success for coach DeWayne Walker's squad can certainly give the aggies something to build some momentum with.

The aggie offense will rest on the development and progress of sophomore quarterback Andrew Manley. Manley will certainly have a dangerous weapon to work with in senior wideout Taveon Rogers who had more than 1400 yards in kick returns last season. Rogers often is a home run waiting to happen with a 27.1 return average. Kenny Turner returns in the backfield as the teams leading rusher with 481 yards and 2 TDs.

Senior corner Donyae Coleman led the team with 92 tackles averaging 7.7 per game which isn't a positive sign. There was only one team in the nation with fewer sacks than the aggies 9 last season. The defensive trenches certainly need to get more push and pressure on opponents and quarterbacks. In short, the front seven must play better or another long season is in store. That being the case look for the cougar backfield to get some worn out legs piling up some major rushing yards.

A Look Ahead: Idaho

Looking to bounce back from a 6-7 season the Vandals must find a way with a new QB under center for the first time in three seasons. Even worse the OL last season only helped produce 88 yards per game (third fewest in the nation, good enough for 118th ranking) which also allowed 45 sacks. Only Washington State and Rutgers gave up more. The vandals top three receivers are also gone. On the other hand the picture isn't completely bleak. Idaho will finally have the services of junior RB Ryan Bass who transferred from Arizona State and should make an immediate impact.

Question marks surround the vandals defense as well. Gone is Shiloh Keo who started since 2006 and was picked up by the Houston Texans. There is still plenty of leadership and depth available. Seniors Tre'Shawn Robinson and Homer Mauga will likely be the strength of the "D" for coordinator Mark Criner. The secondary has some experience with three corners Aaron Grymes, Kenneth Patten and Matthew Harvey who started at some point last season. The blue and white jerseys should give the Vandals all they can handle.

A Look Ahead: Idaho State

In short this one likely won't be pretty if you are a Bengal fan. On the other hand it will definately be short. Last season ISU averaged nearly 16 points a contest yet gave up 33 to finish with a record of 1-10. Its lone victory came over Montana Western. Even the bengals attendance suffered which averaged 5388 fans a contest while its opponents fans numbered 25494. Senior Tavoy Moore was the highlight of the Bengal offense in 2011 accumulating 2034 all purpose yards. Although, it definately doesn't help the offense when ISU gave up 42 sacks last season. The Bengal defense is centered around senior linebacker AJ Storms who led the nation and the Big Sky with 146 tackles. The blue and white jerseys will likely be subbing in early and often while fans check out the snackbar. On a sidenote former coug Mike Rigell is now apparently coaching the ISU RBs. Possible future Wrubell interview coming w Rigell? Time will tell.

A Look Ahead: TCU

Although, the faces and names may change the program likely remains the same. Gone is Andy Dalton. Gone is Jeremy Kerley. Among others who have moved on. However, the frogs don't often rebuild. Each year they just seem to reload.

Replacing Dalton will be sophomore former four star recruit Casey Pachall. Pachall absolutely has the skill set and some big play weapons to work with. Only Pachall question at this point might be the leadership. Returning in the backfield is Ed Wesley (who is 2010 was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker award, recognizing the nation's top running back) who ran for 1078 yards on 166 carries (6.5 avg per carry) with 11 TDs. Could the OL be a bigger concern and possible loss than Dalton? Only senior left guard Kyle Dooley and communication major returns from a line that only gave up 9 sacks all of 2010 (tied 5th nationally for fewest sacks allowed).

Once again the strength of the frogs will be the defense. TCU still has its key defensive components that only allowed 12 points a game last season and limited opponents to under 100 yards rushing per matchup which includes Tank Carder and Tanner Brock. Even the special teams is a stable commodity. One knows what they'll get in senior placekicker Ross Evans who holds the school career record for extra points made (191) and in 2010 even appeared on the watch list for the Lou Groza award honoring the nation's top placekicker. In 2011 the frogs might not end a perfect season again but they certainly won't slip far and should challenge Boise State for MWC supremacy one last time.

A Look Ahead: Oregon State

Some give and take here. In 2009 Uani Unga played in the Vegas Bowl against the cougs but now finds himself on the blue and white roster. On the other hand former coug recruit Shiloah Te'o apparently has found a home on the OSU roster. The beavers return 4 of the 5 from the offensive trenches but also have allowed 35 sacks last season. If the OL can step up to hold its own junior QB Ryan Katz could take a big step forward with such a strong arm. Last season despite an iffy line Katz still managed 18 TDs which ranks 10th all time at OSU. As a veteran Katz should help provide the stability to make the offense run smoothly. Senior back and sociology major Ryan McCants should see considerable time in the backfield. In the offseason McCants even spent time in Macedonia building a second story to a home for a needy family.

On the defensive side OSU gave up nearly an average of 27 a contest good enough for 64th in the nation. Consider though some of the high octane offenses the beavers faced last season (Boise State, Oregon, Stanford and TCU). Arguably OSU's top playmaker on defense returns with 157 career tackles and was voted co-team captain by his teammates. Senior Dominic Glover moved from end to defensive tackle. The LB crew will be converted safety Cameron Collins and Michael Doctor (OLB) while the MLB will be manned by junior Tony Wilson.

Could the heat be on Coach Mike Riley since finishing a disappointing 5-7 last season? The beavers last bowl game was the 2009 Vegas Bowl. Although likely the beavers won't threaten the Ducks off the big PAC12 pond look for the OSU to certainly put up a worthy challenge against the jerseys of the blue and white.

A Look Ahead: San Jose State

Up first is the good news. The spartans welcome back oodles of experience. Now the bad news? They only mustered a single victory on the season. Granted, SJSU had more than its fair share of obstacles including losing nine defensive starters through the first three games. In fact, eventually the spartans were only able to muster 43 healthy scholarship athletes by seasons end. On a positive note of those 13 games 6 games were decided by a touchdown or less despite the injury filled season.

This years offensive strength could very well rest on the shoulders of its wideouts. Noel Grigsby lit up defenders as a freshman with 56 receptions including a 14.7 average per catch ultimately covering 822 yards and 4 TDs. Grigsby was one of four spartans to receive all american recognition in 2010. Sophomore Chandler Jones also returns for his sophomore season with 54 catches and 474 yards.

The spartan defense was led by freshman linebacker and former shotput thrower Keith Smith who seems to have found his calling and a knack for finding the football with 116 tackles earning the 2010 WAC freshman of the year honor. Yes, the spartans return all 11 starters on this side of the ball. However, last season it averaged giving up over 34 points a game as well as allowing over 460 yards. Unfortunately, having stats like that won't win many games. And it showed. The pieces are there. Its just a matter of somehow finding a way of putting the puzzle together.