Boise State depth chart versus Bowling Green: Changes on the lines and at linebacker

Following a thrilling win against Fresno State that was equal parts encouraging and disappointing, Boise State's depth chart was due for a change. And so it did. From Jarrell Root's drop to Daron Mackey's rise, there is a lot to discuss on the new-look Bronco two-deep this week.

View the full depth chart after the jump. Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments.

Disclaimer: Depth charts mean as much as you want them to mean. Keep in mind that things change over the course of a game week and that game situations, injuries, and performance will render some of this depth chart moot. Still, it's fun to speculate ... with hyperbole! Is Daron Mackey the greatest Bronco LB ever?!

The Boise State linebackers are the new Boise State offensive linemen

Last year, it seemed like Boise State's offensive line had a new starting lineup every week. The Bronco linebackers must have thought that was cool or something.

In the fourth week of the season, we have seen the pendulum shift from "We're playing two and only two linebackers" to "Derrell Acrey and Aaron Tevis are the starters but everyone will play" to "J.C. Percy and Daron Mackey are the starters and everyone will play except for Tommy Smith and Hunter White unless things get out of hand." In four more weeks, will we be burning redshirts on John Michael Davis and Allen Mooney just for something new to do?

In all seriousness, Mackey deserved the honor of starting. He has played very well in the Broncos' first three games, and he plays with a real tenacity and nose for the ball. His ascension to the starting lineup ahead of Derrell Acrey speaks more for Mackey's play so far this season than anything that Acrey has done wrong. Of course, now I have to ask: Will Acrey ever be a full-time starter at linebacker during his Boise State career? He'll be competing with the same LB corps next season, so it looks unlikely.

You'll get your Jamar Taylor update when Boise State tells you you'll get your Jamar Taylor update

Taylor, the presumptive third cornerback throughout spring and fall ball, has been left off the depth chart since the Miami (OH) game with an undisclosed injury and an undisclosed prognosis. Is Coach Pete becoming the new Bill Belichick? We'll find out soon enough if Kellen Moore starts hitting the injury report week after week with "shoulder pain."

Doug Martin in all three phases of the depth chart

Congratulations are in order for Martin who scored a mention on offense, defense, and special teams for this week's depth chart. Now Kyle Brotzman has someone to empathize with.

Good bye for now, Darren Koontz

Dropping off the depth chart this week was DT Darren Koontz, a victim of balanced feng shui on the front four. Koontz had been listed as a co-backup at DT, alongside J.P. Nisby and Chuck Hayes, but for Bowling Green, Boise State looks to be going with a four-man rotation with Koontz coming off the bench.

Kirby Moore makes his first depth chart appearance

Now if only he could make his first pass reception.

Where will Michael Atkinson go next week?

Atkinson will be eligible to play next week versus UC Davis, but you have to wonder if he'll have a spot to play come next Saturday. In his absence, Chase Baker, Billy Winn, Nisby, and Hayes have been outstanding, and it seems to be a tall order to ask Atkinson to come in cold and play at the same high level that the Fearsome Foursome has had all season long.

I expect him to see plenty of time against UCD in order for him to get his legs back under him, but don't ask me whose playing time he'll be stealing. Nisby and Hayes are hot right now. I wouldn't want to mess with a good thing.

Michael Ames will continue to be a feel-good story, only now from the bench

Everyone's favorite 22-year-old walk-on Mormon missionary redshirt freshman gave up his starting spot to Garrett Pendergast last week against Fresno, and it appears that Pendergast will be keeping the spot. But doesn't Pendergast know that Ames' story is destined for a KTVB special?

What went wrong for Ames? Well, he blew a couple assignments against Oregon, and he may have been less than solid against Miami (OH). Personally, I am of the mind that you should stick with offensive linemen for as long as possible before pulling them from the lineup. Linemen are just like any other position on the field; they need confidence and security and Idaho Pizza Company buffet. I would have preferred to see the Broncos stick with Ames a little longer.

On a separate note: Was anyone surprised that Nate Potter didn't supplant Matt Slater? Potter saw lots of playing time against Fresno as Slater struggled to contain DE Chris Carter. Perhaps the change will be made at gametime on Saturday and reflected in the depth chart next week. The depth chart is always the last to know about things, it seems.

Jarrell Root cannot keep back the irresistible force that is Shea McClellin

One of the biggest changes in this week's depth chart was the rise of McClellin and the fall of Root. After missing chunks of fall camp with an injury, McClellin appears to have worked himself back into gameshape so much so that he has supplanted the surprising Root, a player who had been receiving rave reviews earlier this month at DE.

Who would have thought that we would be three games into the Boise State season and Shea McClellin was getting more run than Byron Hout?

Were Derrell Acrey and Jarrell Root the scapegoats for the Fresno game?

When you turn in a tackling performance like the Broncos did against the Bulldogs, heads typically roll. Should we assume from the updated depth chart that those heads this week were Acrey's and Root's?

What other depth chart changes caught your eye? Surprised or disappointed at any names? Feel free to discuss.