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There's plenty to talk about on this week's Boise State depth chart. Kellen Moore's knee, the Dutch, MVP awards, Kliff Kingsbury. You'll have to hit the jump to see for yourself. Feel free to share your thoughts on this week's depth chart in the comments.
Visit the BroncoSports website for the full pdf of the depth chart. You can also find a detailed roster and, if you're really wanting to kill an hour, the team's weekly notes.
Bold = Starter
Italics = Depth chart change
Wingdings = Secret Mayan decoder message
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! David Augusto could start on the O-line next week!
Geraldo Boldewijn is back, depth chart did not get the memo
Boise State wideout and Dutch prisoner-of-eligibility-concerns Geraldo Boldewijn will be available to play against Fresno State. Hooray and huzzah, because it is growing clearer and clearer that the Boise State offense needs him.
Boldewijn gives the Broncos a speedy deep threat, a la Titus Young. And so far this season, the Broncos have not had that element to their offense. Matt Miller is more like Austin Pettis and Mitch Burroughs is more like Vinny Perretta and Tyler Shoemaker is more like ... Julian Hawkins? I'm not really sure on that one. Needless to say, a healthy, fit, eligible Boldewijn would be a shot in the arm for the Bronco O.
So about that healthy and fit part. Boldewijn does not appear on this week's depth chart, which either means nothing at all (likely) or that he will need to be eased back into things. Cedric Febis did not start against Toledo in his first game back, and I don't think anyone is expecting Boldewijn to be starting on Friday. That said, I do hope he plays. Febis forced a key fumble in his limited playing time versus Toledo. Would it be too much to ask for a key TD bomb from Moore to the BFG? (Big Friendly Geraldo, read your Roald Dahl, people.)
Kellen Moore knee vigil
The knee is not a problem, says Moore and Chris Petersen and everyone else for whom it is in their best interests to say so. I opined about the reason for Moore's 14 incompletions on Saturday, and you guys helped out with some theories of your own. Turns out, it was just a timing issue according to Coach Pete. And as the Kate Beckinsale-John Cusack romcom Serendipity taught us, timing is everything.
Dutch Watch 2011
Defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, the team's No. 4 defensive tackle on a four-deep DT rotation, remains out due to eligibility concerns. No word on what those concerns are or when they will no longer be concerning, although a release is expected from Boise State any day now.
This week's completely-made-up explanation: Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe ate NCAA president Mark Emmert. An investigation is ongoing.
The offensive line merry-go-round is back in town
The Broncos have played 10+ players on the O-line this season, so O-line coach Chris Strausser must be some kind of blocking master. These guys have all been good.
The injured list
- CB Jerrell Gavins and OG Jake Broyles are out for the season. Gavins tore his ACL in practice. Broyles has a toe injury, which must be really bad to keep him out all season. Terminal turf toe? I'm not sure.
- FB Dan Paul has a groin injury and remains week-to-week. Since he played as a true freshman, Paul is a candidate for redshirting if he is not healthy soon. But seriously, get healthy soon. We need you.
- C Thomas Byrd remains old and is week-to-week. He has been AWOL for the Broncos' last two games, and judging by this week's depth chart (Cory Yriarte and Matt Paradis are the listed centers), he will not be able to go this week.
- WR Chris Potter was injured against Tulsa, but Coach Pete does not expect him to miss much time. Potter is listed on this week's depth chart.
Record watch
As is their wont, several Boise State players are on the precipice of records. Here is the latest update on their pursuit of greatness:
- Kellen Moore needs four wins to pass Colt McCoy as college football's all-time winningest quarterback. His next win gives him second place all by his lonesome.
- Moore and Case Keenum are in a two-way TD battle. At last check, Keenum led with 121 career TD passes, and Moore had 113. Houston has played one more game than the Broncos so far this season.
- With 425 more passing yards, Moore will pass Texas Tech's Kliff Kingsbury for 15th on college football's all-time passing yardage list.
- Only six Broncos have recorded 20 career sacks (since 1987 when sacks became a thing). With three more, Shea McClellin joins the club.
- Doug Martin is 500 yards away from passing Jeremy Avery for sixth on Boise State's all-time rushing list. He passed David Mikell for seventh place last week.
Boise State likes these players, so I like these players
Boise State's internal players of the week against Nevada were running back Doug Martin (offense), defensive end Shea McClellin (defense), nickel Hunter White (special teams), right guard Chuck Hayes (lineman), and linebacker Byron Hout (Hammer).
Miscellaneous
- Chuck Hayes got some well-deserved recognition for his O-line play this week (see above), and good for him. He looked solid against Nevada, and he played well against Tulsa, too. The injury to Jake Broyles is unfortunate, but offensive guard is an area that the Broncos are deep. Brenel Myers backs up Hayes, and we all remember how good Myers was a couple years ago.
- Both Mitch Burroughs and Chris Potter are in the Top 20 in the country in punt return average, averaging 15 yards and 12 yards, respectively. Combined, they would lead the country with a 27-yard average. Math!
- We are one-third of the way through the season. Here are my 1/3 MVPs: Kellen Moore (offense), Shea McClellin (defense), Trevor Harman (special teams), Coach Pete (coaching, life). I was tempted to go Jerrell Gavins on defense, and I thought for a second about Tyler Shoemaker on offense before realizing how ridiculous that would make me look. My most improved player would be Brad Elkin or Mitch Burroughs (minus last week) or Aaron Tevis.
Your turn
What are your thoughts on the Boise State offense with Geraldo Boldewijn? Who are your 1/3 MVPs? Share your thoughts in the comments.