Boise State depth chart versus Toledo: Dutch replacements, Stanaway's time to shine, and more

After the latest Best Win In Program History, the Broncos regroup for a Friday night showdown at Toledo (6:00 p.m. MT, ESPN) with a new-look depth chart. Gone are the three eligibility-challenged Dutch players, in is Travis Stanaway and a cast of a few. Join me after the jump for a look at the changes and a look ahead at what it might mean. As always, share your thoughts 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

OFFENSE
Kellen Moore	Doug Martin	Dan Paul
Joe Southwick OR	D.J. Harper	Chandler Koch
Grant Hedrick
Mitch Burroughs	Matt Miller	Tyler Shoemaker	Kyle Efaw OR
Aaron Burks	Kirby Moore	Chris Potter	Gabe Linehan
	Dallas Burroughs		Kyle Sosnowski
Nate Potter	Spencer Gerke	Thomas Byrd	Jake Broyles	Charles Leno
Faraji Wright	Brenel Myers	Matt Paradis	Chuck Hayes	Michael Ames
***
DEFENSE
Tyrone Crawford	Billy Winn	Chase Baker	Shea McClellin OR
Tyler Horn	Darren Koontz	Mike Atkinson	Jarrell Root
Byron Hout OR	Aaron Tevis OR
Tommy Smith	J.C. Percy
Jamar Taylor	Hunter White OR	Travis Stanaway	George Iloka	Jerrell Gavins
Ebo Makinde	Jonathan Brown	Jeremy Ioane	Quaylon Ewing-Burton	Bryan Douglas OR
	Dextrell Simmons			Josh Borgman
***
SPECIAL TEAMS
Dan Goodale OR	Trevor Harman	Joe Southwick	Brad Elkin	Chris Roberson
Michael Frisina	Dan Goodale		Trevor Harman
Mitch Burroughs OR	Chris Potter
Chris Potter	Mitch Burroughs
Doug Martin OR
D.J. Harper

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! The NCAA hates foreigners!

Free the Dutch!

The most notable changes on this week's version of the depth chart are the exclusions of Boise State's three Dutch players who are currently on the shelf due to eligibility concerns. With the Dutch in limbo, Matt Miller takes the starting job at wideout, Travis Stanaway the starting job at safety, and Darren Koontz the backup job at defensive tackle.

Now, about this whole Dutch imbroglio, I think I speak for everyone when I ask, "What is going on here?!"

Follow-up questions: Why now? What did they do wrong? Will wins be vacated? Will the players play again this season? Are we just jealous that Amsterdam gets three months of paid holiday every year? Of course, there have been no answers to any of these questions, which is one of the most frustrating parts of all. As Boise State has blossomed into a Top 25 program, there have been growing pains, not the least of which has been communication with fans and media. This is a perfect example. Something huge went down. Nothing is being shared about it. If I may put on my peer counseling hat for a moment, "So what I hear you saying, Boise State, is that you do not value my devotion as a fan." We need couples therapy.

And now a message from the NCAA:

 

An open letter to the Mitch Burroughs Experience

Dear Mitch Burroughs,

I have poked fun at your expense over the past few seasons, but I would like you to know that there will be no more poking fun. You proved yourself in the Georgia game to be a receiving threat, Perretta-esque even. From here on out, you will be one of my 83 favorite Bronco players and all teasing will be passed on to punter Brad Elkin.

Sincerely,

OBNUG

An open letter to Brad Elkin

Dear Brad Elkin

It was brought to my attention that you had a really good game against Georgia. My apologies for any ribbing that may have occurred over the past several seasons, up to and including the paragraph above.

Sincerely,

OBNUG

Travis Stanaway > Jeremy Ioane, for this week at least

Stanaway will get his first career start on Friday against Toledo, usurping redshirt freshman Ioane at the position. Ioane started against Georgia then sat most of the second half against Georgia as the more experienced Stanaway took over. Ioane will play some against Toledo.

It should be noted that neither of Georgia's long touchdown passes were the fault of the Febis-less safety position. Bronco coaches maintained after the game that the TDs were all on the Boise State corners (presumably, Jamar Taylor).

Jeremy (Ioane) and Travis (Stanaway) were not the issue. Our corner was the issue. Had some communication issues. We've got to get that corrected.

Last Dutch thing, I swear ...

 

Bourne Dutch?

Jarrell Root no longer listed as co-starter at both DE positions. Speculate.

Tyler Horn shows up as a backup at defensive end this week, which is an ever-so-slight departure to the way the depth chart unfolded for the Georgia game. Is this a sign that the Heavy 3-4 (outlined here) was a one-off? Probably not, but I can imagine Boise State going with a different look to face Toledo's much different personnel. The Rockets are not the Bulldogs, so it makes sense not to defend both teams the same way.

And your fourth defensive tackle is ... Darren Koontz

I was anxious to see who Boise State would choose to replace Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, more anxious than I probably needed to be considering the Broncos only rotated three defensive tackles all game against Georgia. Koontz beat out Greg Grimes for the backup role.

And now a word about Charles Leno, Jake Broyles, and Spencer Gerke

That word: Superberful.

Frisina-Goodale II

It's not quite Holyfield-Tyson unless things start getting weird, but the Michael Frisina - Dan Goodale kicking battle continues to be quite the story as the season progresses. Boise State still hasn't decided on an official kicker. Goodale handled the extra points against Georgia and was warming up on the sidelines for potential field goals that (thankfully) never came. I would give Goodale the edge with the obvious caveat that I know nothing.

True freshman watch

Redshirts for linebacker Blake Renaud, wide receiver Dallas Burroughs, and defensive end Tyler Horn were burned hard and fast two Saturdays ago against Georgia. Next on the watch list: RB Jay Ajayi and S Lee Hightower. Ajayi wears No. 27 and Hightower wears No. 29, so if you see either of those guys on the field Friday, send me a text.

The injured list

• FB Dan Paul is listed as week-to-week, but not this week. He is doubtful for Friday night with a groin injury.
  
• OG Joe Kellogg is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury, and he is not expected to play against Toledo.
• CB Ebo Makinde had been out all Fall with a chest injury, but he is expected to return this week. He is listed as the backup corner behind Jamar Taylor.
• TE/FB Chandler Koch is questionable. If he and Paul are unable to go at fullback, Boise State will go with some combination of defensive tackle Mike Atkinson, linebacker Tommy Smith, and tight end Gabe Linehan at fullback.
  

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 seven wins to pass Colt McCoy as college football's all-time winningest quarterback.
• Doug Martin needs 82 yards to pass David Mikell Jon Francis for seventh on Boise State's all-time rushing list.
• Martin needs one touchdown to pass Don Hutt and Jared Zabransky for ninth place on Boise State's all-time touchdown list.
• Shea McClellin is on pace for 30 sacks this season (2.5 per game for 12 games). The Boise State single-season record is held by Chris Wing who recorded 20.5 in 1996.

Boise State likes these players, so I like these players

Boise State's internal players of the week against Georgia were tight end Kyle Efaw (offense), defensive end Shea McClellin (defense), punter Brad Elkin (special teams), center Thomas Byrd and defensive tackle Chase Baker (linemen), and linebacker J.C. Percy (Hammer).

Miscellaneous

• Backup center Matt Paradis took snaps for a series against Georgia. And then it was right back to the bench for the rest of the game. But oh, what a series.
  
• Quaylon Ewing-Burton moves from corner to safety in this week's depth chart, now that Ebo Makinde is healthy.
• A lot changed at the wide receiver position on this depth chart (including an official mention of true frosh Dallas Burroughs), but that's really no news since a lot changes at the wide receiver position on every play during a game.
• Wonder what Joe Southwick was thinking when Grant Hedrick took the snaps in Boise State's read option offense. Southwick can play that role, too. 

Your turn

What do you make of this week's depth chart? Do you have a take on the Dutch situation? Should Bronco coaches give Mike Atkinson some carries at fullback this week? Share your thoughts in the comments.