Boise State's depth chart for Fresno week is without the Mitch Burroughs Experience and is with the Geraldo Boldewijn Adventure. See what else is new below, and keep reading for analysis and wild speculation.
OFFENSE
- QB: Joe Southwick, Grant Hedrick, Jimmy Laughrea
- RB: D.J. Harper, Jay Ajayi
- FB: Dan Paul, Connor Peters
- X receiver: Matt Miller, Aaron Burks
- Z receiver: Chris Potter, Dallas Burroughs
- Slot receiver: Kirby Moore, Geraldo Boldewijn
- TE: Chandler Koch, Holden Huff, Hayden Plinke
- LT: Charles Leno, Faraji Wright
- LG: Joe Kellogg, Marcus Henry
- C: Matt Paradis, Spencer Gerke
- RG: Spencer Gerke, Michael Ames
- RT: Brenel Myers, Rees Odhiambo
DEFENSE
- DE: Demarcus Lawrence, Tyler Horn
- NT: Mike Atkinson, Greg Grimes
- DT: Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Darren Koontz
- Stud end: Sam Ukwuachu, Beau Martin OR Kharyee Marshall
- MLB: Tommy Smith, Blake Renaud
- WLB: J.C. Percy, Tyler Gray
- N: Dextrell Simmons, Corey Bell OR Jonathan Brown
- CB: Jamar Taylor, Ebo Makinde
- CB: Jerrell Gavins, Bryan Douglas
- S: Jeremy Ioane, Hazen Moss
- S: Lee Hightower, Darian Thompson
SPECIAL TEAMS
- K: Michael Frisina, Dan Goodale
- P: Trevor Harman, Dan Goodale
- KO: Trevor Harman, Dan Goodale
- Holder: Matt Miller, Joe Southwick
- KR: D.J. Harper, Dallas Burroughs
- PR: Chris Potter
- Snapper: Chris Roberson, Kevin Keane
Now for some news and notes and wild speculation:
With the loss of Mitch Burroughs for an indefinite amount of time (wrist injury Bravo Orange, per the Boise State injury report that defies explanation), a greater onus will fall on Chris Potter to keep up the good work. Potter leads the team with three touchdown catches this season and can often be seen slow-motioning his way over and around tacklers. He takes Burroughs' place on the depth chart at wideout, and he claims sole punt return duties in Burroughs' absence.
Or is it Matt Miller who will need to step up at wide receiver? The star of the Bronco receiving corps is quite obviously Joe Southwick's favorite target. If Burroughs was Southwick's Target No. 2, will that mean more footballs headed Miller's way? Honestly, he could catch 15 passes on Saturday and I wouldn't be surprised.
Or maybe this is Geraldo Boldewijn's chance to shine? The oft-suspended wide receiver had one catch for 12 yards last week in his first game of the year, and he figures to have a slightly expanded role now that Burroughs is out (all receivers should expect a larger role, by default).
Actual answer: Everyone has to step up. This is one of those "carry the flag" moments that Boise State coaches love to mythologize. Which receiver will step up? All the receivers will step up.
Enough about wide receivers, what about that offensive line? The Bronco running game is not yet at 100 percent, probably because the line is not yet at 100 percent either healthwise or productionwise. Joe Kellogg is back in the starting lineup; Jake Broyles and Michael Ames are not. It is safe to say that the Bronco ground game relies on the front five doing their jobs well. D.J. Harper and Jay Ajayi and Jack Fields can only make so many guys miss per play.
How is everyone feeling about Joe Southwick? The furor over his being under center has subsided, possibly because he is putting up numbers that are hard to argue with. He has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his last two games. Many of his incompletions can be attributed to drops. His one interception last week came before he turned it on with three scores the rest of the way. Has Bronco Nation forgiven Southwick for not being Nick Patti? Ask me again if the Broncos are trailing in the second half against Fresno this weekend.
Name the last big back Boise State had in the backfield. Jay Ajayi seems like a rare weapon for the Bronco offense. He is Jarvis Hodge minus the garbage time.
Trevor Harman's punting has appeared to be a comedy of errors so far this season, but could it be a purposeful comedy of errors? Some brave media soul asked Chris Petersen about it in his press conference, and Coach Pete maintained that he was very pleased with Harman's performance. I'm pretty sure I saw a punt that went no more than 10 yards above the ground last week. I guess that is by design?
Your turn
What did you find interesting on this week's depth chart? What do you think about the wide receivers in the absence of Mitch Burroughs? Share your thoughts in the comments.