College football preview 2010--Part I Weber State

2010 Weber State Wildcats
Storyline: Post Season for the Third Consecutive year?

2010 Offensive MVP: QB Cameron Higgins, Sr

Questions For the 2010 Season:
-How do you handle opening and closing the season at FBS/BCS powers?
-How do you replace all of the star power that left last season?  Bo Bolen, Trevyn Smith, Tim Toone, Kyle Mucher and Mike Snoy among others who have mostly gone pro in something other than football.
-Can a running game get established with four freshmen and a sophomore?
-Can Cam avoid the costly turnovers?

Schedule and predicted results:

September 4: @ Boston College (Loss)
September 11: Northern Colorado (Win)
September 18: @ Sacramento State (Win)
September 24: Cal-Davis (Win)
October 2: Eastern Washington (Win)
October 16: @ Idaho State (Win)
October 23: Portland State (Win)
October 30: Montana (Loss)
November 6: @ Montana State (Loss)
November 13: @ Northern Arizona (Win)
November 20: @ Texas Tech (Loss)

Outlook:
Key games: September 11 vs. Northern Colorado.  It is important for the 'Cats to get the FCS season to a good start.  Struggling against NCU could set the table for a long, hard season.  No doubt that both Montana games will be critical as well, it would be nice for WSU fans to get a win against one of the Treasure State schools.

WSU will go to the post-season for certain with 2 or fewer losses before the November 20th game at Texas Tech.  If WSU can turn the final game into an exhibition game, all will be well.  Cam Higgins is back for one more year, and he has Tyler Francisco and Mike Phillips back as primary targets.  Likely starting running back will be last season's Utah 5A MVP Tanner Hinds from nearby Davis High School.  There is also an all-stater from last year taking over kicking duties.  The defense will continue to be strong.  Prediction: 7-4, tie for 2nd place in the Big Sky with Montana State.  WSU could still host a first-round game in November as the FCS playoffs expands to 20.  They will need to run the table against FCS competition and/or win one of the FBS games to be one of the top-4 seeds.  That will mean hosting a second round games against a team without a first-round bye.  Beat either Montana or Montana State and WSU should get a first-round bye.  Chances are good that the Big Sky Conference will have three teams in the playoffs again this year.

Coming Next: Utah State Aggies