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Ohio and Utah State are a combined 1-11 in bowl games. The Bobcats are coming off a MAC title game loss that featured a 20-point halftime lead that Northern Illinois wiped away, ruining Ohio's chances for a first conference title since 1968. Utah State, meanwhile, lost several heartbreakers during the regular season before bouncing back to make its first bowl appearance since 1997, a Humanitarian Bowl loss, also in Boise, Idaho.

WHO TO WATCH: Robert Turbin. The WAC offensive player of the year is 10th in the nation in rushing, averaging 118 yards per game. His 19 touchdowns are tied for sixth most in the nation. Turbin keys a ground attack that ranks sixth in the nation, averaging more than 277 yards per game.

WHAT TO WATCH: Tyler Tettleton's right arm and legs. The dual-threat quarterback can beat you with his arm or legs. The son of former major league catcher Mickey Tettleton became the first player in school history to surpass 3,000 yards passing (3,086) this season. He's completed more than 60 percent of his throws for 26 touchdowns, with just 10 picks. He's also rushed for 627 yards and nine scores. And he's only a sophomore.

WHY TO WATCH: Ohio is going for its first 10-win season since 1968 in what will be its third straight postseason appearance, although it is 0-5 all time in bowls. The Bobcats are one of just three schools with at least four bowl appearances and no wins. Utah State is going for its first eight-win season since 1979, and the Aggies have won their past five games by a total of 19 points. The game can't be worse than the only other time these schools met, right? Utah State won that 1994 contest 5-0.

PREDICTION: Utah State 27, Ohio 24. The Aggies are looking to extend their five-game win streak. The Bobcats are trying to bounce back after their five-game win streak was snapped in the MAC title game. These squads match up pretty evenly, but Utah State's learning experiences from close losses this season -- last-second defeats to Auburn, Colorado State and BYU -- will once again serve the Aggies well late Saturday.

Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes was selected WAC Coach of the Year, and the Bulldogs led the league with seven first-team selections, the conference announced Monday.

Utah State running back Robert Turbin was selected Offensive Player of the Year, Louisiana Tech linebacker Adrien Cole earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo was selected the Freshman of the Year.

Dykes earned his first WAC Coach of the Year award in just his second season as a head coach after leading Louisiana Tech to an 8-4 record and its second WAC title with a 6-1 mark. Louisiana Tech is playing in its first bowl game since 2008 and won its first WAC title since 2001.

Turbin ranks 10th in the nation in rushing with 118 yards per game and is fifth in scoring with 11.5 points per contest. Turbin has rushed for 1,416 yards and 19 touchdowns to help the Aggies make first bowl appearance since 1997. He also is the first Utah State player to win WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Cole has 121 tackles this season, including 13 for a loss. He also has two sacks, one interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three blocked kicks on the season. Cole is the first player from Louisiana Tech to win WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Fajardo became the starting quarterback for the Wolf Pack in October and has thrown for 1,647 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 680 yards and 11 more scores in nine games played. He is second in the WAC in passing efficiency with a 145.8 rating and is seventh in the WAC in rushing with 75.6 yards per contest. After a 1-3 start, Fajardo helped the Wolf Pack to a five-game winning streak that allowed them to make their seventh straight bowl appearance.

Here is the WAC first-team:

Offense

WR Jalen Saunders, Fresno State

WR Rishard Matthews, Nevada

WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

TE Ryan Otten, San Jose State

OL Bryce Harris, Fresno State

OL Stephen Warner, Louisiana Tech

OL Kris Cavitt, Louisiana Tech

OL Chris Barker, Nevada

OL Tyler Larsen, Utah State

OL Philip Gapelu, Utah State

QB Bryant Moniz, Hawaii

RB Robbie Rouse, Fresno State

RB Robert Turbin, Utah State

Defense

DL Logan Harrell, Fresno State

DL Matt Broha, Louisiana Tech

DL Brett Roy, Nevada

DL Travis Johnson, San Jose State

LB Travis Brown, Fresno State

LB Aaron Brown, Hawaii

LB Adrien Cole, Louisiana Tech

LB Bobby Wagner, Utah State

DB Terry Carter, Louisiana Tech

DB Isaiah Frey, Nevada

DB Donyae Coleman, New Mexico State

DB Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State

Specialists

PK Kevin Goessling, Fresno State

P Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech

ST Taveon Rogers, New Mexico State

Here are the non-AQ players of the week, as selected by each conference:

C-USA

Offense: G.J. Kinne, QB, Tulsa. Kinne went 21-of-27 for 300 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for another in a 57-28 win over UTEP.

Defense: Sammy Brown, LB, Houston. Brown had 10 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and three sacks in a 37-7 win over SMU.

Special teams: Chris Boswell, K, Rice. Boswell made a pair of field goals that went over 50 yards in a 19-7 win over Tulane. His first field goal was a career-best 54-yarder, and he added a 51-yarder in the third quarter.

Independent

Offense: Jake Heaps, QB, BYU. Heaps returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Sept. 30 and led BYU to a 42-7 home win over New Mexico State, going 21-of-36 for 238 yards and a career high-tying four touchdowns.

Defense: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame. Te'o had a team-high 12 tackles in a 16-14 win over Boston College. He added three quarterback hurries.

Special teams: David Ruffer, K, Notre Dame. Ruffer kicked field goals of 40, 41 and 27 yards against Boston College. He has made eight consecutive field goals dating back to a win over Purdue on Oct. 1, and has made 47 straight extra points.

MAC

East Division

Offense: Branden Oliver, RB, Buffalo. Oliver set the school FBS record with a career-high 235 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns in a 51-10 win over Akron. His performance broke the record set by James Starks (231 against Toledo in 2007).

Defense: Stephen Johnson, LB, Temple. Johnson had a career-high 16 tackles, including a career-best eight solo stops, in a 42-14 win over Army.

Special Teams: Matt Weller, K, Ohio. Weller kicked he game-winning field goal from 23 yards, giving Ohio a 29-28 victory over Bowling Green and the MAC East title. The game-winning field goal was his school record fifth in the game.

West Division

Offense: Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois. Harnish broke the school record for total offense in a game with 519 total yards in a 31-28 win over Ball State. His 519 yards of total offense is tied for third most by any player in FBS this season.

Defense: Drew Nowak, DL, Western Michigan. Nowak had a career-high 2.5 sacks and as many tackles for loss in a 24-21 win at Miami. Nowak leads the team with 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on the season.

Special Teams: Demarius Reed, KR, Eastern Michigan. Reed returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown at Kent State for the first time in his career. It was the longest return by an Eastern Michigan player since 2002. Additionally, Reed’s return surpassed the entire season punt return yards total for any player during the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 season.

Mountain West

Offense: Brett Smith, QB, Wyoming. Smith accounted for 352 of his team’s 462 yards of total offense in a 31-10 victory over New Mexico. He had a career-high 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and threw for 212 yards and a touchdown.

Defense: Tank Carder, LB, TCU. Carder returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown and tied a season-high with nine tackles (one for loss) in a 34-10 win over Colorado State.

Special teams: Ross Evans, K, TCU. Evans accounted for 10 points (four extra points, two field goals) in a 34-10 victory against Colorado State. His two field goals of 21 and 46 yards gave him 55 for his career, moving him past BYU’s Matt Payne (54, 2001-04) into second place on the conference career chart.

Sun Belt

Offense: Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky. Rainey rushed for a season-high 214 yards and a touchdown against North Texas, helping the Hilltoppers become bowl eligible. He also caught four passes for 48 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown reception to finish with 262 all-purpose yards.

Defense: Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU. Cyprien had nine tackles, five of them unassisted, and one interception return for a touchdown in a 28-17 win over ULM.

Special teams: Luther Ambrose, KR, ULM. Ambrose had a 98-yard kickoff return for touchdown against FIU, moving into second place in Sun Belt history with his third career kickoff return for a touchdown.

WAC

Offense: Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State. Turbin ran for a career-high 208 yards and three touchdowns in Utah State’s 49-42 double overtime win at Idaho. Two of his touchdown runs came in the overtime periods and the other was on an 80-yard run in the second quarter.

Defense: Adrien Cole, LB, Louisiana Tech. Recorded a career-high 17 tackles (15 solo) in a 24-20 win at Nevada, ending the Wolf Pack’s 16-game home winning streak.

Special teams: Jens Alvernik, K, San Jose State. Alvernik hit two field goals from 44 and 23 yards to help San Jose State beat Navy, 27-24. He now has 16 field goals on the season, tying the school record.

Utah State stunned BYU last season, beating the Cougars for the first time since 1993.

But that game served as a rallying point for BYU. Coach Bronco Mendenhall fired defensive coordinator Jaime Hill and took over the job himself. Players came together, and slowly the offense did, too.

After the loss dropped BYU to 1-4, the Cougars ended up finishing the season on a 6-2 run with a bowl victory. The two meet again tonight in Provo, where Utah State has not won since 1978.

When asked whether last season's loss serves as motivation going into this season, Mendenhall said, "We have had so many changes and it was a pivotal point in the season where so many changes were made. It almost seems like five years ago so I’m not sure. The players might have a different perspective on that. I don’t, it just seems like a long time ago."

BYU (2-2) is having similar offensive struggles this season as Jake Heaps gets used to another offensive system. Fans are grumbling about the play calling the way they did last year under Robert Anae.

It was defense and special teams that helped BYU beat UCF last week. The Cougars are going to need another solid defensive performance against a Utah State team that has lost two heartbreakers already this season.

Utah State (1-2) dropped the opener to Auburn in the waning minutes of that game. Then last week against Colorado State, the Aggies saw a 21-13 lead late in the game evaporate after a muffed punt. The Rams scored a touchdown and got the 2-point conversion to send the game into overtime. The teams traded touchdowns but Utah State coach Gary Anderson decided to go for 2 in the second overtime to win the game.

Robert Turbin was stopped short and the Aggies lost. But there is no question Utah State is playing much better, and could even be better than last season, even if the record does not show it.

"We are playing better football than we have since I have been here for sure and I can’t judge it off of anything other than that," coach Gary Andersen said. "Nobody, nobody wants to win more than those young men in that locker room. It is going to come, it is getting closer every single week and I think that it is going to come on a consistent basis here real soon, it hasn’t yet but that is me just sitting here flapping my lips about wins. It doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t give us W’s.”

There are a few non-AQ spring games this weekend. Here is a quick glance:

Ball State: New coach Pete Lembo has stressed working on fundamentals this spring, but he also has a quarterback competition that has been ongoing between Keith Wenning and Kelly Page. The two are the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, so they have gotten plenty of reps with the first- and second-team offenses. Wenning has an edge following the last scrimmage the Cardinals played. Lembo hopes to have a decision following the spring game. "But if it’s not clear-cut, we won’t panic and we’ll make that decision in the preseason," Lembo said. "Either way, those guys will continue to get a lot of work."

Colorado State: Quarterback Pete Thomas has continued his improvement throughout the spring, but one player to watch is Crockett Gillmore, who has turned heads at tight end after lining up at defensive end. The 6-foot-6 Gillmore had a 1,000-yard season as a receiver in high school and has showed good hands and good blocking this spring. Coach Steve Fairchild was asked after a scrimmage last week whether Gillmore could be used like Stanford two-way player Owen Marecic. "It would take some time, and some well-thought-out packages to see which way he could go the most, and so forth," Fairchild said. "We’ve got a long time before we have to make that decision. But I know this: He’s one of our top 22 football players and he will be on the field in Albuquerque [for the season opener against New Mexico Sept. 3].”

FAU: Graham Wilbert and David Kooi continue their competition to become the starting quarterback, but it appears there may not be a decision until the fall. In the last scrimmage before the spring game, Kooi went 5-of-12 for 64 yards and a touchdown. Wilbert went 12-of-18 for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Idaho: Injuries have taken a big toll this spring, especially on the offensive line, where only two starters participated in the team's last scrimmage. But coach Robb Akey has been pleased with the development of the depth on his defensive line. Michael Cosgrove and Benson Mayowa have been spring standouts, combining for four sacks in the team's last scrimmage.

Marshall: A.J. Graham and Eddie Sullivan have not separated themselves in the race to become the Thundering Herd's starting quarterback. They have one last opportunity to impress in the spring game, though this race is expected to continue into the fall. The Herd has to improve their running game, too, and Essray Taliaferro has impressed this spring.

Navy: Twenty players are being held out of the scrimmage this afternoon for various injuries, including Alexander Teich, Jabaree Tuani, G.G. Greene and Aaron Santiago. Those players are veterans, and do not need to prove themselves. Coach Ken Niumatalolo needs to see his younger defensive players in the game with so many starting jobs up for grabs in the linebacking corps and secondary. Only three starters return on defense.

Northern Illinois: A great running back competition has developed during between Jamal Womble, Jasmin Hopkins and Akeem Daniels.

You can read more about it in a blog post I did earlier this morning.

Utah State: Alex Hart, Jeremy Higgins and Adam Kennedy are competing for the starting quarterback job to replace Diondre Borel. Coach Gary Andersen does not want the offense to fall on their shoulders as much as it did on Borel. They should get some help from a deep running back group that features the return of Robert Turbin (knee) and Michael Smith (turf toe), along with Kerwynn Williams. Turbin has been limited during the spring but expects to be full go for fall practice. The last day of practice is actually April 29, but the spring game is Saturday.

The next player on the Top 25 countdown might not play this year, but his potential was enough to warrant a spot on the list.

No. 23: Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State

2009 numbers: Was third in the WAC and 20^th in the country in rushing with 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns on 207 carries.

Making the case for Turbin: Turbin was one of the great surprises from a year ago, but after suffering a torn ACL in January, questions linger about whether he’ll be able to return for 2010. Still, the possibility of him coming back warranted a spot on this list since he has the opportunity to be one of the best running backs in the WAC and the country. Turbin set a school record for most touchdowns and most points scored last season and was his team's most effective offensive weapon. He won’t play this year unless he can regain his 2009 form, but if he doesn’t see the field, he’ll still have two years of eligibility remaining.

Wrapping up the WAC’s spring superlatives is Utah State. The Aggies had a great offense last year, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a terrible defense, which contributed to the Aggies' 4-8 finish. However, there is optimism this year that Utah State can make its first bowl game since 1997 and put the team back on the WAC map.

Here’s a look at the strongest and weakest positions for Utah State this spring:

Strongest position: Running back

Key returners: Junior Robert Turbin (207 carries, 1,296 yards, 13 touchdowns), senior Michael Smith (46 carries, 290 yards, four touchdowns), senior Derrvin Speight (42 carries, 210 yards, two touchdowns)

Key departures: None.

The skinny: The running game took a big hit this offseason when Turbin tore his ACL. It’s unknown how long he will be out -- speculation ranges from a couple of games to the entire season -- but three running backs have carried the load in Turbin’s stead. Smith, Speight and Kerwynn Williams all bring different traits to the field and coach Gary Andersen said he’d probably need all three to fill the void Turbin left. However, the running game appears to be the deepest position on the field next to the receiving corps.

Weakest position: Secondary

Key returners: Senior Rajric Coleman (74 tackles, two interceptions), senior Chris Randle (53 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack), senior Chris Marsh (32 tackles, five passes defended), junior Walter McClendon (33 tackles, one interception)

Key departures: James Brindley (78 tackles, three interceptions), Kejon Murphy (26 tackles, two interceptions)

The skinny: Utah State’s pass defense ranked 101^st in the country giving up 249.58 yards per game last season. Coach Gary Andersen challenged that group to get better this spring and it's still a work in progress. Cornerback Chris Randle had a great spring, but the rest of the secondary still has a ways to go. The depth was bolstered with the return of Jamaine Olson, who started two games last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury, and junior college transfers Alfred Bowden and Gavin Jones. Walter McClendon, who played in seven games last season, could have a major impact as a starter this year.

One of Utah State’s goals this spring was finding a replacement for running back Robert Turbin, who suffered a knee injury during offseason workouts.

Turbin could be back early in the season, but in the meantime, the Aggies have to find a suitable backup plan in case Turbin’s injury keeps him on the shelf for the entire year.

Enter Michael Smith.

Smith, a senior, was Turbin’s backup last season and accounted for 290 yards and four touchdowns on 46 carries. He was the top contender heading into the spring campaign and has continued to secure that role with just two weeks remaining in spring ball.

During Saturday’s scrimmage, Smith rushed for a game-high 112 yards and touchdown and had 91 yards receiving.

“I wouldn’t say I am getting comfortable,” Smith said. “I am learning my plays more and understanding the offense more. I am more comfortable. I haven’t won the starting spot yet. They haven’t told me that I am the guy. I am looking forward to leading this team and making a major impact.”

When spring ball started, Turbin said the natural go-to guy would likely be Smith. But the Aggies have three capable backs in spring practices, including Derrvin Speight and Kerwynn Williams.

“Michael Smith was the second-string guy last season and behind him was Derrvin Speight. Both of those guys are going to be seniors and I believe that they can both get the job done,” Turbin said. “They’re two very, very different running backs and I think they can make a pretty decent one-two punch combination there.”

But sophomore Williams also has been making a strong impression on coaches, which will only help the Aggies if they have to go to a committee approach. Coach Gary Andersen said he anticipated having to use multiple running backs to replace all the things that Turbin could do.

“I think it will be a committee situation, I really do because our backs are very different,” Andersen said in an interview in March. “The thing that Robert brought to the table was he caught the ball very well. He was a very good zone runner, he was a physical runner and he was also a tremendous pass protector. I can’t say that another back we have has all of those areas where he’s such a quality player, but they’ll work at it.”

Turbin has tried to be at every practice and every meeting, cheering his teammates on and being a player-coach. Although his injury won’t let him participate in spring ball, he still feels like he’s part of the action.

Turbin said he’s all about the team and he wants the best running back to play, which he confesses might not be him as he continues his rehab.

“I’m telling them stuff that I learned from the coaches and telling them stuff that I’ve experienced as a player,” Turbin said. “Being injured is tough, but I still tell myself that I have to be out there to help the young guys. I want the best for the team.”

Utah State running back Robert Turbin is taking a big step in his recovery today -- he’s going to jog.

Turbin, who tore his ACL during offseason workouts six weeks ago, will lightly jog on the treadmill at the bottom of Utah State’s HydroWorx pool in hopes of regaining strength and range of motion in his leg and getting his quad muscle to begin firing again.

“I don’t want to rush anything, but to hear that I can start jogging is good news,” said Turbin, Utah State’s leading rusher last season. “This is the best it’s ever felt. The swelling is down. I walk just fine. I feel good.”

The thought of running is a little daunting, though. It was a simple sprint in the Aggies indoor facility that caused Turbin’s injury in the first place. One slight misstep turned his knee awkwardly and snapped his ACL. The PCL, MCL and cartilage remained intact. However, it forced surgery and likely will cause Turbin to miss the 2010 season.

“It was just a freak accident,” Turbin said.

When Turbin first suffered the injury, doctors told him that he’d probably miss the 2010 season. Although he’s progressed well these first six weeks and nearly has his range of motion completely back, he’s trying to take his rehab slowly.

“[Doctors] understood that as a player I wanted to do everything I could to be back as soon as possible and get back on the field and play again, but they kind of felt like that’s not always the best decision,” Turbin said. “So, they expect me to be out this season, but if I’m good enough and healthy enough and I feel good enough, I can come back and play this season. They’re going to do everything that they can to get me back on the field as soon as possible and they’ve done a good job so far.”

The injury has curtailed the training regimen Turbin wanted to execute this offseason. His focus was to work on his endurance and stamina as well as increase his long distance running. Now, he said, his focus is being able to lock out his leg when he walks.

“There were things that I wanted to do this offseason as far as training to better myself as a football player and some of those things, obviously, I’m not going to be able to do,” Turbin said. “If I sat, I’d be able to train exactly the way I wanted and then some because I’ll even have extra time to do even more training than I would if I were getting ready to play this fall. So, the only part of me that wants to sit out is to be able to train exactly the way I wanted to train.”

Utah State coach Gary Andersen said he would leave the decision in Turbin’s hands later this summer, but he agreed that Turbin would have more time to accomplish his goals if he waited until he was 100 percent before coming back. Should Turbin miss the season, he will be eligible for a medical redshirt and have two years remaining to better his 1,296 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns he had this past season.

Andersen said the Aggies don’t have a running back that can do everything Turbin did, but that this spring will be important in finding the right combination among Michael Smith, Derrvin Speight and Kerwynn Williams to put on the field in 2010.

“I think it will be a committee situation, I really do because our backs are very different,” Andersen said. “The thing that Robert brought to the table was he caught the ball very well. He was a very good zone runner, he was a physical runner and he was also a tremendous pass protector. I can’t say that another back we have has all of those areas where he’s such a quality player, but they’ll work at it.”

Turbin has been working with the other running backs, sitting in on meetings, watching drills and encouraging the teammates that might take his place. Turbin is disappointed that he’s not on the filed, but he’s also has made peace with the prospect of not playing this year.

“I think initially I didn’t know how to approach tearing my ACL and the fact of how I did it at the same time. It was frustrating,” Turbin said. “I was running straight and all of a sudden there goes my ACL. It was frustrating at first, but I’m a pretty patient guy and I always have been. Now it’s not as frustrating anymore. I’m fine with playing this season or not. I’m just taking it one day at a time.”

A lot of rebuilding projects get underway this week as another round of teams begin spring football. New coaches such as Ruffin McNeill and Rob Ianello will get their first glimpses of their teams on the field, while other coaches such as Todd Dodge, Bob Toledo and Mike Locksley try to put their teams on track.

Here’s a look at this week’s spring starts and the biggest issues each teams faces:

East Carolina, March 22

Biggest issue: With several senior lettermen gone, new head coach Ruffin McNeill is basically starting from scratch, but he does have a good foundation upon which to build. The Pirates will spend the spring transitioning from a pro-style offense to a spread under the direction of new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley.

Tulane, March 22

Biggest issue: There are several issues Tulane has to deal with the spring, but the biggest will be replacing the production of running back Andre Anderson. Anderson accounted for 80 percent of the team’s rushing yards and scored eight of the team’s 10 rushing touchdowns.

Idaho, March 23

Biggest issue: The Idaho offense was quite good last season, but the defense cost it some games. The defense allowed 433.23 yards per game and 36 points per game. It returns 11 players with starting experience, which should help. The Vandals also have to replace four starters on the offensive line.

New Mexico, March 23

Biggest issue: With three-year starter Donovan Porterie gone, sophomore B.R. Holbrook and juniors Tate Smith and Brad Gruner will compete for the starting quarterback spot. However, the winner of that competition will have to fend off top recruits Tarean Austin and Stump Godfrey in the fall.

Northern Illinois, March 23

Biggest issue: Starting quarterback Chandler Harnish will miss spring football, which opens up the quarterback position. A.J. Hill, DeMarcus Grady, Jordan Lynch will be vying for time, but a lot will be expected from junior college transfer Casey Weston in the fall.

North Texas, March 23

Biggest issue: This is a pivotal season for Dodge and his staff, and the key to turning the Mean Green’s fortunes around is getting the defense to play better. North Texas allowed 412.33 yards and 35.58 points per game last season, and also averaged just one sack per game.

Utah State, March 23

Biggest issue: With running back Robert Turbin sidelined with a knee injury, the Aggies will have to find a running back to fill his shoes. Turbin accounted for almost 60 percent of the team’s rushing yardage.

Akron, March 24

Biggest issue: Ianello enters his first spring, and the top priority will be to find playmakers on offense. Akron, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2005, averaged just 19.25 points per game last season.

Ball State, March 24

Biggest issue: The Cardinals will look to replicate the type of offense they had during their 12-win season in 2008. Last season the run game was OK, but the passing game struggled. All of the quarterbacks are healthy this spring and running back MiQuale Lewis returns for a sixth season.

TCU, March 24

Biggest issue: The Horned Frogs didn’t lose much from last season’s 12-win team, but they did lose their top defensive performers in defensive end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington. Replacing those players, as well as adding depth in the secondary, will be the focus this spring.

UAB, March 24

Biggest issue: David Isabelle has the unenviable task of replacing do-it-all quarterback Joe Webb, who was essentially all of the Blazers' offense for the past two seasons. Isabelle does bring a strong arm as well as rushing ability to the quarterbacking position, which might help other players get involved in the offense.

Colorado State, March 25

Biggest issue: The Rams will once again look for a new starting quarterback this spring, and all eyes will be on early enrollee Pete Thomas, who is the favorite to win the job. Senior Jon Eastman, junior T.J. Borcky and redshirt freshman Nico Ranieri also will compete for the starting role.

UTEP, March 25

Biggest issue: Former UNLV defensive line coach Andre Patterson takes over as the defensive coordinator, and he’ll do away with the 3-3-5 defense installed by Osia Lewis. The Miners have consistently been bad on defense, which has stopped them from competing for the C-USA West title. But if Patterson can get the defense moving in the right direction, the Miners become a dangerous team.

Houston, March 27

Biggest issue: New defensive coordinator Brian Stewart inherits a young group with a lot of talent and will need to show some sort of defensive turnaround this spring. The defense was part of the reason the Cougars didn’t cap the perfect season they started.

Here's a breakdown of three issues facing each program heading into the spring:

Boise State Broncos
Spring practice starts: March 8
Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

" All starters but Kyle Wilson return in 2010. Jerrell Gavins, who started at Wilson's outside cornerback position during the Fiesta Bowl (Wilson moved to safety) likely will slip into that starting slot.

" With so many players returning and few questions to answer, the Broncos can really start working on the 2010 season. This will also be a good time to sort out the offensive line (10 O-linemen had at least one start last year) and looking for some redshirted playmakers that could find their way into the lineup this season.

" Defensive line coach Pete Kwiatkowski steps in as the new defensive coordinator for Justin Wilcox, who went to Tennessee, but don’t expect any major changes to the defense. Kwiatkowski was Wilcox’s mentor and the two shared the same vision for the Broncos defense.

Fresno State Bulldogs
Spring practice starts: March 15
Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

" Fresno State lost three top backs in Ryan Mathews, Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding and will spend the spring looking for a replacement. Robbie Rouse is the top returning back, but he’s a smaller back than the ones the Bulldogs lost. Look for Michael Harris to get a chance this spring.

" With Seyi Ajirotutu, Marlon Moore and Chastin West gone, the Bulldogs will be looking to fill their receiver depth to help starting quarterback Ryan Colburn. Coach Pat Hill noted on signing day that he wants to spread things out this year and he’s looking forward to some speed joining the team in the fall. In the meantime, sophomore Rashad Evans, redshirt freshman A.J. Johnson and sophomore J.J. Stallworth will work for playing time with Jamel Hamler and Devon Wylie.

" The defensive front, which struggled late against the running game (most notably Nevada and Wyoming), will be a focus this spring. The Bulldogs return nine starters from the bowl game, including All-WAC first team defensive end Chris Carter and linebacker Ben Jacobs.

Hawaii Warriors
Spring practice starts: April 1
Spring game: April 30

What to watch:

" The offensive line was a question heading into the 2009 season and will be again in 2010. The Warriors lose four senior starters, including center John Estes. Backups Kainoa LaCount, Matagisila Lefiti, Andrew Faaumu, Bronson Tiwanak, Clayton Laurel and Adrian Thomas will be among those competing for starting roles.

" Bryan Moniz finished the season as the starting quarterback and will go into spring ball as the leading candidate to start in 2010, but Shane Austin, who played some in 2009, will challenge for the starting role this spring. Moniz finished the season completing 57 percent of his passes for 2,396 yards, 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

" The Hawaii defense struggled some last year, but should be better if star linebacker Brashton Satele receives a sixth season. The Warriors will be looking for a new right tackle as well as a couple of starting linebackers, but the defense, which improved as the season progressed, should be a pleasant surprise in 2010.

Idaho Vandals
Spring practice starts: March 23
Spring game: April 23

What to watch:

" The top priority this spring will be reloading the offensive line. The Vandals lost four starters on the offensive line, including All-American guard Mike Iupati. The only returner is left tackle Matt Cleveland. Guy Reynolds Jr. was Iupati’s backup, and players such as Clell Hasenbank, Tevita HalaHolo and Tyron Novikoff will be competing for starting roles.

" The offense carried the team last year, especially the passing game, but starting quarterback Nathan Enderle will have to work out three new receivers this spring. The biggest loss is slot Max Komar, who made key catches all season, including in the Humanitarian Bowl win over Bowling Green.

" The Idaho defense was one of the worst in the country allowing 433.23 yards per game and 36.00 points per game. More often than not, the Vandals were trying to outscore their opponents instead of stopping them defensively. Eleven players with starting experience from last year’s bowl team return; the only loss is strong safety Jeromy Jones. But with the way the defense played last season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some of those positions open this spring.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Spring practice starts: March 17
Spring game: April 10

What to watch:

" The loss of running back Daniel Porter and tight end Dennis Morris takes out a lot of the offense and scoring the Bulldogs had in 2009. New head coach Sonny Dykes and offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will spend the spring looking for playmakers to fit their wide-open offensive style.

" Wide receiver will be a key competition this spring for Louisiana Tech’s new spread offense. Tennessee transfer Ahmad Paige and LSU transfer Tim Molton are both eligible and will join RP Stuart, Cruz Williams and Phillip Livas in the receiving corps.

" Louisiana Tech will be looking for some consistency in the punting game after Cade Glasgow struggled last year. Overall, the Bulldogs punting game averaged 32.91 yards per game, which ranked last in the WAC. The Bulldogs didn’t recruit a punter, so expect some potential walk-on help.

New Mexico State Aggies
Spring practice starts: April 5
Spring game: May 1

What to watch:

" Second-year coach DeWayne Walker was unhappy with the team's scoring, especially in the second half of the season, which prompted him to replace his offensive coordinator and running backs coach. His main priority this spring is finding some consistency at quarterback. Jeff Fleming and Trevor Walls return and redshirt freshman Tanner Rust and true freshman Andrew Manley will challenge, but junior college transfer Matt Christian is the favorite to be the starter.

" The running game was the one bright spot for the offense last season with Seth Smith rushing for 1,016 yards, but he had just one rushing touchdown. Redshirt freshman Marquese Dunn will get a look this spring and will challenge for playing time as Walker looks for playmakers.

" Shoring up a total defense that allowed 423.62 yards per game and 31.62 points per game will be Walker’s project this spring. The Aggies return some key players, but Walker said most of the help on the defensive line will come in the fall.

Nevada Wolf Pack
Spring practice starts: March 5
Spring game: April 3

What to watch:

" The running game is Nevada’s bread and butter and it should stay that way with quarterback Colin Kaepernick and star running back Vai Taua returning. However, the Wolf Pack need to spend this spring working on depth with players such as Lampford Mark, Mike Ball and Stefphon Jefferson.

" The offensive line needs to replace Kenneth Ackerman and Alonzo Durham this spring in order to keep the running game effective. Center Jeff Meads and tackle Jose Acuna are the primary backups for those two spots. The Wolf Pack also will look to build offensive line depth across the board.

" The Nevada defense will spend the spring learning a slightly altered 4-3 defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Andy Buh. The defense has been the weak link of the Wolf Pack for the past few years, so shoring that up this spring will be a high priority.

San Jose State Spartans
Spring practice starts: March 12
Spring game: April 22

What to watch:

" For the second consecutive season, San Jose State had trouble producing offense mostly because of inconsistent play at quarterback. Jordan La Secla returns as the incumbent, but junior college transfer Matt Faulkner, who enrolled in January, will challenge this spring.

" For as much as the passing offense struggled, the rushing offense was worse. Lamon Muldrow, who led the team with 592 yards and three touchdowns last season will be counted on in the running game, but the Spartans signed three running backs for 2010, including Forrest Hightower, who will challenge in the fall.

" Most of spring practice will be spent learning the new coaching staff and the new offensive and defensive schemes. The Spartans are transitioning from a spread offense to a more traditional style that will incorporate an H-back and a tight end. The Spartans also will move toward an attacking style defense, but will stay in a 4-3 base that will feature both man-to-man and zone coverage.

Utah State Aggies
Spring practice starts: March 23
Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

" The primary concern this spring will be finding running back depth after star Robert Turbin suffered a torn ACL during winter workouts. All eyes will be on Michael Smith, Derrvin Speight and Kerrwynn Williams as they try to pick up the slack.

" Second-year head coach Gary Andersen is showing his commitment to defense after shuffling several players on that side of the ball. Nathan Royster is moving from defensive tackle to end, Junior Keiaho and Devin Johnson are moving from end to linebacker, wide receiver Cameron Sanders has moved to defensive back and the Aggies are hoping to get some defensive contribution out of Page Clifford, a transfer from Utah.

" There should be some good competition at wide receiver this spring with Matt Austin returning from injury and Travis Van Leeuewen coming off a redshirt season. Mid-year signees Xavier Martin and Dontel Watkins also will challenge for starting roles. Utah State had a good passing offense with 246.75 yards per game from starter Diondre Borel.

Utah State running back Robert Turbin has helped revitalize the Aggies running game and diversify the offense this year. Last week, he surpassed 1,000 yards, becoming the first Aggies running back to reach that milestone since 2001.

He’s rushed for more than 100 yards in two of the past three games and tonight he tries his luck against No. 6 Boise State. Turbin took a few minutes to chat about the season and his record.

You’ve got two games remaining. How do you feel like this season has gone for you guys?

Robert Turbin: Obviously the season, as a team, hasn’t gone as planned. We thought we’d have more wins on the schedule there, but we’ve been able to play through some things and we played well at home. As far as the running game goes, obviously a great accomplishment going over 1,000 yards last game. That’s something that we’ve had a goal to do as an offense since the beginning of the year. And to be able to accomplish it has been great for us. It’s real humbling, for me especially, to be able to do that.

What was it like for you passing 1,000 yards?

RT: Words can’t describe. It’s always been a goal of mine and it’s been a goal as a team for our whole offense. We haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher here in a long time. It’s humbling to see all the work that you put in in the offseason and camp and in the summer pay off. When all that hard work actually pays off and you reach some of your goals, words can’t describe the feeling of that.

How much did you feel like the running game needed to pick it up this year to take some pressure of your quarterback?

RT: We felt like we needed to pick up a lot. Last year the running game was so-so. Last season, Diondre [Borel] was mostly the running game and we didn’t want that this season. So, we got together in the spring, we started our new offense with the new coaching staff and new scheme and things like that, and really put an emphasis on getting the running backs the ball and having the running backs be able to produce. And we’ve been able to do that.

Now that you’re almost a year through it, how do you like the new coaching staff, the new offense and some of the new ideas?

RT: I’ve loved it and it’s been great. It’s been great learning the spread offense. I didn’t know if I’d like it at first. It was something that I wasn’t used to. I’d never been a part of a spread offense before. But I was able to get used to it real fast and be able to pick up on some of the new terminology and some of the new plays real fast. We’ve been able to click as an offense and get it going on the ground.

This week your coach said he’d like to model your program after Boise State. What do you think of that?

RT: Well, Boise State is obviously at a stage in their program where we want to get. We want to be Top 25 consistently every year, top 10 and things like that, putting ourselves in the position to win championships and getting to bowl games. We want to get there and if we can pull out a win on Friday that would be huge. That would be a big step for this program, a big step for these players and we would be able to build off that.

Do you have more confidence going into this Boise State game this year than maybe you did a year ago?

RT: Sure. We know that we’re a better team. We know we’re a good team if we do things the correct way. If we execute, if we play fast like we’re supposed to, if we don’t turn the ball over, we’re a hard team to stop on offense and defensively. We know that Boise State is a great team, they have a great defense, the best in the WAC, and they do a lot of different things on offense that can put a lot of points on the board. But we’re confident that if we’re disciplined in our assignments and what we’re supposed to do we’ll be able to win the game.

Has this season been more fun? I know the wins haven’t been there, but you’ve been way more competitive.


RT: Even though the wins haven’t been there, it has been a lot of fun. We have a lot more fun as a team. We do a lot of team activities and stuff like that more so than we did before. There’s a lot more camaraderie throughout the team. There’s a better player-coach relationship throughout the team. We’re having a lot of fun. We’re laughing and joking and having a good time and when it’s time to get down to business, we’re able to focus, too.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson

Max Hall, QB, BYU: BYU’s embattled quarterback completed 9 of 10 passes on the final series and led his team 78 yards on the game-winning drive in the Cougars' 14-13 upset of No. 3 Oklahoma.

Joe Webb, QB, UAB: Completed 12 of 15 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 20 times for 194 yards and two touchdowns in a 44-24 win over conference foe Rice.

Charles Sims, WR, Houston: In his first collegiate game, Sims caught six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in a 55-7 win over Northwestern State.

Ricky Dobbs, QB, Navy: Completed 9-of-13 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns against No. 6 Ohio State.

Riley Dodge, QB, North Texas: Completed 23-of-33 passes for 216 yards and rushed for 73 yards to give North Texas a 20-10 win in his first collegiate start at quarterback.

Rock Dennis, S, SMU: Had two interceptions, a fumble recovery and eight tackles in SMU’s season opening win against Stephen F. Austin. It was SMU’s first win in a season opener since 2000.

Because I have so many players to cover, I added an others receiving votes category:

David Reed, WR, Utah: Had 10 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown in a 35-17 win over Utah State.

Cody Slate, TE, Marshall: Caught nine passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns to surpass former Marshall tight end Sean Doctor for the most receiving yards by a tight end in Marshall Football history.

Boise State’s defense: Held No. 16 Oregon to 152 yards of total offense, including no first downs in the first half, and forced two turnovers en route to a 19-8 Boise State win.

Robert Turbin, QB, Utah State: His 96-yard TD rush set a school-record for longest rushing play and tied the longest offensive play in school history.

Stephen Williams, WR, Toledo: Had 15 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns, but the Rockets fell 52-31 to Purdue.