The Lives of Others | by Pat
Recent upgrades to the BGS Lab have allowed us to keep better tabs on ND's upcoming opponents. Here's the quick takeaway on the major spring storylines from each '09 foe. Feel free to add your own observations and see if you can identify the recurring theme.
Nevada
Major Storylines - Even with starting QB and team leader Colin Kapernick sitting out the spring to heal an injured ankle, the Wolfpack offense, led by a veteran running back corp, still prepped for what is expected to be a stellar 2009 campaign. Much is expected of the improving defensive line who helped Nevada to a #6 rush defense ranking last season and returns 1st Team All-WAC DE Kevin Basped. The next step will be to generate a better pass rush to help out a secondary that was last in the nation last season in pass defense.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance: 1,000
Michigan
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Wolverine fans was the quarterback battle between returning part-time starter Nick Sheridan and early enrollee Tate Forcier. Sheridan broke his leg early in spring ball, leading to the skinny Forcier (right) assuming the de facto starter role. A strong spring game helped build fan confidence in the likely fall starter. The OL returned some veteran players, but will need solid production out of some promising redshirt freshmen in order to avoid a repeat of last year's dismal performance. On the defensive side of things, new defensive coordinator and former Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson worked with a defense light on experience as he implemented a hybrid 3-4 defensive system.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance - 50,000
Michigan State
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Spartan fans was the quarterback battle between last season's backup Kirk Cousins and Oklahoma transfer Keith Nichol. Each split snaps and had strong spring game showings in a QB battle that will stretch into fall camp. Replacing star back Javon Ringer was also a point of emphasis but so far none of the running back by committee members distinguished themselves. Look for another fall camp battle. The installation of a few option offense plays to the playbook is another new feature of the rebuilt running game. Led by All-American candidate Greg Jones, the MSU defense will have to break in a number of new starters but overall should be a fast and athletic defense.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance: 26,000
Purdue
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Boilermaker fans was the quarterback battle between Justin Siller and Joey Elliot to replace the graduated Curtis Painter. The race was cut short though when Siller was kicked out of Purdue. Elliot held onto the #1 spot over redshirt freshmen Caleb TerBush as new head coach Danny Hope works to avoid any letdown in the post-Tiller era. In addition to a new QB, Purdue will need to find a way to replace the production of Kory Sheets, the Boilermakers all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance: 5,000
Washington
Major Storylines - Jake Locker returned from the thumb injury that forced him to miss most of last season and quickly adapted to new head coach Steve Sarkisian's pro-style offense. Getting the other 21 starters to shake off last season's 0-12 campaign will be the big challenge. Running back Chris Polk, coming off an injury related redshirt freshman season, was a source of praise from Sarkisian and is in line to be the primary ballcarrier for the Huskies. The defense, ranked 112th in the nation last season, should be improved, but there is a long way to go.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance:10,000
Southern Cal
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Trojan fans was the quarterback battle between Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain, and early enrollee Matt Barkley. In the end, Corp (right) nailed down the starting spot by playing safe and largely mistake free football while Barkley jumped ahead of Mustain. The defense had to break in a number of new starters, particularly at linebacker, but athletically won't have much of a dropoff thanks to years of top tier recruiting. The Trojans just might be faster than last year's version, but will have to find a way to replace all of the lost experience and leadership.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance: 22,565
Boston College
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Eagle fans was the quarterback battle between Dominque Davis, Justin Tuggle, and Codi Boek. Davis had the slight upper hand coming into the spring after starting three games last season and neither backup did enough to unseat him. Under new head coach Frank Spazini, the offense began work to move to a more power running game to compliment their lack of experience at quarterback. The defense, led by All-American candidate Mark Herzlich, will need to find a way to fill the shoes of NFL draftees B.J. Raji and Ron Brace at defensive tackle.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Spring Game Attendance: 5,000
Washington State
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Cougar fans was supposed to be the quarterback battle between Marshall Lobbestael, Kevin Lopina, and J.T. Levenseller. But Lobbestael is still recovering from the knee injury that knocked him out last season and Levenseller broke his leg at the start of April. That left Lopina to take the first team snaps as the Cougars began work on installing a no-huddle offense. Lobbestael should push for the starting job once he returns in the fall. Injuries, a major theme last year, hit again as multiple likely starters missed time this spring. Finally, the team worked to find five new starters for a defense that let up more points last season than any team in D-1 (FBS) history.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance:400
Navy
Major Storylines - One of rare 2009 ND opponents who were sure of their starting QB (junior Ricky Dobbs), Navy worried more about how to replace Eric Kettani at the all-important fullback position. Sophomore Alex Teich is one of the younger, and lighter, fullbacks to earn the starting spot in recent memory after holding off the challengers. On defense, the story is experience as the entire front seven is comprised of seniors.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance:700
Pittsburgh
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Panther fans was the quarterback battle between Bill Stull and Pat Bostick. Stull ended the 2008 season as the team starter and didn't play bad enough to lose his job in the spring, but Bostick was named the team's most improved offensive player. With a strong start to fall camp, he might beat out Stull. Replacing All-Big East LeSean McCoy will be a tough task for the returning running backs, but sophomore wideout Jonathan Baldwin is quickly establishing himself as the go-to threat in the Panther offense. One trouble area that will continue to hamper Pitt is the slow development of a shaky offensive line.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance:6,160
Connecticut
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Husky fans was the quarterback battle between ND transfer Zach Frazer and Cody Endres. Frazer emerged at the top following spring practice. A similar position battle of interest was at running back where UConn looks to replace Donald Brown, the nation's leading rusher in 2008 and a 1st round NFL draft pick. All told, UConn lost four players in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft meaning the Huskies will have a replace a fair amount of talent in the 2009 season.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance: 7,000
Stanford
Major Storylines - The main attraction for Cardinal fans was the quarterback battle between returning starter Tavita Pritchard and redshirt freshman Andrew Luck. As it stands now, Luck appears to have the edge for the starting gig heading into the fall. Either desperate to generate some team depth or a ploy to attract more recruits, Coach Harbaugh practiced certain players on both offense and defense during the spring and claimed as many as 10 would continue the two-way practice in the fall.
Quick Notes - Spring Game Recap, Latest Depth Chart, Spring Game Attendance:1,500
