Huskies Versus Broncos: Examining Boise State’s Depth Chart

Dec 22, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Kasen Williams (2) battles Boise State Broncos defensive back Jerrell Gavins (4) in the third quarter of the Maaco Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Boise State defeated Washington 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Josh Holmberg-USA TODAY Sports

I am continuing to familiarize myself with Boise State as much as possible in the next month. Given that it’s the first game in the new Husky Stadium and a key game in a very important season for Coach Sarkisian’s legacy at Washington, it seems like a given that extra attention should be paid to these Broncos.

A solid place to look for info on Boise State’s football team? Uh, The depth chart. I’m not going to give you the play by play of me reading a depth chart, but I will point out some things that seem important or interesting enough to note. Also, I’ll be going off of this depth chart released about a week ago.

-The Broncos are replacing six starters on offense and six starters on defense. Not quite as bad as the 9 defensive starters lost last year, and obviously the team did just fine handling that bump in the road, given the 11-2 record, but just because a new group of guys was able to pretty seamlessly step up last season doesn’t mean it’s a given in 2013.

-Good size and experience at wide receiver. #1 starter Matt Miller is a 6’3″ 218-pound junior. His #2 Geraldo Boldewijn is a 6’4″ redshirt senior. Kirby Moore (yes, Kellen’s brother) is 6’3″ and 206 pounds as a senior, and is listed as the starting slot receiver. They have all been on the team awhile, but Miller is the only third of the trio that has been all that productive on-field. He caught 66 balls for 769 yards and 5 scores a year ago. Meanwhile Kirby has never had more than 400 yards or 2 touchdowns in a season, and Geraldo’s impact has been minimal in past seasons.

-Left side of the offensive line is old, the right side is a little green. The projected starters at left tackle, left guard, and center are all three redshirt seniors, with Charles Leno Jr considered a standout at tackle. Meanwhile the right guard and right tackle are both redshirt sophomores. Also, for whatever it’s worth (it may be worth nothing) right tackle Reeds Odhiambo is the only projected starter on the line weighing over 300 pounds (309).

-Looking a little lean in the secondary. Both projected starters at corner stand 5’9″, redshirt junior Bryan Douglas weighing in at 170 and redshirt sophomore Donte Deayon listed at 151. Let’s play the hypothetical game and assume Washington starts Kasen Williams on one side and true freshman Damore’ea Stringfellow on the other. That matches up the 6’2″ 215-pound (listed…I’m pretty sure he’s up to 225 or so this year) Kasen Williams with a corner five inches shorter and right around 40-50 pounds lighter than him. On the other side, the 6’3″ 225-pound Stringfellow would have a shocking six inches and 75 pounds over his defender. Uhm. Okay.