Utah State University

Type of Offense: Spread.  Zone read running plays and nearly all passing plays from the shotgun formation.  There is rare to no use of a fullback.  Tight End is used primarily as a blocking back (extra OL).  Nearly all runs are made by the RB and QB save the occasional end around with the WR.

Type of Defense: 4-3. Fast OLBs with the WLB being stronger in pass coverage and the SLB being stouter versus the run. MLB is balanced and expected to make most of the tackles, especially versus the run game. A lot of Cover 2 with the MLB expected to get deep (15 yards) on a pass play. Corners on an island playing the edges with help over top. Gap responsibilities on the run game with DL and LB filling gaps and DE normally containing on the edge. This is an offshoot of the 4-3 with the WLB being replaced with a roverback who is a DB playing a “roving” WLB position with a lot of freedom.

· Run/Pass %: 62/38

· Run/Pass Attempts: 528/324

· Points Per Game: 22.0

· Points Allowed Per Game: 33.8

Key Returning Players:

· Dontel Watkins, WR: Surprisingly was the leading receiver in 2010 by a large margin as a sophomore who was expected to be a backup last season. Will be expected to be a leader on offense as a junior and should easily break the 42 catches he made in 2010.

· Bobby Wagner, Rover: With the freedom of his rover position on the defense, Wagner was able to accumulate 133 tackles including 8 TFLs. While it will be hard to get another 133 tackles in 2011, Wagner has an always running motor and just may do it.

Key Incoming Freshmen:

· Johnson and Anderson, WR: These two 3 star WRs will have a strong chance to get on the field behind Watkins and get some catches. Watkins has 42 catches which was 30 more than the 2^nd place receiver on the team in 2010. So there is a wide open race to catch balls at Utah State.

· Parker Hausknecht, LB: This 3 star LB out of Utah has great speed (4.6) but lacks the size that a MLB can play at. Look for him to move to the outside and play the SLB and eventually take over for Wagner as Rover.

Overall Assessment: A team needs all three aspects of play to have a good season. Utah State lacked offensively which pulled down the other two parts of the game and led to a 4-8 record and missing a chance at a bowl game. Unless the passing game steps up and makes some more plays, a 4-8 record could be easily duplicated in 2011. If the offense makes some plays and allows the defense to rest, then 7 wins is completely possible.