Preview 2009 Colorado State Opponents: Weber State Wildcats

Weber State is a team from the FCS division but they are one of the better teams.  Last year, the Wildcats went 10-4 and made the playoffs last year. 

Even though Weber is a FCS school, the Rams should not take them lightly, because the Wildcats return every stat leader from last year's team from the skill positions.

The 2008 Wildcats put up 35 points per game last year, and their defense which did not have do all that well, gave up a below-average 22 per game. 

Expect the same on offense for Weber, because when they return a 4,000-plus starting passer in 2008 with Cameron Higgins, plus toss in more experience with the top targets back they will be tough.

Passing	Com%	Yards	TD	INT
Cameron Higgins	65.5	4,460	36	13
Rushing	Carries	Yards	Yards Per Carry	TD
Trevyn Smith	295	1,585	5.4	21
Justin White	30	209	7.0	2
Receiving	Catches	Yards	Yards Per Catch	TD
Tim Toone	84	1,525	18.2	7
Trevyn Smith	62	778	12.5	7
Cody Nakamura	48	729	15.2	10

Football mastermind Phil Steele rates Weber as his 21st-rated FCS school, now that is down from their regular season finale ranking of ninth, but the offensive fire power they will be dangerous. 

Even though Weber is playing Colorado State and Wyoming, do not be surprised if they put up a good fight, because last year, Weber put up 21 points on Utah and gave Hawai’i a scare.

The depth is where Weber is not comparable to either of their FBS opponents this year, and if Weber loses their starting quarterback or any other starter, their season is in trouble. 

Back to the threats on Weber: their top three wideouts average of 12 yards per catch; that is so amazing. The way Weber spreads the ball, any defense will need top-notch cornerbacks to control the Weber wideouts.

Then the running game, with 1,500 yard rusher Trevyn Smith is another way for Weber to pound a team out, and he has a nose for the touchdown as he had an amazing 21 touchdowns from last year.  Oh yeah, he also had a 5.4-yard per carry average.

As for the defense, Weber just needs to try to stop or slow down their opponents who have bigger and faster athletes, and if they are able to keep these teams under 20, there is a good shot of upsetting one of their two FBS opponents. 

A return trip to the FCS playoffs is possible for Weber State they just need to get through the Montana schools in the Big Sky conference to make it. 

Colorado State and Wyoming better watch out, because with the amount of offense returning, do not be shocked.