Boise State Football: 5 Weakest Positions to Worry About

The Boise State Broncos enter 2012 with the huge job of rebuilding a team that was considered arguably the best in school history.

It will be a monumental task, but Coach Petersen is certainly up for the challenge.

Some of the positions will be easier to find replacements than others. However, players like Doug Martin, Billy Winn, Shea McClellin and Kellen Moore will be nearly impossible to equal.

This season will probably be the most challenging in the Petersen era, and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

There are key positions that Bronco fans should be more worried about than others when it comes to the players that are "next up." Let's take a look at them and the challenges that will face Boise State in 2012.

Quarterback

So, how do the Broncos top Kellen Moore?

They don't. However, Boise State can hope for a good quarterback to come out of the crop of four talented players currently on their roster who are all competing for the starting spot.

There is not much more that can be said about that quarterback competition right now, except for the fact that both Joe Southwick and Nick Patti looked better in the spring game than many expected.

The race seems to be between Southwick and Patti, and it doesn't look like either Jimmy Laughrea or Grant Hedrick will be catching up any time soon. Of course, that could all change come August when the weather and the QB battle heats up again.

Still, no matter who wins the starting job, the position of quarterback will be weaker for the Broncos in 2012. It is hard to believe that any of these guys could compare to Kellen Moore in their first season at the helm.

The lack of experience and true leadership at this position should get better as the year goes on, but don't expect anyone to say that they don't miss No. 11.

Defensive Line

The defensive line for the Broncos in 2012 will be good. However, it will not be great, which is what the line was in 2011.

Boise State does have some key players returning—Michael Atkinson, Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe and Darren Koontz, just to name a few. They will also have junior college transfer Demarcus Lawrence, who looked great this spring, and Sam Ukwuachu, who also impressed.

Again, it's not that the defensive line won't be decent, it's just that they won't have the depth, experience or overall talent as last year's squad.

It will be interesting to see if this group gels early. If they do, by the end of the season they could be all kinds of special themselves.

Safety

The position of safety will be another concern this season for Boise State. Both the free safety and strong safety slots have some questions.

Jeremy Ioane looks like he is ready, and Lee Hightower should also be ready to step up. However, beyond those two there are big questions.

Taylor Loffler was certainly going to be in the mix until he re-aggravated a knee injury. If he gets healthy by the time fall camp rolls around, he may be able to contribute so long as he remains healthy.

Redshirt senior Hazen Moss is another possible candidate to step in and play safety, and so is Darian Thompson. The latter is a redshirt freshman who has yet to play a down for the Broncos in live game action.

Also, look for local high school standout and redshirt freshman Dillon Lukehart to be in the mix.

Overall, however, the position of safety is slim. In 2012 the Broncos are going to need players to step up and fill the void.

Punter

Anyone who watched the Boise State blue-and-orange spring game knows that punting is an issue right now for the Broncos.

Trevor Harman had a very difficult time getting the ball to cooperate with his foot.

Special teams are a key to the Bronco's success, and field position is a big part of that. If Boise State can't pin opposing teams back and win the field position game, it puts a lot of pressure on other areas.

This can bring the Broncos out of their game plan and create distraction rather than the kind of rhythm a successful team needs on both offense and defense.

Another kicker joins the team in August: Sean Wale out of La Habra, California. He should force other players to get better.

Let's hope for the Broncos and their fans he does just that.

Speaking of Kickers

Readers are tired of reading it, writers are tired of writing it and fans are tired of it ,period.

The Boise State Broncos field-goal and extra-point kicking struggles. They have become legendary.

It is appropriate that it involves a foot, considering it has been the Achilles' heel of the Broncos.

You have to wonder if coach Petersen has nightmares about missed kicks going wide right. No doubt, it is a huge frustration for him and his coaching staff.

With so many kickers on scholarship, you have to believe there are going to be high stakes when fall camp ensues.

Look for newcomer Sean Wale to add another dynamic to the contest. At this point it is anyone's guess who wins out, but Jake Van Ginkel did make a 37-yard field goal in the spring game. That was much better than the missed extra point by Dan Goodale.

For the sake of all of Bronco Nation, let's hope and pray that 2012 is not defined by another missed field goal. If it is, expect Chris Petersen's hair to complete the graying process.

Running Backs

The position of running back is perhaps the biggest concern for Boise State. Which is saying something, considering all the players they had to replace in every other area.

D.J. Harper is clearly the starter, and Drew Wright is clearly the backup. However, beyond those two, there are really no other players who can clearly step up.

High hopes are riding on incoming true freshman Jack Fields and Devan Demas. One or both of these guys will need to contribute.

Still, you have to believe Petersen will have something up his sleeve. Look for the possibility of converting some defensive backs or linebackers to running back.

The Broncos will need at least four of five guys who can contribute in this area to make it through the brutality of a season.

They have two, but who else will be there come fall? It is anyone's guess at this point, but it will definitely be a hot topic when practice starts August 4.