Tulsa (link to depth chart)
What stands out: Tulsa returns many of its key offensive contributors, but one new entrant into the starting lineup, Will Farniok, gets the nod at center.
Why that could be important: A good center can be hard to find and the Golden Hurricane found themselves unexpectedly having to replace a pretty good one after incumbent Gerard Wheeler, a three-year starter, medically retired this off-season. Farniok, a former Nebraska transfer, has only seen playing time in eight games through his career to date but he did step in for Wheeler during last year’s Myrtle Beach Bowl and played well, so they’re likely confident that the line won’t miss a beat.
Alabama (link to depth chart)
What stands out: The Tide are obviously loaded for bear, but one key newcomer who will be under pressure to keep things humming is left tackle Tyler Steen.
Why that could be important: One of the few likely avenues for Utah State’s chances at an upset will revolve around just how much pressure they can get on Bryce Young. Yes, that’s easier said than done, but while Steen started 33 straight games at Vanderbilt before transferring to Tuscaloosa, he was more adequate than fine: According to Pro Football Focus, his highest overall grade in any season is 66.8. It’s a slim glimmer of hope, but slim is better than none.
Maine (link to game notes, depth chart on page 6)
What stands out: The Black Bears have had to retool at wide receiver, where the trio of Kobay White, Montigo Moss, and Zavier Scott will get first crack at solving the Lobos secondary.
Why that could be important: One of Maine’s biggest questions this off-season concerned how they would replace their top two pass catchers from 2021, Andre Miller and Devin Young. Scott and Moss appeared in 11 and nine games, respectively, while White, a Boston College transfer, is a true wild card. He missed all of 2020 and nearly all of 2021 with injuries, but he led the Eagles in receptions through back-to-back seasons before that, 2018 and 2019. If health is on his side, he’ll be a potentially big asset for quarterback Joe Fagnano.
Oregon State (link to depth chart)
What stands out: We knew that Omar Speights would hold down one inside linebacker spot, but redshirt senior Kyrel Fisher-Morris gets the nod to start opposite him and replace departed star Avery Roberts.
Why that could be important: Roberts was invaluable as someone who could create havoc, as he led the Beavers with 9.5 tackles for loss and contributed 2.5 sacks, as well. The linebackers, in general were most likely to get in the backfield, so one key against Boise State is whether Fisher-Morris and the other new starter in that unit, John McCartan, can step up and do the same.
Western Kentucky (link to depth chart)
What stands out: It took a while for Bailey Zappe’s heir apparent to establish himself, but Austin Reed beat out Jarret Doege for the QB1 job in fall camp and has already led the Hilltoppers to a season-opening victory over Austin Peay.
Why that could be important: Hawaii had a wealth of defensive issues last Saturday against Vanderbilt and now must deal with a former Division II national champion. His WKU wasn’t flawless (20-of-34, 280 yards, four touchdowns, one interception), but he flashed enough to think that the Warriors may run into those same problems again this weekend if they can’t make fixes in practice.
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