Cornerback
With senior Jaren Hayes working his way back onto the team after an off-field incident, the team has gone to senior Ashton Watson and junior Demond Williams to fill the two corner spots.
Williams, a junior college transfer, was competing all summer with sophomore Irving Campbell, a converted wide receiver, for the spot opposite Watson.
"Every guy we have in the secondary has the potential to play," Williams said.
Campbell had a chance to start before hurting his shoulder. He just returned to practice this week and is expected to play. Sophomore Travis Key also was battling for a spot. Freshman Ross Weaver rounds out the depth chart.
Kicker
Junior John Goss seems to be the one who will take the place of Dave Rayner.
Goss, for now, is expected to handle kickoff and place-kicking duties.
Head coach John L. Smith said junior Kyle Mayer was in the race last week, but it appears that Goss has won the job.
Goss is listed second on the punting depth chart as well.
"I've been trying to stay consistent," he said.
Quarterback
Junior Drew Stanton is the undisputed starter for the team, but the battle has been as to who will back him up.
Stephen Reaves was the leading candidate before he transferred to Southern Mississippi, and now the competition has come down to redshirt freshman Brian Hoyer and true freshman Domenic Natale.
Hoyer, with a year of experience under his belt, has pulled away from Natale. But Smith expressed confidence in all his quarterbacks when he said recently he has started opening up the playbook.
"I don't think that, as far as the playbook goes, they have to take a step back with me in there," Hoyer said.
"I feel pretty comfortable with everything we have in there now."
Tight end
Senior Ryan Woods and sophomore Kellen Davis have been battling for the spot, with Woods listed as No. 1 on the depth chart for now. Also in the mix is redshirt freshman Dwayne Holmes.
"All three bring different types of aspects (to the game)," offensive coordinator and tight end coach Dave Baldwin said. "I think that's good."
Baldwin said that Woods is the team's best blocker at the position with soft hands, while Holmes is very physical, but he expects Davis to see a majority of the snaps. However, all three could be in the game at the same time.
Running back
While senior Jason Teague is the starter, sophomore Jehuu Caulcrick and freshman Javon Ringer are both expected to see significant time to fill in the shoes of DeAndra Cobb.
Ringer impressed the coaching staff during camp with his explosiveness, while Caulcrick is expected to remain the big bruiser that he was last season.
"Me and Jehuu get an equal amount of playing time," Teague said.
"I trust him in the game, I know he trusts me. We're pulling for each other."
New running backs coach Ben Sirmans is familiar with Saturday's opponent. He left Kent State for MSU.
