Returning Starters on Offense – 6 The switch to the West Coast offense will certainly help the Lobos in the absence of Moore and it will play to the team’s strengths. Senior quarterback Kole McKamey will be starting for the third straight season and while a new scheme can be tough to throw in, he should be able to adjust well. He did lose his top receiver from a season ago but Travis Brown and Marcus Smith provide a potent one-two punch. The offensive line, like every other year is enormous, coming in at an average of 319 pounds. The biggest question mark however is at tailback as the leading returning ground gainer is McKamey. There is a huge amount of optimism for Martelius Epps, a converted cornerback who owns the all-time New Mexico vertical jump record and runs a 4.3 40. The Lobos were 40th in the country in scoring offense and 43rd in total offense last season and we should expect bigger things this year.

Returning Starters on Defense – 4 The defense was extremely inconsistent last year and the 29.7 ppg allowed was 11 points per game higher than what it allowed in 2004. Changes have been made from the coaches to the playbook to the schemes and all should benefit greatly. The playbook will be simplified which will allow the unit to be more aggressive, similar to successful previous campaigns. This will be a smallish defense that will rely on speed and that is why a second ‘rover’ has been added to the mix. The passing defense finished 93rd in the country last season and must replace both corners so things might not be getting much better in the secondary. The whole defensive line needs to be replaced as well and after allowing the most yards per carry in six years, the Lobos might have their work cut out for them once again.