COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: #95 SAN DIEGO STATE

OFFENSE

San Diego State’s offense will lack star power with four-year starting quarterback Ryan Lindley and standout running back Ronnie Hillman off to the NFL. Former Oregon State signal-caller Ryan Katz had the edge coming out of spring ball and  is a virtual certainty to hold off Adam Dingwell for the starting gig. Katz brings experience and a strong arm but was inconsistent with the Beavers and was eventually supplanted as the starter. Dingwell has thrown only one career pass and is an unknown commodity.

Replacing Hillman’s 1,711 rushing yards won’t be easy, and it won’t be done by any one player. Adam Muema had some impressive moments when Hillman was injured last season and appears to be the frontrunner. Muema rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries last year vs. Boise State. Walter Kazee will be a factor if he recovers from a knee injury that ended his season in mid-November. Kazee had at least one carry of 10 yards or more in seven of the nine games he played in last season.

Tight end Gavin Escobar is one of the top players in the Mountain West. USC transfer Brice Butler will add to a receiver group that is led by Colin Lockett and Dylan Denso.

READ MORE: http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25/san-diego-state-2012