With a starting quarterback who transferred from Alabama and a sophomore running back who led the Big Sky Conference in rushing, no wonder there is excitement surrounding this year's Weber State team.

The pieces are in place for Weber State's offense to keep fans entertained and the team in most ball games.

The biggest question surrounding this year's team might be how well it will defend the end zone.

Much of that will depend on Weber State's defensive front line that includes Pate Moleni (6-foot-2, 275 pounds), Rio Stotler (6-1, 295), Derek Johnson (6-2, 290) and Bryce Scanlon (6-3, 290).

Moleni led the team in sacks with 6.5 last year. Other players that should be a key to the defense are Snow College transfer J.D. Folsom at linebacker and sophomore safety Beau Hadley.

"I think we'll be a sleeping giant," said former Springville running back Trevyn Smith. "People have no respect for Weber State -- none whatsoever. There's no reason we can't be good. We've probably doubled our talent level from last year and we've added some great coaches."

New offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, who coached quarterbacks last season, will work with the team's biggest off-season recruit: Jimmy Barnes, a sophomore quarterback who transferred from Alabama.

Smith didn't start the first two games of the year last season, but turned heads when he got the starting job. He broke out with a huge game against Southern Utah when he rushed for 186 yards. Smith finished the season as the team's leading rusher by a mile. He had 1,182 yards and averaged 102 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry.

Smith is primed for another big year behind what looks to be an effective offensive line that is led by offensive tackle Davis Hale (6-6, 305 Sr.). Hale has played and started in 25 straight games and is considered one of the top 10 offensive tackles in Division I-FCS this season. Weber returns both guards. Dimitri Tsoumpas (6-4, 300 Sr.) and Kyle Mutcher (6-3, 285 So.) are back to give the line stability.

Another player to watch is electric wide receiver/return specialist Bryant Eteuati, who played in just eight games but made the most of his return attempts. He had 19 kickoff returns for an average of 27.9 per return and a 100-yard TD return against Montana.

Another former Springville product, wide receiver Zac Ereksen, has transferred into the Weber State program from BYU.

Overall, it's a group that Ron McBride believes can turn some heads in the Big Sky. McBride is now in his third season at Weber State and should be celebrating his 100th career win as a head coach this year. He has an overall record of 98-75-0 in 13 seasons at Utah and two at Weber State.

McBride took over the WSU reigns in 2005 and guided the Wildcats to a 6-5 mark. The Wildcats were 1-10 the previous season.

Weber State was picked to finish sixth in the 2007 Big Sky Conference race by the head coaches and media members.

Montana was the overwhelming favorite in both polls with Portland State second.

"I never worry about where we're picked," McBride said. "I've seen teams picked seventh and win first. You have to earn the respect."

Weber State and the Big Sky Conference had been playing at the NCAA Division I-AA level, but it now it will be called NCAA Division I-FCS, as in Football Championship Subdivision.

There are 122 schools in NCAA Division I-FCS in 2007 and unlike Division I college football, the Division I-FCS will get a true champion. The 16-team playoff begins on Nov. 24 with first round games and culminates with the national championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Friday, Dec. 14.

The Wildcats have never won an outright conference title, but have shared it three times, the last of which came in 1987. They haven't reached the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) playoffs since 1991.

It shouldn't take long for Wildcat fans to see if this team is capable of contending for the conference title.

Weber State opens the season with three of its first four games on the road including the season opener at Boise State.