Boise State looks to once again continue the success that has been established under head coach Chris Petersen. The Broncos are the only FBS program that has 10-or-more wins in each of the last seven seasons and that is largely due to Petersen, the winningest active coach in the FBS. 

The schedule is definitely backloaded for Boise State, who were co-champions of the league last year, along with Fresno State and San Diego State. Each team posted 7-1 conference marks in the final year of the league as a 10-team conference. 

Boise closes its 2013 slate with four straight conference road games against some of the league’s better teams - Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State. The last two games in particular could go a long way in deciding who plays for the conference title in December.

The Broncos return 12 starters, including five on either side of the ball, from the team that beat Washington in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas. Fifth-year senior quarterback Joe Southwick is back after throwing for 2,730 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. Southwick is one of four fifth-year seniors back to lead the offense. 

The others are left tackle Charles Leno, Jr., center Matt Paradis and wideout Kirby Moore. Redshirt junior receiver Matt Miller is the other returning offensive starter. Moore and Miller give Southwick sizable options on the outside. Both are 6-foot-3 and combined for 102 catches for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns last season. 

The Broncos will have to find a replacement for running back DJ Harper, who has moved on after rushing for 1,137 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. Sophomore Jay Ajayi is the probable choice after rushing for 548 yards and four scores as a redshirt freshman. Sophomore Jack Fields, who totaled 135 yards on the ground last year, should see increased playing time.

"I think we’re making progress there," Petersen said about the run game this spring. "We’ll put the tape on, but it’s been fairly consistent a lot of spring." 

The Broncos defense allowed just 15.8 points per game and forced 36 turnovers with a plus 20 turnover margin. The defense will again be led by end Demarcus Lawrence, who tallied 9.5 sacks as a redshirt sophomore. The 6-3, 244-pound Aiken, S.C., native will be joined by senior tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, sophomore end Sam Ukwuachu, and safeties Jeremy Ioane and Darian Thompson as returning starters on a unit that led the MWC and ranked 12th nationally in total defense. 

The biggest losses were at linebacker and cornerback, where leading tackler J.C. Perry and top corner Jamar Taylor have graduated. But there's a reason the Broncos have seven straight 10-win seasons, they have great depth. Defensive linemen Tyler Horn and Corey Bell, linebacker Blake Renaud and cornerbacks Bryan Douglas, Donte Deayon and Ebo Makinde should all help keep the Broncos among the league's best.

Boise State will have a new placekicker, but senior punter Trevor Harman is back while Shane Williams-Rhodes returns to handle kick return duties and will likely handle punt return duties as well. Junior receiver Dallas Burroughs could also be in the mix.

Boise's recruiting class includes 19 freshmen and several junior college transfers - cornerbacks Cleshawn Page and Mercy Maston, running back Derrick Thomas, kicker Tyler Raush and defensive tackles Justin Taimatuia and Tutulupeatau Mataele.