But longtime Eastern Washington coach Paul Wulff is optimistic entering his fourth season as head coach, despite saying the league is the toughest its been since his arrival in Cheney 11 years ago.
‘‘If this team can stay healthy and continue to improve I really believe we have a chance to be champion,'' Wulff said. ‘‘Obviously, the other seven teams in the league are saying the same thing right now but I think that this team has got some unique characteristics to it. We're building, we're not there yet, but we're building a lot of confidence on this football team.''
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Whether that confidence is warranted depends on how the holes on offense are filled -- and if the defense can fill holes.
‘‘The focus in camp has been stopping the run and running the ball,'' veteran offensive tackle and co-captain Kurt Sigler said. ‘‘We've got to be able to do those two things. That really brings competition to camp and makes both sides of the ball better.''
Offense has been the Eagles trademark in recent years as first Fred Salanoa and then Josh Blankenship rewrote the record book for quarterbacks. But even with those seniors slinging the ball, Jesse Chatman and then Jovan Griffith pushed EWU's record of producing 1,000-yard rushers to eight straight years.
‘‘We were blessed the last two years to have senior quarterbacks and proven running backs. Most offenses in college when you play with seniors, particularly at quarterback, have an advantage,'' Wulff said. ‘‘This year we're heading into it with inexperience at those two spots. We still have talent. Guys will step up.''
Wulff has said he isn't afraid of splitting time at quarterback between sophomore Erik Meyer, last year's backup, and redshirt freshman Sklyer Allen. Meyer had good numbers in mop-up situations, as did running back candidates Darius Washington, a senior, and Reggie Witherspoon, a junior.
‘‘We feel we have a couple of running backs who will be solid for us and maybe have breakout years,'' Wulff said. ‘‘At quarterback we have inexperience but talent. There will be some growing pains but we're going to do some things to take pressure off them early and let them mature.''
Four starters -- and four others who have started -- return on the line, only two seniors among them. There are two seniors starting at wideout, Kyler Randall and Joe Pierce, who were first and third on the team in receiving last year. The third receiver is sophomore sensation Eric Kimball, who moved to the position after the season started, finished second on the team and earned AllConference second-team honors.
Tight end is a concern since all-leaguer Tim Calhoun didn't recover from off-season ankle surgery and won't play this season. Junior Chris Cwik is a capable starter but depth is a problem, prompting Kevin Schmidt's return from the defensive line to his original position.
‘‘It's great when you have a couple of people fighting for the same position. They're not going to be tempted to take a play off here and there,'' Sigler said. ‘‘We have the opportunity and potential to be very good. What we choose to do with that is to be determined.''
Wulff said most of the offensive changes that come with new coordinator Beau Baldwin, who replaces Timm Rosenbach, are subtle. That's not true for the defense and new coordinator Jody Sears.
‘‘Everybody is loving the new defense,'' senior defensive tackle and co-captain Brandon Myers said. ‘‘We ran this defense in the spring. It seems to put everyone in good position. We've got to stop the run, some games we gave up 300 yards on the ground. This defense will stop that. I'm loving it.''
According to the new terminology, linebacker Jessy Hanson is now a safety, but the other seven returning starters return to the same positions.
‘‘The kids we have recruited the last three years are starting to play and you're going to see a tremendous amount of speed on defense,'' Wulff said. ‘‘I don't know if we've had this type of speed in a long time. We're going to be an attacking, more aggressive style of defense. Hopefully we'll have a lot more three-and-outs, force more turnovers. There may be a big play given up because of it but we feel we can't wait for things to happen.''
Special teams are in capable hands with punter Jesse Nicassio and kicker Rich Heintz, both seniors.
On the sidelines
Head coach: Paul Wulff, 11th year at EWU and fourth as head coach, 19-14 record. Assistants: Beau Baldwin, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks; Jody Sears, defensive coordinator/linebackers; Joe Wade, running backs; Keith Murphy, wide receivers/special teams; Jimmy Lake, secondary; Chris Hansen, assistant secondary coach; Rich Rasmussen, tight ends; Malik Roberson, defensive line; Aaron Best, offensive line; Darin Lovat, strength and conditioning; Luke Vincent, student assistant defense; Chris Samms, student assistant offense.In the stands
Stadium: Woodward Field (7,000).
How to get there: From Spokane, follow I-90 westbound. Take the Cheney/Medical Lake exit. Turn right onto West Salnave Road. Turn left onto West First, then turn right onto College Avenue.
Season tickets: Packages range from $50 for general admission to $85 for premium reserved or $110 for a family of five.
Individual game tickets: Prices range from $10 to $15, or $25 for a family.
Note: Tickets for the Nov. 8 game against Montana State at Spokane's Albi Stadium will be sold at general admission prices.
Info: Call 359-4339 or 1-866-4GO-EAGS.
On the air
Larry Weir is back for his 13th season doing EWU play-by-play. Joining him as the color commentator for the third year is Mike MacKenzie.
Games are aired on KFAN, 790-AM and KEWU, 89.5-FM.