COACH: Rich Ellerson — At Army: 15-22, 3 years
OVERALL: 75-63, 12 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ian Shields
DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS: Payam Saadat, Chris Smeland
RETURNING STARTERS: 15; 6 offense, 8 defense, punter
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Trent Steelman, RB Raymond Maples, FB Larry Dixon, C Ryan Powis, DE Jarrett Mackey, DE/LB Zach Watts, LB Geoff Bacon, CB Josh Jackson
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Army led the nation in rushing (346.5) last season and returns its top seven rushers, including Steelman, a three-year starter. Army’s triple-option offense relies on strong interior blocking, which is solid with the return of senior OG Frank Allen, a two-year starter, senior OG Matt Villanti and sophomore C Ryan Powis. This year’s defense will be more versatile, quicker and experienced.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Army fumbled a nation-high 36 times, losing 22, in 2011. The Black Knights worked in the spring to correct the issue but still put footballs on the ground. Army completed three or less passes in nine of 12 games in 2011. Army has improved its size defensively up front but can the line hold up against bigger teams?