OBNUG roster update: Running backs

Spring football gets OBNUG in the mood to speculate, so over the next few weeks, we will be making blind guesses as to who will be starting for the Broncos in the fall. We’ll do it position-by-position. Today: Running Back.

Boise State football starting running back

Ideal candidate: This vehicle:

Worst candidate: Ian Johnson 2007

Actual candidates: Ian Johnson, DJ Harper, Jeremy Avery, Doug Martin

OBNUG pick: Ian Johnson

Johnson will win the starting job, but whoever gets to be his back-up will be in good position to replace him next season. We hope it is Doug Martin because we have an unhealthy affection for him and we’ve yet to even see him in person.

Friday's event schedule

Friday is a big day for Boise State athletics with both the football team and the basketball team in action. OBNUG will be at both events, and we'd love to meet you.

• 3:30pm: Spring scrimmage at Bronco Stadium.
• 8:30pm: First-round NCAA tournament in Birmingham, Ala. (tipoff 30 minutes after opening game)

We'll post pictures from the scrimmage and the tournament game as soon as we can, and we'll be live-blogging the TV broadcast of the basketball game. It will be a fun day!

Nevada QB redeems himself

Colin Kaepernick restored the faith of Nevada fans with a four-TD day in the Wolfpack's second spring scrimmage, this after a performance in the first scrimmage that could best be described as "setting offensive football back several years."

The reigning WAC freshman of the year threw touchdown passes of 71, 65 and 55 yards and added a 1-yard rushing score in Saturday's scrimmage, the Wolf Pack's second of the spring.

No word on whether or not the Nevada defense attended the scrimmage.

Non-BCS Notebook [ESPN.com]

OBNUG in Birmingham!

As disappointed as the rest of Bronco Nation was to hear that BSU would be playing its NCAA tournament in the East region and, consequently, in Birmingham, I was a little excited. Being the eastern arm of OBNUG since I live in Nashville, this was a nice surprise. Even more of a surprise, however, was finding out that Boise State would be in the late session on Friday night. Due to the length of the trip and prices of airfare, there were BSU tickets to spare, and I was able to procure myself a pair to the first round game.

So, for those of you able to make the trek or lucky enough to be in close proximity to the game, I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. For those of you who have a job, bills, and a fear of flying, I will attempt to sneak my laptop into the game and upload as many pictures of Billy Packer and Jim Nantz as I can. Go Broncos!

BSU's new offensive look

Word from Boise State spring practice is that the Broncos are implementing Nevada's "Pistol" offense into the playbook. This makes OBNUG feel weird.

The Broncos spent most of the first week of spring ball experimenting with formations and plays that are a combination of Boise State staples, the hip spread offense and — here’s where it gets uncomfortable — the rival Nevada Wolf Pack’s pistol offense.

Go ahead, Chadd Cripe. Tell us more.

The Broncos will place a tailback behind the quarterback in a one-back formation like Nevada. However, they also will put a fullback beside the quarterback for a unique two-back look.

Or, the Broncos might put a tailback or two beside the quarterback in the shotgun formation — setting up the spread option — or place the tailback behind the quarterback and offset like Florida.

Throw in wide receiver Tanyon Bissell or wide receiver Vinny Perretta at quarterback, and things get truly funky.

The goal for the Broncos is to retain their power-running plays while using the shotgun, which allows the quarterback to scan the field and direct the offense more easily than getting under center.

OK, we're sold.

We really like the options that this offense presents. You are a genius, Chris Peterson! A genius! This new formation (which BSU coaches call the "Q") could be an exciting twist to the traditional power runs and shotgun plays. You have our blessing, Boise State coaching staff.

Boise State tinkering with offensive formations... [Idaho Statesman]