The Orlando Sentinel's College Gridiron 356 blog has the first Army preview of the year.
It's a brief piece focusing mostly on starters lost and standout returnees. We're familiar with the strengths of this team but the effect of their impact in 2012 is an unknown quantity. Senior QB Trent Steelman is the focal point of the offense when he plays and the main topic of discussion when he's out.
Simply put, when Steelman plays he's Army's best offensive player - when he doesn't the team suffers.
Army's College Gridiron's preseason ranking is #103 - low in my book, but it can certainly be argued considering some of the talent that's leaving the defense.
How Army does this season will depend on getting a great start on the year. Without winning 2 of the first 3 the Cadets will either be scrambling to get bowl eligible or simply playing out the season for their shot at Navy. This season comes down to redemption for the guys that played last year, and paying back some of the teams that undressed Army. Here's a look at the 2012 slate:
"Weaknesses: With five returning starters from 2010, the defense had its struggles, giving up close to 30 points per game. Experience and size will be a factor for Army this season. The defensive line is vastly inexperienced with the five starters having only four games of total experience between them. Junior Robert Kough will be back to anchor the group despite missing all of last season with injury. Pressure will fall on the linebackers and secondary to step up and slow down a myriad of different offenses that the team will face this season. Geoffery Bacon returns for his sophomore season at linebacker and will be called upon to be wherever the football is. Senior Josh Jackson will lead the secondary defense."
2012 Schedule
Sept. 8 at San Diego State
Sept. 15 Northern Illinois
Sept. 22 at Wake Forest
Sept. 29 Stony Brook
Oct. 6 Boston College
Oct. 13 Kent State
Oct. 20 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 27 Ball State
Nov. 3 Air Force
Nov. 10 at Rutgers
Nov. 17 Temple
Dec. 8 vs. Navy
Look for more Army previews in the coming weeks - there should be a lot more appearing in the near future.
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