STRENGTHS · Senior cornerback Stanley Franks is one of the few stars in new head coach Robb Akey’s show. Akey inherits a 4-8 team from Dennis Erickson, who left after one season for a return engagement in the Pac-10. Franks led the nation with nine interceptions (.75 a game) and returned one 98 yards for a touchdown vs. Utah State.

Senior linebacker David Vobora was seventh nationally in total tackles with 134. Sophomore safety Shiloh Keo also returns after finishing second on the team in tackles with 72.

Running back Jayson Bird is the lone returning impact player on offense. He finished second on the team in rushing with 506 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

WEAKNESS ·Losing a coach like Erickson hit Idaho below the belt. He left the program in a state of flux that Akey has to fix as quickly as possible.

The Vandals do have six games at home, but open on the road against pre-season No. 1 Southern California and go to Washington State two weeks later. Two weeks after that bruising start, Idaho hosts Hawaii in its WAC opener, putting the Vandals in a precarious position.

With no proven quarterback or breakaway threat returning at wide receiver, Akey will need time to field an offense capable of matching the high-powered engines of the WAC.