CeDarius Williams News

Brad Marren isn't going to be the player sitting on the bench during a sideline pep talk Saturday.

He sat as close to the field as he could, near the "Rabble Rousers." Army scored on its opening drive.

They barely sniffed the field on Saturdays last season. Most played on the scout team, preparing Army for its next opponent.

National college football experts aren't giving Army much of a chance in 2009. Army was ranked no higher than 102nd in four preseason rankings of all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

College football shifts into high gear this week with a couple of Top 25 games Thursday and a full slate Saturday.

Head coach: Rich Ellerson 1st year 10th year overall: 60-41 Returning Lettermen Off 12, Def 17, ST 2 Lettermen Lost: 46 Ten Best Army Players 1..DE Josh McNary, Jr.

Army has made several position changes, but none stand out more than shifting offensive lineman -- 6-10, 300-pound offensive lineman -- Ali Villanueva to ... wide receiver? "The best thing about it is he is the world's biggest smoke screen," said Army coach Rich Ellerson.

Another week of spring practice is in the books. Here's some of the news coming from around the country as we head into the weekend.