Wily Charlie Weatherbie returns for his seventh season in Monroe still awaiting that breakout season. Many thought it was possible in 2005, and they had Arkansas beat in the second game last year but never really recovered after blowing a late lead and missing a field goal for the win in Little Rock. Weatherbie sensed that the 3-3-5 defense could be a good fit for his defense, which has good athleticism and quickness and often confuses opponents with its pre-snap looks. When New Mexico let go of Rocky Long, Weatherbie immediately brought in UNM defensive coordinator Troy Reffert to try to get the 3-3-5 installed during the spring. Without much depth or size up front, it was only natural to get it up and running before the fall.

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The War Hawks (nee Indians) forced only 13 turnovers last fall, ranked 109th against the run and gave up SIX yards per carry. The D-line is one of the better ones in the league, with three senior starters. Nine starters return in all on defense. On the other side, explosive QB Kinsmon Lancaster departs, but he often created off-field trouble. Weatherbie, who also calls the plays, installed a hurry-up, no-huddle attack in the spring. He's hoping it will allow whoever wins the QB job to get big-play wideouts Darrell McNeal and Anthony McCall the ball. The veteran O-line was not used to the tempo at the end of spring, though, and that deserves monitoring into September. Tough RB Frank Goodin figures to threaten 1,000 yards rushing.

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