We continue our look at each Pac-12 team's nonconference opponents in 2015.

At Boise State, Friday, Sept. 4

• Coach: Bryan Harsin, second year

• 2014 record: 12-2, 7-1 Mountain West

• Returning starters: Nine offense, eight defense

• Offensive headliner: Arizona fans will certainly remember wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck, who was the Fiesta Bowl offensive MVP last year with 12 catches for 199 yards. He led the Broncos with 877 receiving yards last year.

• Defensive headliner: Stud linebacker (the position, and as a way of life) Kamalei Correa earned first-team All-Mountain West honors last year after leading the conference with 12 sacks and was third in tackles for a loss with 19. He also posted 59 tackles (40 solo).

• The skinny: Though they return nine of 11 starters on offense, the two they lost were huge: QB Grant Hendrick and RB Jay Ajayi. The assumption is that Ryan Finley, the only player with some game experience, has the inside edge at QB. Though, Harsin has made it clear the Broncos won’t name a starter until probably 10 days out of the Washington game. In the meantime, it doesn’t hurt that 19 players are represented on Phil Steele’s All-Mountain West preseason team, including all five returning offensive linemen.

Vs. Sacramento State, Sat. Sept. 12

• Coach: Jody Sears, second year

• 2014 record: 7-5, 4-4 Big Sky

• Returning starters: eight offense, five defense

• Offensive headliner: Wide receiver Nnamdi Agude was a second-team all-conference performer last year, tallying 70 catches for 1,156 yards and 10 touchdowns.

• Defensive headliner: After making the move last year from defensive end to linebacker, Darnell Sankey thrived with 99 tackles, including eight for a loss and two sacks. He also had an interception and forced two fumbles.

• The skinny: They lose All-American wide receiver DeAndre Carter, and a three-year starter at quarterback. So there are definitely some offensive holes to fill. But the team is making progress under Sears and should be in the thick of the Big Sky race.

Vs. Utah State, Sat. Sept. 19

• Coach: Matt Wells, third year

• 2014 record: 10-4, 6-2 Mountain West

• Returning starters: 10 offense, seven defense

• Offensive headliner: Quarterback Chuckie Keeton (yeah, that guy is still around) is potentially one of the most dynamic players in the country -- but a pair of knee injuries in consecutive seasons cut short a burgeoning Heisman campaign.

• Defensive headliner: Linebacker Nick Vigil was a first-team All-Mountain West pick a year ago after posting 123 tackles, including 16.5 for a loss and seven sacks while forcing five fumbles and notching one interception.

• The skinny: This is not a team to be taken lightly. It beat a ranked BYU team last year, pushed Utah and USC two years ago and knocked off the Utes in double OT in Wells’ first year as head coach. Two of the past three years they have beaten a ranked team (though neither were from a Power 5 league). Still, Keeton participated fully in spring ball. And if he’s near his 2013 form, it’s going to be scary for any defense.

Thoughts: This portion of the Pac-12 blog is already on record saying that the Boise State matchup is the most intriguing of the nonconference games. The reasons are obvious. You have Washington coach Chris Petersen returning to Boise State … the program he built from BCS buster to America’s adopted team come bowl season. If you’re not worried about the Broncos, Washington fans, you should be. With an entire offseason to think about it and prepare, this is a team that can beat anyone in the country – anyone! – with enough prep time. And five returning offensive linemen isn’t what you want to face while you’re rebuilding a defensive front. A loss does more damage than a win does good -- though a victory will certainly be encouraging considering all of the issues the Huskies have (QB, defensive replacements etc.). Keep in mind, too, that Boise State has only lost four home games since 1999 (WSU in ’01, Boston College in ‘05 in a bowl game they hosted, TCU in ’11 and San Diego State in ’12). Sacramento State shouldn’t be that much of a threat … depending on the team’s spirits after the season opener. Utah State is scary, especially if the dynamic Keeton is truly back and healthy. A 3-0 start sets the Huskies up nicely -- and the potential is certainly there for that. But a 2-1 start, or worse, will quickly bring out the second-guessers.